Profs ready to carry fall success into winter Athletics season

After an impressive start to the 2026-27 Athletics year, Rowan University's teams are looking to carry the momentum into the winter season.

Men’s Swimming

Head Coach Brad Bowser brought in a large freshman class of 12 to the team this season, hoping to make a splash with a new-look group. 

“Having 12 new freshmen on the team has really blossomed the older guys to step up,” said Bowser.

One of those “older guys” is Braden Sheehan, who medaled in four different events at NJAC Championships last season. He finished with a gold medal in the 200-yard backstroke, with a time of 1:47.56. Sheehan also owns the program record in the 200-yard individual medley.

“To have a guy able to do 2,000 pullups over the summertime is pretty amazing,” said Bowser of Sheehan’s offseason training. “I’ve never seen that before. That just takes his mentality and his work ethic, and what he wants out of the season, and it puts it all the way into what he’s doing right now.”

After opening the season at Stevens, the Profs will hold their first home meet on October 16 against Montclair State.

Women’s Swimming

The Profs graduated a large senior class of eight swimmers last year, including NCAA Championship qualifiers Kaitlyn Crouthamel and Ella Pennington. Now, the program will turn to a young core to take charge.

“Losing Kaitlyn and Ella are two heavyhitters, but we brought in a wonderful, deep freshman class,” said Head Coach Elise Fisher. “Overall, we have a new team. Fairly young, but [we’re] really excited about what they’re going to put together.”

Rhylee Cornell will be a huge asset to the Profs as a junior, coming off a sophomore season that included a second-place finish at NJAC Championships in the 200-yard breaststroke. Her time of 2:21.74 is the new school record and went down as Cornell’s first individual medal at the conference meet.

Cornell, as well as key returners Lily Pushkar, Lilyanna Martin and Kailey Sheehan, will provide the experience for the Profs' youthful squad, which makes its home debut on October 16 versus Montclair State.

Men’s Basketball

Alumnus Rob DePersia '19 returns to Glassboro this season as the 14th head coach in Profs' history. He’s not coming alone, though, as eight new team members are ready to get the ball rolling on the 2026-27 season.

James Johns Jr. is among the fresh talent, coming off past collegiate experience at Fairfield and West Chester and will look to make an immediate impact on the court for the Profs.

Point guard Wisler Sanon is another transfer with Division I experience, as the senior spent time at St. Francis during the program’s run in the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. He’ll pair up with sophomore Khamai Orange to push the pace for the Profs.

All-Conference selection Khalil Baker provides experience for the young Profs and his scoring and rebounding will aid the cause.

“Everybody is only going to get better,” said DePersia. “We have a really talented group; we have a really deep group. They’re just competing and pushing each other.”

Rowan tips off the season on November 6 by hosting Wilkes, which starts a stretch of six consecutive home games. Among the featured contests is a date with defending NCAA champion Mary Washington on November 21.

Women’s Basketball

The Profs return multiple contributing players from last year’s team, including leading scorers, All-NJAC selection Haley Selmer and Megan Donelson. Abigail Jazmin, who averaged 7.6 points per game, is also back on the court with the Profs this season.

Those experienced athletes will pair up with a talented recruiting class brought in by Head Coach Kate Pearson, with Grace McShane, being a name to watch.

“I think we have a good mix,” said Pearson. “Haley [Selmer] is the only true senior on the team who’s been here all four years. Her growth from her freshman to junior year was great, and we’re just looking for her to go off that in her senior year. I think all of the returners outside of that are going to look to step up in a different way this year.”

The Profs will begin their 2026-27 campaign on the road at Washington College (Md.) on November 7 with the home opener set for November 11 against Brooklyn College.

Men’s Indoor Track & Field

After capturing the NCAA Championship in 2026, the Profs are bringing an extraordinary recruiting class to the track this winter.

Rowan dominated the high jump in 2025 and will look to continue that trend this season with David Brown returning. Brown, a sophomore, placed third at NCAA Indoor Championships, then took first place in the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Noah Wampole, Jamile Gantt, Isaiah Davenport and Arrington Ryhm also will be names to watch in the event.

In the sprints, the Profs return a veteran core of Evan Corcoran, Elijah Hendricks and Rajahn Dixon. Dixon captured the 200-meter title at the NCAA Indoor Championship last season followed by Hendricks in fifth place. Corcoran was an All-American Second Team honoree with a 14th-place finish in the 200m. 

“Our goal is to continue our conference championship streak and defend our indoor national title,” said Head Coach Dustin Dimit. “We feel we’re as good or better than last year. We can’t control what other people do, but we can control being in the best position to put ourselves in contention to win.”

Rowan begins the year on December 5 at the Fasttrack Season Opener at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island, New York.

Women’s Indoor Track & Field

The Profs won their first NJAC Championship since 2017 last season. After graduating some of last year’s high-achieving team, national qualifier Nyla Jones heads a solid group of returners.

Jones ran the 60-meter hurdles in 8.67 seconds at last year’s NCAA Indoor Championships to earn All-America honors with her sixth-place finish. 

Also back is Denirah Jones who had a breakout freshman campaign, earning the NJAC Rookie of the Year honors as she won the long jump at the NJAC Indoor Championships.

The Profs also will return Paige Franklin, who placed fourth in the 400-meter dash at NJAC Indoor Championships, as well as being part of the second-place 4x200 relay, and first-place 4x400 relay.

“I'm excited to see our new incoming women and transfers meshing with our current young ladies amidst all event groups,” said Head Coach Shedrick Elliott III.

The new year gets underway on December 5 with the Fasttrack Season Opener.

Visit rowanathletics.com for the Profs' full schedule and to purchase tickets.