The team ventured outside the Ivies this season facing national powerhouse Ohio State—then the No. 8 team in the country—in January and competing in the North Carolina Invitational in November in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Though the Buckeyes gave the Crimson its first loss of the season and cracked its 13-meet win streak, the Harvard swimmers demonstrated their potential for success at the national level in the matchup.

Katis swept his events, taking first in the 100 and 200 breast and the 200 IM.

“He’s just unreal,” Goodman says. “That kid could swim at any school.”

Satterthwaite and Walters went 1-2 in the 200 free, while Harvard swept the 400 free relay with 1-2-3 finishes.

The Crimson faced fierce competition again in the North Carolina Invitational. Against some of the most elite swimming and diving squads east of the Mississippi—including then No. 12 North Carolina and No. 19 North Carolina State—Harvard placed fifth behind North Carolina (1,334), Navy (752), Duke (572.5) and South Carolina (508.5).

With its young talent, the Crimson finds itself poised for unprecedented success in the future.

“This [season] is a stepping stone for years to come,” said Schumacher in March after the NCAA Championships. “In a few years, we can be a top-15 team.”

—Staff writer Marina E. Watson can be reached at mwatson@college.harvard.edu.