Success at the Collegiate Level

 

Alligator Aquatics has a long tradition of producing top-tier collegiate-level athletes. Read more about current and former Alligators who are currently or recently competed at the collegiate level.

 

Alex Santiago – Southern Illinois University (Men’s Swimming & Diving, D-I)

 

Alex, a Buffalo Grove native and former Alligator Aquatics standout, has emerged as a top-tier sprinter at Southern Illinois. In the 2024‑25 season (Senior year), he was named MVC Swimmer of the Year and First-Team All‑MVC, earning the title of Missouri Valley Conference Most Outstanding Swimmer, and was recognized as MVC Swimmer of the Week not less than four times. At the NCAA Championships, he competed in the 50‑yard freestyle, 100‑yard freestyle, and notably turned in a 45.11 in the 100 fly, resetting his own SIU and MVC record in prelims. He also holds MVC and SIU program and pool records in individual and relay sprint events (50 free, 100 free, 100 fly, and relays).

 

Andrew Flight – Saint Louis University (Men’s Swimming & Diving, D-I)

 

Andrew, from Hersey High School and formerly of Alligator Aquatics, is now swimming for SLU as a junior after two seasons of steady development. Across both the 2023‑24 and 2024‑25 seasons, he made the A‑10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll and competed in seven meets each year. In club swimming, he set several Alligator Aquatics records in the open 200 LCM breaststroke, open 200 SCY breaststroke, and the 13‑14 100 SCY breaststroke. At Hersey HS, he was MVP, school-record holder (100 breast, 200 medley relay), and a three‑year captain.

 

Dominick Perkowski – Ball State University (Men’s Swimming & Diving, D-I)

 

Dom, swimming with Alligator Aquatics and formerly with Lake Park HS, committed to continue his academic and swimming career at Ball State University. Prior to that, he had strong performances at Speedo Sectionals and Illinois Senior State meets, including a third‑place finish in the 200 free at Senior State, representing Alligator Aquatics.

 

Morgan Vis – Lewis University (Women’s Swimming & Diving, D-II)

 

Morgan, a Des Plaines native and Maine West alum, is now competing as a freshman at Lewis University. She swims fly and free, pursuing a major in Biology. In club meets, she swam fast in the 100 fly at high‑level sectional and state-level competition, noted in Alligator Aquatics highlights including Speedo Sectionals and Illinois Senior State meets.