News Summary
Old Dominion University has made significant advancements in its swimming programs by securing outstanding recruits for the men’s and women’s teams. Jonathan Payne, a distance freestyle expert, has committed to the men’s team for fall. Alongside him, backstroke specialist Addie Elliott and mid-distance swimmer Ian Noffsinger have also joined ODU. These promising athletes signal a bright future for ODU swimming as both teams prepare to compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Norfolk, Virginia – Old Dominion University (ODU) has made significant strides in building its swimming programs for the upcoming seasons by securing top recruits for both the men’s and women’s teams. Leading the charge is Jonathan Payne, who has committed to join the men’s team for the fall of 2026. Payne, a distance freestyle specialist hailing from Richmond, Virginia, is currently swimming for Nova of Virginia and attending Mills E. Godwin High School.
Payne’s impressive track record makes him a key asset for ODU. His personal best in the 1650 freestyle is 15:27.34, a time that would have earned him a gold medal at the 2025 Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Championships. Significant improvements in his times include:
- 500 freestyle: improved from 4:46.12 to 4:33.59
- 200 freestyle: improved from 1:51.85 to 1:42.91
- 400 individual medley (IM): improved from 4:20.96 to 4:02.06
At the VHSL Class 5A State Championship, Payne earned a bronze medal in the 500 freestyle and finished sixth in the 200 freestyle. He also had a personal-best leadoff leg for Mills E. Godwin’s 400 freestyle relay, clocking in at 47.94. Additionally, he secured 14th place in the 1000 freestyle at the NCSA Spring Championship with a personal-best time of 9:15.15, which will only be contested in dual meets at the collegiate level.
ODU’s men’s swimming team, part of the Atlantic Sun Conference, finished fourth at the 2025 ASUN Championships. Based on Payne’s performance last season, he is expected to be a vital contributor from the onset, particularly as the fastest miler and 400 IM swimmer on the team, in addition to being the second-fastest in the 500 freestyle and tenth in the 200 freestyle.
Women’s Team Developments
In addition to Payne’s commitment, Addie Elliott, a backstroke specialist, has also committed to swim for ODU in the fall. Elliott, who trains at the Lancaster Aquatic Club in Pennsylvania and attends Lancaster Catholic High School, has recorded a personal best of 54.94 in the 100 backstroke at the 2025 PIAA District 3 Girls 2A Championship, where she placed first. In the same championship, she also won the 100 butterfly with a time of 59.58 and became a finalist in both events at the PIAA 2A State Championship.
In March 2025, Elliott set her fastest time of 24.88 in the 50 freestyle at the VA HOKI Speedo Sectionals, finishing third in the 100 backstroke with a time of 55.28. Her times would have qualified her for the ‘A’ final at the Women’s Sun Belt Conference Championships, with her 100 back time being the second fastest on the team last season.
Another Key Recruit
Moreover, Ian Noffsinger has also committed to ODU, becoming the second generation from his family to swim for the Monarchs. Noffsinger specializes in mid-distance and distance freestyle and has shown a strong performance history, including a tenth-place finish in the 500 freestyle at the 2025 CHSAA Boys 5A State Championship. Given his previous results, he is expected to be a major contributor for ODU’s men’s team, particularly in the 1000 and 1650 freestyle events.
Future Competitions
Looking ahead, the ODU women’s swim team will join the ASUN for the 2025-26 season, marking a significant moment as both men’s and women’s teams will compete within the same league for the first time. The incorporation of outstanding talent like Payne, Elliott, and Noffsinger represents a promising future for ODU swimming programs, as they continue to enhance their competitiveness in collegiate athletics.
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Additional Resources
- SwimSwam: Jonathan Payne Commits to ODU
- SwimSwam: Addie Elliott Commits to ODU
- SwimSwam: Ian Noffsinger Commits to ODU
- ODU Sports: Swimming Schedule Announcement
- Wikipedia: Old Dominion Monarchs
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WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
