CSCAA to Host the 2025 Open Water National Championship at Nathan Benderson Park for the First Time on December 13

On Saturday, December 13, the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA), in partnership with Nathan Benderson Park (NBP) and Visit Sarasota County, will host the 2025 CSCAA Open Water National Championship at Nathan Benderson Park, marking the event’s first time in Sarasota County. 

This full-day event, designated as a USA Swimming qualifying competition, will welcome nearly 240 collegiate athletes from NCAA Divisions I, II, III, and NAIA programs across the country. The top five finishers in each gender will earn an invitation to the USA Swimming 5K Open Water Championships, returning to Sarasota County in April 2026.  

Interviews are available on request with Maureen Palchak, CSCAA’s chief operating officer; Nate Sweetman, Visit Sarasota County’s sports marketing manager; and Bruce Patneaude, COO of Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy, as well as event athletes. 

WHAT:             CSCAA’s Open Water National Championships 

WHERE:          Nathan Benderson Park 

                           5851 Nathan Benderson Cir, Sarasota, FL 34235

WHEN:            Saturday, December 13, 2025

                         Races begin at 8:30am

WHO:              CSCAA leadership and athletes, Nathan Benderson Park and Visit Sarasota County leadership, and more will be on-site. 

Learn more: https://cscaa.org/open-water-championship/

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Media Contacts 

Visit Sarasota County

Elizabeth Knight 

[email protected] 

(941) 468-1554