Ravenscroft Swimmers Shine on International Stage in London – Ravenscroft Magazine

For most student-athletes, competing at a national championship is a dream realized. For Ravenscroft swimmers Mattaus Rammel ’26 and David Davis ’28, that dream expanded beyond national borders when they earned spots on the National Club Swimming Association (NCSA) All-Star Team representing the United States at the prestigious Adam Peaty (AP) Race London International 2026. Held May 23–25, at the London Aquatics Centre, the venue offered the athletes a chance to race in the same pool that welcomed the world's best swimmers during the 2012 Olympic Games.
Representing the U.S. alongside 56 of the nation's top age-group swimmers, the Ravenscroft duo traveled to England to compete against elite athletes from around the world while experiencing international competition at the highest level.
For Rammel, a recent Ravenscroft graduate who has begun his collegiate career with The Ohio State University swimming and diving program, the trip was especially meaningful.
"I'd never been outside of the country before," Rammel said. "For my first time traveling internationally to be for a swim meet like this was unbelievable. It was an incredible opportunity."
The opportunity was one Rammel had been chasing for more than a year. After narrowly missing selection in 2025 by a single spot, he qualified this year on the first day of the selection process and became the first male swimmer selected for the NCSA All-Star Team. 
"I had heard so many great things about this meet," Rammel said. "When I found out I made it, I was just really grateful and excited."
Rammel and Davis both earned their invitations through standout performances at a national-level meet in Orlando, where the top 28 boys and 28 girls were selected to represent the U.S. at the AP Race London International in London.
"It was amazing just to be chosen," Davis said. "Most of the athletes there were juniors and seniors committed to high-level Division I programs. It was really cool to train and compete alongside some of the best recruits in the country."
While both swimmers are accustomed to competing at an elite level through club and high school swimming, the London meet presented a different challenge.
"The competition was unlike anything I've experienced," Rammel said. "Some of the best swimmers in the world were all in one pool."
Davis embraced the atmosphere by treating it like any other meet, though he quickly realized the scale was much larger.
"It was the biggest competition I'd ever been to," Davis said. "You'd be behind the blocks or in the warm-up pool hearing all kinds of different languages from athletes representing countries around the world."
The event itself was a production unlike a typical swim meet. Athletes trained throughout the week before competition began, while also taking part in sightseeing excursions that included a boat tour along the River Thames and a visit to Westminster Abbey.
For Davis, one of the most memorable moments came before a race when athletes were introduced to the crowd.
"They announced, 'Representing the United States of America, David Davis,'" he recalled. "That was super cool to hear before my race."
In the pool, both Ravens made the most of the opportunity. Davis advanced to finals in three events and finished as one of the top 18-and-under swimmers in the 200 butterfly. Rammel posted a personal best in the 100 butterfly while competing against some of the world's top talent.
Beyond the results, both athletes spoke about the personal growth that came from the experience.
Rammel credited Ravenscroft's "Lead From Here" philosophy for helping prepare him to serve as a leader among the team.
"As one of the older athletes on the trip, I felt a responsibility to lead by example," he said. "A lot of the lessons I've learned at Ravenscroft carried over."
Davis learned the importance of staying composed under pressure.
"I think I learned how to stay calmer in big moments," Davis said. "The meet was so much bigger than anything I'd experienced before, and I had to make sure I didn't let the nerves get to me."
The experience also provided valuable preparation for the next chapter of Rammel's career as he transitions to collegiate swimming.
"Swimming internationally gave me a different perspective," he said. "In college I'll be racing athletes from all over the world, so having that experience already will definitely help."
One of the most unique aspects of the trip was that the two Ravenscroft students were able to share the experience together. While many athletes traveled with club teammates, very few represented the same school.
"When David qualified, I was so excited for him," Rammel said. "Having a friend from home there with me made the trip ten times more fun."
Davis echoed the sentiment.
"There were lots of athletes from the same club teams, but not many from the same school," he said. "It was really special that we were both there representing Ravenscroft."
Away from the pool, both swimmers valued the friendships they built with teammates from across the country.
"I'll remember walking around London with people I'd just met and becoming really good friends with them," Davis said.
Rammel agreed, saying some of his favorite memories came simply from spending time with teammates outside of competition.
When asked to describe the experience in a single word, both athletes found answers that reflected the impact of the journey.
For Davis, the word was "unreal."
"It was everything I could have dreamed of," he said.
For Rammel, the word was "opportunity."
"Because this experience gave me an opportunity to become better in the future," he said.
From competing on an international stage to creating lifelong memories and friendships, Rammel and Davis represented Ravenscroft with distinction while gaining experiences that will shape them both in and out of the pool for years to come.
 
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