Latest update March 19th, 2026 12:35 AM
Tyrrell ends stellar NCAA career, sets sights on Olympic dream
Delroy Tyrrell in action during a meet.
Kaieteur Sports – When Delroy Tyrrell first stepped onto a college starting block in 2022, he did so quietly but with unmistakable determination.
The Guyanese swimmer knew exactly where he wanted his journey to lead, and four years later, as he completes his final collegiate conference championships, he leaves behind a legacy of excellence that Guyana has every reason to celebrate.
Tyrrell began his National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) career at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York, competing in the Northeast-10 Conference at the Division II level. From the moment he entered the pool, the Guyanese swimmer showed he belonged among the conference’s best.
His breakthrough came at the 2024 NE10 Championships, where Tyrrell delivered one of the most memorable performances in the programme’s recent history. He shattered a nine-year-old Saint Rose school record in the 100-metre backstroke while capturing silver medals in both the 100-metre and 200-metre backstroke events.
Beyond his individual success, Tyrrell played a critical role in the team’s relay performances. He helped power Saint Rose to gold in the 200-metre freestyle relay and a silver medal in the 200-metre medley relay, finishing the championship with four conference medals, an extraordinary achievement for any swimmer, particularly one still early in his collegiate career. His rapid impact also earned him recognition as NE10 Rookie of the Week during his time at the institution.
Delroy Tyrrell Stats
However, Tyrrell’s college journey took an unexpected turn in 2024 when the College of Saint Rose announced it would close its doors. Like many student-athletes affected by the decision, he was forced to find a new home.
Tyrrell transferred to SUNY Oneonta, where he quickly established himself as one of the programme’s premier swimmers.
Competing in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC), Tyrrell wasted no time making his presence felt. In his first season with the Red Dragons, he set pool records and earned multiple SUNYAC Men’s Swimmer of the Week honours.
He was recognized with the award twice during the 2024 season, in October and again in November, after dominant performances in the pool.
During those meets, Tyrrell claimed victories in the 50-yard freestyle, the 100-yard backstroke, and the 200-yard backstroke, while also helping propel Oneonta’s relay teams to wins. His versatility and speed quickly made him one of the conference’s most reliable point scorers.
The defining moment of his collegiate career came at the February 2025 SUNYAC-AMCC Championships, his final conference meet.
Tyrrell etched his name into the record books by breaking a 12-year-old school record in the 100-yard backstroke, touching the wall in 50.76 seconds. His time eclipsed the previous mark of 50.90 seconds set by Alex Miller in 2013, securing the gold medal and cementing his place in Oneonta history.
In addition to that record, Tyrrell now holds the school and pool records in the 100-yard butterfly and as part of the 4×200 freestyle relay team. Those achievements ensure that his name will remain woven into the Red Dragons’ programme long after his departure.
Across four conference championships at two different institutions, competing in both Division II and Division III—Tyrrell consistently found himself on the medal podium. Winning conference medals in two different NCAA divisions is a rare accomplishment, particularly for Caribbean student-athletes navigating the demanding landscape of U.S. collegiate sports.
Even while building his college career, Tyrrell remained committed to representing the country of his birth. His path to international competition was not straightforward, however.
Years of bureaucratic delays and institutional resistance slowed the process before the Guyana Olympic Association ultimately selected him to represent Guyana at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh in 2025.
There, Tyrrell achieved another milestone, becoming one of only three Guyanese swimmers in history to reach an ISG semifinal.
With his college career now complete, Tyrrell’s focus shifts firmly to the global stage. His next goal is to qualify for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
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