Pacific Swimming & Diving Aim for MPSF Championships Titles in 2026
PHARR, Texas – The Pacific Tigers swim program arrives at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Swimming & Diving Championships with a clear objective: defend their men’s title and elevate both programs to new heights. Hosted by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley from to , the championship meet represents the culmination of a season focused on growth and refinement for the Tigers.
Head coach Katelyne Herrington expressed confidence in her team’s preparation, stating, “We’ve built a lot of momentum going into this point. We have been fine-tuning things and getting ready to compete our hardest.” Herrington envisions a potential breakthrough performance, aiming for three to four school records and qualifying 12 or more athletes for the National Invitational Championships. “For me, knowing the young team that we have, would be a big accomplishment,” she added.
Sophomore Nate Rasmussen is poised to be a key contributor to Pacific’s success. He enters the meet seeded second in the men’s 100 freestyle with a personal best of seconds, a mere three-tenths of a second off the program record held by Olympic gold medalist Brad Schumacher. Rasmussen himself exudes confidence, declaring, “I’m extremely confident in my abilities and the team’s abilities to perform at the championships. I think we’re going to come in with a big swing on the first day, and we’re going to surprise everyone.”
On the women’s side, sophomore Christina Agiomamitou is also within striking distance of a program record in the 200 freestyle. The MPSF Women’s Freshman Swimmer of the Year is seeded second in the event, trailing the school record by just eight-tenths of a second. Agiomamitou reflected on her adjustment to the collegiate level, saying, “I’m shocked from what I’ve accomplished so far. At first, it was a challenge for me to adjust and adapt, but I feel like everything has worked well.” Her ambition is clear: “I know I’m super close and that’s what’s really boiling my blood right now. I want to race and see that record with my name. I’m excited to compete for it.”
The MPSF Championships will feature a competitive field of 11 programs. The women’s competition includes California Baptist, Idaho, Incarnate Word, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Pacific, Pepperdine, Utah Tech, and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The men’s competition will see Air Force, California Baptist, Incarnate Word, Pacific, the University of Las Vegas, and Wyoming vying for the title.
The expanded conference, resulting from the addition of seven programs from the Western Athletic Conference, presents a new challenge for established programs like Pacific. However, Herrington remains optimistic, emphasizing the team’s momentum and belief in their capabilities. “We are looking to carry over the momentum. We feel good about ourselves,” she stated.
The Tigers’ performance at the MPSF Championships will not only determine their conference standing but also impact their potential qualification for national-level competitions. A strong showing could see a significant number of Pacific swimmers and divers advance to the National Invitational Championships, further solidifying the program’s reputation and providing valuable experience for its young roster.
The championship meet offers a platform for Pacific’s athletes to showcase their talent and compete against some of the top swimmers and divers in the region. Rasmussen and Agiomamitou, in particular, represent the program’s rising stars and are expected to play pivotal roles in the Tigers’ pursuit of both individual and team success.
As the competition begins, the Pacific Tigers will look to build on their regular season performances and make a significant impact at the MPSF Swimming & Diving Championships. The team’s dedication, combined with Herrington’s leadership, positions them as strong contenders for both individual accolades and a repeat conference title.
Fans can follow the Pacific Swimming and Diving team on X (@uopswimanddive), Instagram (@pacific_swim_dive), and Facebook (Pacific Swimming and Diving) for the latest updates throughout the championship meet.