San Diego State Claims Fourth Straight Mountain West Swim & Dive Title
Table of Contents
published: October 26, 2023
HOUSTON, Texas – The San Diego State University (SDSU) swim and dive program etched its name in Mountain West Conference history on Saturday, securing its fourth consecutive conference title and sixth in the last seven years. The Aztecs showcased a series of stellar performances at the 2025 Mountain West Championships
, held at the CRWC Natatorium on the University of Houston campus, solidifying their dominance in the region. The team amassed 1,283 points, outperforming second-place UNLV, wich finished with 1,178 points. This victory marks another prosperous title defense for head coach Mike Shrader’s program, which has now collected nine Mountain West team trophies since the 2010-11 campaign.
The San Diego State Aztecs have firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in collegiate swimming and diving. Their consistent performance and dedication to excellence have culminated in a remarkable achievement: securing their fourth consecutive Mountain West Conference title. This victory, achieved at the 2025 Mountain West Championships in Houston, Texas, not only underscores their current dominance but also places them among the conference’s elite programs.
The Aztecs’ path to victory was paved with outstanding performances across various events. The team’s final score of 1,283 points placed them comfortably ahead of their closest competitor, UNLV, who finished with 1,178 points. Fresno State claimed third place with 1,022 points,followed by Nevada (998 points) and Washington state (975 points). This win marks the ninth Mountain West team trophy for head coach Mike Shrader’s program since the 2010-11 campaign, a testament to the program’s sustained success.
San Diego State’s achievement places them among the mountain West elite. they are only the second school in conference history to win four consecutive championships, a feat previously accomplished by Brigham Young University from 2007-2010. The Aztecs’ consistent performance and dedication to excellence have cemented their status as a powerhouse in collegiate swimming and diving.
Throughout the week-long competition, SDSU demonstrated remarkable depth, securing five gold, seven silver, and two bronze medals. The team also achieved 13 additional finishes in the championship finals,highlighting their strength across various events.
Individual accolades further underscored the Aztecs’ success. Valentina Lopez Arevalo was named mountain West Diver of the Meet for the second consecutive year. This achievement marks the fourth time an Aztec competitor has received this honor. Ximena Lechuga Gonzalez previously earned the distinction twice, in 2019 and 2022.
Alex Roberts received the league’s Senior Recognition Award for her dedication to sport, team, and community. The conference has only bestowed this honor upon an SDSU student-athlete onc before, when Mikaela Macklin received the award in 2014.
The Aztecs’ 400 freestyle relay team, consisting of Alli Mann, Kaydence Bispo, Wilma Johansson, and Meredith Smithbaker, delivered a memorable performance in the final event of the meet. They set a school record with a winning time of 3:15.68, which ranks second in Mountain West Conference history.
Abby Storm emerged victorious in the 200 backstroke, achieving a career-best time of 1:54.03. This time places her second on the school’s all-time charts, behind Roberts, who set the program standard of 1:52.76 at the NCAA Championships last year.Roberts finished second behind Storm in the event on Saturday, touching the wall at 1:55.38, while reka Nyiradi finished eighth with a time of 2:00.50.Both Storm and Roberts’ efforts surpassed the NCAA “B” cut threshold.
Lopez Arevalo dominated the platform diving competition, achieving a season-best score of 325.95 to win the event title for the third consecutive year. On her fourth dive of the day,the 205B,Lopez Arevalo received a perfect score of 10.0 from five of the seven judges.
Alina Skrocki, making her first appearance in the conference platform finals, placed sixth with a total of 238.65 points, surpassing an NCAA zone qualifying standard along with her SDSU teammate.
The Aztecs had three swimmers advance to the championship finals of the 100 freestyle. smithbaker finished second with another NCAA “B” cut time of 48.89, while Johansson (49.35) edged Mann (49.65) for sixth place.
Moa Bergdahl surpassed the NCAA “B” cut threshold in the 200 breaststroke,completing the race with a career-best time of 2:10.44, which ranks fourth in school history. Christiana Williams finished seventh at 2:14.47.
Charlotte Sevin was the Aztecs’ top finisher in the 200 butterfly, touching the wall in sixth with a collegiate-best time of 2:00.19, which ranks 10th on the program’s all-time list.
In consolation action, Bispo won the “B” finals of the 100 freestyle with a time of 49.55, while Grace Mering finished second in the 200 backstroke “B” finals with a time of 1:57.72. Both results marked season bests for the respective competitors.
Looking ahead, San Diego State divers will begin preparations for the NCAA Zone E Championships, scheduled for March 10-12 in Federal Way, Washington.
2025 Mountain West Championships
Houston, Texas
Final Team Standings:
- San Diego State (1,283 pts)
- UNLV (1,178 pts)
- Fresno State (1,022 pts)
- Nevada (998 pts)
- Washington State (975 pts)
- Wyoming (856 pts)
- Colorado State (697 pts)
- Air Force (546 pts)
- New Mexico (392 pts)
- San José state (285 pts)
The San Diego State swim and dive team’s remarkable performance at the 2025 Mountain West Championships underscores their commitment to excellence and their position as a dominant force in collegiate athletics. With a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent, the Aztecs are poised to continue their success in the years to come.
SDSU’s Dynasty: Unpacking the Aztecs’ Reign in Mountain West Swimming & Diving
Did you know that San Diego State University has achieved a level of dominance in Mountain West conference swimming and diving rarely seen before? Their recent victory marks not just a win, but a testament to sustained excellence.
Interviewer (Senior Editor, world-today-news.com): Dr. Anya Sharma, a renowned sports analyst and expert in collegiate athletic performance, welcome to world-today-news.com. San Diego State University (SDSU) recently secured their fourth consecutive Mountain West Conference swim and dive title. What makes this achievement so significant in the context of collegiate athletics?
dr. Sharma: Thank you for having me. The SDSU Aztecs’ fourth consecutive Mountain West Conference championship is indeed a monumental achievement. It’s not just about winning; it’s about establishing a consistent culture of excellence, strategic planning, and sustained high performance in a highly competitive collegiate sports landscape. This level of consistent success highlights their commitment to long-term progress, talent acquisition and retention strategies, and the creation of a highly effective coaching and training surroundings. Their sustained dominance underscores their methodical and well-executed approach to achieving top-tier results year after year.
The Secrets Behind SDSU’s Swimming & Diving Success
Interviewer: What key factors contribute to SDSU’s sustained success in the Mountain West Conference? Can you break down the elements crucial for achieving such a remarkable winning streak in collegiate swimming and diving?
Dr.Sharma: Several intertwined elements contribute to SDSU’s remarkable success. First, strong recruiting is paramount. Identifying and attracting talented athletes with the potential for significant growth and performance is crucial. SDSU’s success suggests they excel at identifying prospects early in their career journeys and building lasting relationships.
Secondly, elite coaching and training programs are indispensable. This is more than just technical skills; it’s about physical conditioning, mental fortitude, nutrition, injury prevention, and fostering a strong team spirit. Head coach Mike shrader has demonstrably built a program known for excellence in all these aspects.
Thirdly, strategic resource allocation plays a vital role. This includes access to state-of-the-art facilities, specialized equipment, cutting-edge performance analysis technology, and the financial stability to support the program’s needs.
developing a strong team culture dedicated to high performance and teamwork contributes significantly. This involves fostering individual growth while simultaneously building a supportive team environment aimed at collective achievement. The combination of these factors produces the consistently top-performing teams we see from SDSU.
SDSU’s Impact on Collegiate Swimming and Diving
Interviewer: How dose SDSU’s dominance influence other programs within the mountain West Conference, and what impact does this sustained success have on the overall landscape of collegiate swimming and diving?
Dr. Sharma: SDSU’s sustained success elevates the competitive bar for other Mountain West Conference programs. It acts as a benchmark—a standard of excellence aspiring programs strive to reach. This fosters enhanced training regimens, intensified recruiting efforts, and improved coaching strategies across the conference. It compels rival programs to continuously evolve, pushing the boundaries of athletic performance and ultimately enhancing the overall quality of mountain West collegiate swimming and diving. Their remarkable streak underscores the transformative power that consistent leadership, dedication, and thorough strategies can have on achieving excellence in the realm of intercollegiate sports. The ripple effect extends beyond the Mountain West; it influences the expectations and aspirations of collegiate swim and dive programs nationally.
The Future of SDSU’s Swimming & Diving Program
Interviewer: Looking ahead,what are the key challenges and opportunities facing SDSU’s swim and dive program in maintaining their competitive edge?
Dr.Sharma: Maintaining this level of success requires continuous adaptation and evolution. Navigating recruiting challenges, as other programs improve their own strategies, will be a core focus.Staying ahead necessitates the constant refinement of training methodologies, embracing technological advancements, and proactively targeting high-potential athletes. The program should also consider strengthening its alumni network to ensure lasting support and continued fundraising for sustained success.
Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts
Interviewer: Dr. Sharma, thank you for providing such insightful perspectives. what are the three most crucial lessons other collegiate athletic programs can learn from SDSU’s success?
Dr. Sharma: absolutely. Three key takeaways emerge:
- Prioritize long-term strategic planning: Sustainable success requires a holistic view that considers all aspects of athlete performance and development.
- Invest in elite coaching and a supportive team environment: A strong team culture where individuals thrive is crucial for sustained success.
- Utilize cutting-edge resources and technologies: Enhancing training methodologies and leveraging technological advancements to gain a competitive edge is essential.
SDSU’s dominance is a compelling case study demonstrating how consistent dedication, strategic planning, and a strong team ethos can create a triumphant and enduring legacy in collegiate athletics. I encourage readers to share their thoughts and experiences in the comments below—what strategies have you seen employed successfully in other athletic programs? Let’s continue the conversation!