IRVINE, Calif – The Concordia University Irvine women's swim and dive team kicked off 2026 with a pair of meets and is improving in the pool every day.
"These first two meets of the new year show a group that's committed and moving in the right direction," said CUI head swimming coach
Ryan Martines. "We're still building, and the women have done a great job making the most of the situation, with many of them surprising themselves over the past week. Several stayed later and came back earlier than the rest of campus over break to get extra training in, which says a lot about their resolve. We've got a packed January with 6 total completions, about twice as many as a typical season so we're taking it one meet at a time."
Chris Knorr Invite
On Friday, CUI competed at the annual meet hosted by Cal Lutheran after the holiday break.
Carissa Ward turned in a great time in the 200 yard IM to win the event with a time of 2:16.82. One of the other highlights was also
Hannah Edwards and
Alex Leland placing third and fourth respectively in the 50 yard freestyle race.
Lilly Hartwell and
Mikayla Barre were also in the middle of a crowded field that touched the wall in that fast-paced race.
New Concordia diver
Kaylee Hurley competed in multiple events and took second place in both the 1 meter and 3 meter diving category.
For full results from this meet - CLICK HERE
Biola Quad Meet
On Wednesday at the Biola Quad Meet, Concordia competed against the host Eagles as well as Westmont College and The Master's University in the pool.
The Concordia quartet of
Carissa Ward,
Alex Leland,
Aranza Martha and
Hannah Edwards took second place in the 200 Medley Relay. Edwards carried it home as the anchor with the best time of 25.14 seconds among the talented group. Those four were able to shave about half a second off their previous time in the race at the Cal Lutheran meet just a few days prior.
Edwards also snagged third place in the 50 Free by sprinting her way to a clocked time of 25.66 seconds. Ward was also solid in the 100 backstroke, tapping the wall in a season-best 1:02.36 in that event.
Aubrie Carver also placed Top 10 in the 100 backstroke.
Leland was fifth in the 100 breaststroke and later teamed with Martha, Carver and Edwards for a fifth place finish in the 200 Free Relay.
Payton Doak snagged her best time of the season in the 100 Fly with a 1:05.32 to take sixth in that event.
Makayla Novak was a few seconds behind her and was also Top 10.
For full results from this meet - CLICK HERE
Next up for the Golden Eagles is a trip to the PCSC Triple Distance in Aliso Viejo this Saturday, Jan. 10th
CLICK HERE for the updated CUI women's swim and dive schedule
