Northern Arizona Wins 12th Consecutive Western Athletic Conference Championship

HOUSTON, Texas (Mar. 1, 2025) – The Northern Arizona women's swimming and diving team cruised to its 12th consecutive Western Athletic Conference (WAC) swimming and diving championship tonight. The 'Jacks scored a total of 694.5 points, finishing 160.5 points ahead of New Mexico State.

"We are so proud of this team for showing toughness and resilience throughout the entire season," head swimming coach Andy Johns said. "Our divers were elite, and the swimmers rose to the challenge after a rough start to the meet.  With only four individual champions and no relay victories, it really showed that our depth was important to secure the win. Victoria Knapp winning her fifth consecutive 1-meter title is unprecedented, and Casey Craffey won her fourth consecutive title in the mile - both incredible accomplishments. Our seniors were great leaders, and we're going to miss them next year."

Casey Craffey defended her title in the 1,650-yard freestyle, posting a time of 16:28.17. Kylie Ney followed closely, earning a silver medal with 16:32.41. Both times qualified them for NCAA B standards. Francesca Criscione placed seventh in the final with 16:59.78.

Keegan Knott broke both the 1,000-yard freestyle (11:23.97) and 1,650-yard freestyle (18:58.13) Paralympic S-9 U.S. records during the heat races.

In the 200-yard backstroke A final, Jamie Dellwardt secured silver with a time of 1:58.17. Gracie Munk won the B final in 2:00.62, while Meropi Eggink finished fourth in 2:01.16.

Evalotta Aabrams qualified for the C final of the 100-yard freestyle and placed second with a time of 51.39.

In the 200-yard breaststroke B final, Trelise Dance took first place (2:15.21), while Cydnie Perkins finished eighth (2:22.82). Mariana Diaz-Ponce was the top finisher in the C final, posting a time of 2:18.07.

Musselman earned another medal, taking silver in the 200-yard butterfly A final. Kaci Kelaher followed closely, securing bronze with a time of 1:59.66. Criscione competed in the B final, recording 2:03.46 for second place, while Isahbel Krasht finished fourth in 2:05.07. In the C final, Rachael Lytle placed eighth with a time of 2:09.76.

In the 400-yard freestyle relay, Bena Koehn, Aabrams, Kelaher, and Musselman swam a time of 3:22.55, finishing fifth.

In the team diving event, Kendall Marquez, Victoria Knapp, and Catalina Devia took gold with a score of 292.60.

"To win 12 in a row and the last WAC feels awesome! I am so proud of this whole team," head diving coach Nikki Kelsey said. "We had some challenges but competed strong. The divers did great! Each one scored points in all three events. To sweep both springboards is amazing, too. Mack and Grace scored in the final (top eight) in all three events. Victoria winning both springboards was amazing! So many shining moments by all the divers."

This marks the end of an era for the WAC swimming and diving championships, as the Lumberjacks will compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation next year.

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