FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 31, 2026) - Northern Arizona women's swimming and diving closed a busy home weekend at the Aquatic & Tennis Complex with a strong showing across both programs, highlighted by consistent diving performances at the Lumberjack Diving Invitational and a dominant swimming victory over Utah Tech.
Diving competition concluded Sunday with the women's platform event at the Lumberjack Diving Invitational. Grace Wesche led the Lumberjacks with a third-place finish, scoring 487.55, while Margaret Wesche followed closely in fifth with a total of 481.20. Mackenna Stocker added a ninth-place finish, totaling 464.50 across prelims and finals, while Kirsten Clark competed in prelims and posted a score of 147.95.
Head diving coach Nikki Kelsey reflected on the platform competition and the weekend as a whole:
"I thought today was great," Kelsey said. "We had all of our divers finish in the top half of the finals, and even though we don't have the same level of difficulty as some of the other programs, we were right there with them. That says a lot about where we are. Grace was really solid, and honestly all three of them were consistent throughout the day, but Grace and Maggie were especially strong. Kirsten also competed in a new dive and beat several divers, which was exciting to see. Overall, I'm really pleased with how we performed on the platform against some major programs. The entire weekend was strong and consistent, with just enough room for improvement, which is exactly what we want as we head into the next few weeks preparing for conferences and zones."
In Saturday's dual meet, the Lumberjacks posted a 183–69 victory over Utah Tech, winning 11 of 14 events and sweeping all four relay races. Northern Arizona controlled the meet from the opening event and consistently placed multiple swimmers in scoring positions throughout the lineup.
NAU opened the meet with a win in the 400-yard medley relay, as the 'A' squad of Gracie Munk, Cydnie Perkins, Elsa Musselman and Kokona Watanabe touched first in 3:41.38. The Lumberjacks closed the day in similar fashion, capturing the 400-yard freestyle relay behind Kaci Kelaher, Rosie Keith, Katarina Klatt and Evalotta Aabrams, posting a winning time of 3:25.12.
Individually, Northern Arizona posted a series of standout performances. Teddy Sabev claimed the 1,650-yard freestyle in 17:55.75, while Aabrams followed with a victory in the 200-yard freestyle, touching in 1:51.42. Munk added a win in the 50-yard backstroke with a time of 26.00.
The Lumberjacks also swept multiple sprint events, led by Klatt, who won both the 50-yard freestyle (23.52) and the 100-yard freestyle (51.34). Isahbel Krasht took first in the 100-yard butterfly, clocking 55.50, while Musselman captured the 200-yard individual medley in 2:07.28.
Northern Arizona controlled the breaststroke events as well, with Perkins winning both the 50-yard breaststroke (28.63) and the 100-yard breaststroke (1:02.29). Kirsten Clark added a victory in the 100-yard backstroke, finishing in 57.30.
Saturday's meet also served as Senior Day, as the Lumberjacks honored Munk, Musselman, Perkins, Clark, Stocker, Grace Wesche and Margaret Wesche for their contributions to the program.
Head coach Andy Johns reflected on the Senior Day performance following the meet: "It was a great Senior Day and a great way to wrap up the dual-meet season," Johns said. "I think every one of our seniors won at least one event today. maybe even two or three, and I'm really proud of them. I'm proud of the entire team as well. There was a lot of really good stuff happening across the board, especially from the women, who competed with great effort and attitude. Overall, it was an awesome way to close out the dual-meet slate."
Northern Arizona will next compete at the MPSF Swimming & Diving Championships, set for Feb. 25–28 in Pharr, Texas. Following conference action, select divers will return home to host the NCAA Zone E Diving Championships at the Wall Aquatic Center from March 9–11. Qualifying swimmers will conclude the postseason at the NCAA Championships, scheduled for March 18 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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