FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 5, 2026) - Northern Arizona Swimming & Diving opened the new year on Monday afternoon at the Wall Aquatic Center against Colorado State. The Lumberjacks posted several event victories and had a dominant performance on the diving boards, but ultimately fell 163.5-136.5 to the Rams.
The Lumberjacks controlled both springboard events, sweeping the top three spots on 1-meter and 3-meter diving. Mackenna Stocker led the way with a winning score of 300.83 on the 1-meter, followed closely by Margaret Wesche (290.40) and Grace Wesche (282.68). Stocker backed up her performance with another victory on the 3-meter, scoring 320.33, while Margaret Wesche (312.83) and Grace Wesche (303.60) once again completed the sweep for NAU.
Northern Arizona also picked up multiple wins in the pool, highlighted by strong distance and butterfly performances. Teddy Sabev opened the scoring surge for the Lumberjacks by winning the 1,000-yard freestyle in 10:38.31, while Cydnie Perkins followed with a victory in the 100-yard breaststroke, touching in 1:02.18. In the 200-yard butterfly, Kaci Kelaher claimed first place with a time of 2:04.14, narrowly edging teammate Elsa Musselman, who finished second in 2:04.16 for a key NAU one-two finish. Musselman later returned to win the 100-yard butterfly in 55.17.
The Lumberjacks opened the meet with a strong showing in the 400-yard medley relay, as the "A" team of Gracie Munk, Perkins, Isahbel Krasht, and Kokona Watanabe finished second with a time of 3:42.18. To close the afternoon, NAU's top quartet of Watanabe, Musselman, Camryn Brown, and Munk combined for a 1:34.12 finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay.
Northern Arizona continued to stack points throughout the meet with depth across multiple events, including a third-place finish from Evalotta Aabrams in the 200-yard freestyle (1:53.82) and a fourth-place effort from Rosie Keith (1:54.48), keeping the Lumberjacks within striking distance through the middle of the dual.
Head coach Andy Johns reflected on the meet and the growth opportunity it provided." It was a great meet and we were right there early, but after that first break they came out and took control for a stretch and we couldn't quite recover," Johns said. "Our diving group was outstanding and really kept us in it with the one-two-three sweeps, and the 200 butterfly was another big moment for us. Overall, our group is a little tired, and that's okay, this is a great learning opportunity. We'll take a lot from it, get better, and turn our focus to Arizona on Friday for another good test."
Head Diving Coach Nikki Kelsey praised her group's consistency and early-season confidence. "I thought our divers did a great job showing confidence and consistency this early in the season, which is exactly where we want to be right now," Kelsey said. "There are still things we can clean up, we don't want to be at our best yet, but this was a really good place to start. Going one-two-three on both boards is incredible, and Kirsten is coming along well and starting to put together some really good dives. We're excited about where this group is heading as we move into the rest of the semester and toward the championship meets."
Northern Arizona returns to action this Friday Jan. 9 with a road test in Tucson, Ariz, facing the Arizona Wildcats.
Stay up to date with the Northern Arizona women's swimming and diving team by following the Lumberjacks on Instagram and X.
