FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 9, 2026) - The Lumberjacks saw two first place, along with 17 additional podium finishes. The meet concluded with 201-99, Northern Arizona falling to Arizona State.
The Northern Arizona women's swimming and diving team hosted Arizona State in the Wall Aquatic Center this afternoon. This marked the Lumberjacks' first dual meet of the 26-27 season.
This meet consisted of 16 events, including: 200 medley relay, 1000 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, 50 freestyle, 1-meter diving, 100 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, 500 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 3-meter diving, 400 individual medley, and 400 freestyle relay.
"We had a lot of great swims," head coach Andy Johns said, "Even though we didn't get them in wins, we actually had some really great swims going on."
Junior Kaci Kelaher claimed the only first place finish for the 'Jacks in the pool, clocking a time of 54.52 in the 100 butterfly. Northern Arizona's Beezer Geer claimed third place behind Kelaher with 55.34. Kelaher also saw success in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:02.82, which was good for third.
Trelise Dance saw three podium finishes, starting off strong as a part of the Northern Arizona's A Team for the 200 medley relay (1:42.19). A Team was comprised of Lily Powell, Kelaher, Kokona Watanabe, and Dance. Dance claimed second in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.83) and third in 200 breaststroke (2:20.14).
True freshman Hannah Rutten had a second place finish in the 1000 freestyle, clocking 10:34.78, tailing Arizona State's Lia Csulak (10:23.18).
With two third place finishes, Watanabe saw improvement from last week's intrasquad meet. Watanabe clocked 23.14 in the 50 freestyle, compared to her 23.74 during Blue vs. Gold. In the 100 freestyle her finishing time was 51.42 this afternoon, improving from the 52.27 of last week. Watanabe anchored the A Team for the 400 freestyle relay, alongside Evalotta Aabrams, Camryn Brown, and Kelaher (3:24.57).
In the 200 freestyle, junior Rosie Keith claimed third with the time of 1:52.31, just under one second behind Sun Devils' Sonia Vaishnani (1:51.40).
Junior Allie Hayes saw third place with 2:03.87 in 200 backstroke, finishing behind Olivia Colombo (2:03.15).
In the 500 freestyle, the 'Jacks took second and third place, thanks to Aabrams (5:05.89) and Isahbel Krasht (5.06.61).
On the boards, freshman Rebeca Arrechedera claimed first place, receiving 277.58 points on the 1-meter dive. Arrechedera finished third on 3-meter with 267.30 points.
Freshman Avalon Johnson claimed second on the 3-meter with 275.33 points.
The Sun Devils saw success in multiple events, but specifically they swept two events in the pool. In the 100 backstroke, Sun Devils' Alexia Sotomayor claimed first (54.31), Colombo claimed second (55.19), and Payden Rafferty finished third (55.25).
Ellie Chalupsky claimed first in both the 50 freestyle (22.67) and 100 freestyle (49.39), setting pool records in both events. Chalupsky was also a part of the Sun Devils' A Team for the 400 freestyle relay (3:22.10).
Arizona State set a total of eight pool records in the Wall Aquatic Center for their first time back at 7,000 feet since 2013.
Looking ahead, the Lumberjacks will host Washington State (Oct. 30) and Idaho (Oct. 31) before hitting the road in Nov.
Stay up to date with the Northern Arizona women's swimming and diving team by following the Lumberjacks on Instagram and X.
