In a thrilling finale to the 2025 Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference (PCSC) Championship, the Azusa Pacific Swim & Dive team made history by winning their first-ever conference title. The Cougars finished with 1328 points, narrowly defeating Cal State East Bay by just 2.5 points to claim the championship. This victory not only marked a historic achievement for the program but also demonstrated the team's continuous improvement year after year. Along with the championship win, the Cougars claimed Cornerstone Cup points by defeating Biola, further solidifying their place at the top of the conference.

Head Coach Tim Kyle expressed the significance of the victory, saying, "This season has been pretty special! This team has worked so hard and come so far. It took everyone on the team to make this happen! So proud of everyone involved with the program to make this such a special day. It's a great day to be a Cougar!!" Assistant Coach Jodi Lepp echoed the sentiment, stating, "We knew we had a special team at the beginning of this season. But the heart and courage these girls showed throughout these last four days is incredible."

The team's triumph was further bolstered by standout performances from key athletes, including Montana White, who was named Athlete of the Meet after scoring an impressive 128 points across the competition. White's stellar performances were part of a larger team effort that saw the Cougars win eight conference championships in various events. Head Coach Kyle was also named Coach of the Meet for his leadership of the championship team. This collective success reflected the hard work, determination, and teamwork that has been a hallmark of their season, showcasing the team's growth and commitment to excellence.
  Historic Team Achievements
The Cougars' success at the PCSC Championship was driven by a series of strong individual and team performances. The team claimed eight conference titles during the meet, which included victories in the 200-yard medley relay, the 800-yard freestyle relay, the 100-yard breaststroke, the 200-yard breaststroke, the 1650-yard freestyle, the 1000-yard freestyle, the 500-yard freestyle, and the 200-yard freestyle. These wins contributed significantly to the team's total score and ultimately propelled them to the top of the standings.

White was a key contributor to the Cougars' success. Her victories in the 1650-yard freestyle, 1000-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle, and 200-yard freestyle helped secure the team's first-ever conference championship. In addition to White's performance, several other athletes had standout moments during the meet. Aleena Herrera reflected on the team's effort, saying, "Today was a true testament to the hard work and dedication our team has put in; we have worked for this each and every long doubles day. The energy and support we shared during training really showed in the water, and it was incredible to see everyone's effort paying off. It has been so fun this weekend with all of the laughs and joys we have shared in and out of the water, I will cherish these memories forever!" Ellie Sivesind also shared her excitement, saying, "Today was so incredibly surreal!! It was so amazing to see our entire team unite and come alongside each other, and see our hard work pay off!"

Exciting Final Day Performances
The final day of competition featured several standout performances that contributed to the Cougars' historic victory. Sydnee Wilson finished third in the 100-yard freestyle, earning an NCAA "B" Cut. White added another win to her name, taking first place in the 1650-yard freestyle and securing an NCAA "B" Cut in the process. Courtney Jane Seljeseth also had an outstanding performance, finishing first in the 200-yard breaststroke while earning an NCAA "B" Cut. Angelica Benetiz placed third in the 200-yard breaststroke, while Allison Ferrer finished third in the 1-meter dive, contributing valuable points to the team's overall score.

In the relay events, the team of Wilson, Mikaela Maemura, Ellie Sivesind, and White earned an NCAA provisional cut, further adding to the Cougars' impressive tally of achievements. These performances on the final day, combined with the team's success throughout the meet, were key in securing the Cougars' first-ever PCSC Championship.

 Final Day Results: 
1-meter Diving
3. Allison Ferrer – 358.75  27 PTS 
6. Madison Schneider – 217.10  24 PTS 

1650-yard Freestyle
1. Montana White – 17:02.54  32 PTS   NCAA "B" Cut 
3. Alexandra Szolnoki – 17:31.04  27 PTS 
5. Aleena Herrera – 17:41.90  25 PTS 
8. Kya Guikema – 17:48.67 (PR)  22 PTS 
23. Riley Lawler – 18:49.49  2 PTS 

100-yard Freestyle
3. Sydnee Wilson – 51.61 (PR)  27 PTS   NCAA "B" Cut 
20. Ellie Sivesind – 53.13  5 PTS 
24. Hannah Swailes – 53.83  1 PT 
31. Marci Yanagawa – 54.14

200-yard Backstroke
5. Mikaela Maemura – 2:05.84  25 PTS 
11. Marci Yanagawa – 2:06.61  16 PTS 
14. Gillian Sato – 2:07.77  13 PTS 
17. Ashley Cochran – 2:08.94  9 PTS 

200-yard Breaststroke
1. Courtney Jane Seljeseth – 2:19.33  32 PTS   NCAA "B" Cut 
3. Angelica Benitez – 2:20.28  27 PTS 
23. Adelle Brush – 2:29.89  2 PTS 
31. Madison Schneider – 2:31.46
35. Marcelina Halawczak – 2:33.76 (PR)

400-yard Freestyle
2. Sydnee Wilson, Mikaela Maemura, Ellie Sivesind, Montana White – 2:24.43  56 PTS   NCAA PROVO 
  Saying Goodbye to the Seniors
As the Cougars celebrated their historic victory, they took a moment to honor their seniors, many of whom were competing in their final PCSC meet. For these athletes, this was the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and growth within the program. The seniors left an indelible mark on the team, and their leadership and contributions were integral to the Cougars' success.

Marci Yanagawa reflected on her favorite memory from the season, recalling the travel meet to Santa Cruz. "After competing, we took a trip to the boardwalk where I got to make amazing memories with my best friends. There was lots of laughter and tears of joy, which is something I'll never forget," she said.

Madison Schneider spoke about the lessons she learned throughout her time as a collegiate athlete, saying, "Collegiate athletics have taught me resilience, time management, and the importance of a strong support system. Balancing academics, training, and everything else has shown me how to stay disciplined and manage my time well. More than that, I've learned how to trust my training, push through tough moments, and appreciate the process. Being part of a team has also taught me about leadership, encouragement, and what it truly means to show up for the people around you." Hannah Swailes added, "Some new skills I feel I've learned from being a collegiate athlete is perseverance and understanding that I've been through some challenging times but always come back stronger, which led me to learn how to believe in myself."

Paige Colligan reflected on what being a collegiate athlete has meant to her, saying, "To me, being a Cougar is being a part of something bigger than yourself. It's being part of a sisterhood that not only laughs constantly and uplifts one another, but we also keep each other accountable." Schneider added, "Being a Cougar has meant pushing myself beyond what I thought I was capable of, both in and out of the water. At APU, I learned a completely new sport, and over time, I grew so much as both a swimmer, diver, student, and person. It's been about embracing challenges, growing alongside an amazing team, and learning valuable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and, most importantly, faith."

Head Coach Tim Kyle expressed his pride in the senior class, saying, "The seniors are a very special group! So amazing for them to make their final mark as a Cougar and leave the program as conference champions! Making memories that will last a lifetime!" Assistant Coach Jodi Lepp also praised the leadership of the seniors, adding, "The seniors led this team throughout the season and showed the underclassmen what it means to be a Cougar. Could not be more proud of these girls."
  Looking Toward the Future
As the Cougars look ahead to the future, they will carry the legacy of their seniors and continue to build on the success of this historic championship. The victory at the 2025 PCSC Championship is a testament to the hard work, unity, and dedication of the entire team, and it marks a bright future for Azusa Pacific Swimming & Diving.