AQ Women & Men Swim & Dive team at Nationals

Aquinas Swim & Dive Makes Waves at Nationals with Record-Breaking Performances

Saints Shine at NAIA Championships, Women Take 15th, Men 14th

3/9/2025 9:03:00 PM

By: Joey Sutherlin - Director of Athletic Communications

Elkhart, Ind. – Qualifying for Nationals is always a moment to celebrate—a testament to the dedication, training, and resilience of both individuals and the program as a whole. For the 2024-25 Aquinas Saints Swim & Dive team, this year's journey to Elkhart, Indiana, was about more than just competing. It was about making a statement. Head Coach Kristy Hepp and her squad left the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center on Tuesday, greeted with applause from the Athletic Department and fellow student-athletes, with a clear mission: to show the swimming community that AQ is a rising power in collegiate aquatics.

AQ Women's Swim & Dive

The Saints sent five women to the national meet, and all five scored points, leading Aquinas to a 15th-place finish out of 30 teams with 70 total points. This marked a major leap from last year's 18th-place finish, where AQ scored just 38 points with three qualifiers. The team's youth movement was on full display, with all five national qualifiers being underclassmen, setting the stage for even stronger performances in the future.

Key Performers:

  • Emersyn Joslin (100 back, 200 back, all 5 relays)
    • Placed 16th in the 200 backstroke, scoring points in her national debut.
    • Integral in all five relays, including the record-setting 800 freestyle relay (8:07.63).
  • Addie Osborne (50 free, 100 free, all 5 relays)
    • Won a dramatic swim-off in the 50 freestyle to place 16th overall, setting a new school record (24.31).
    • Competed in all five relays, helping secure team points.
  • Adriana Waller (500 free, 200 fly, 1650 free, all 5 relays)
    • Contributed in all five relays while placing 27th in the 1650 free, 28th in the 200 fly, and 35th in the 500 free.
  • Amelia Edens (200 IM, 100 back, 200 back, all 5 relays)
    • Broke her own 100 backstroke school record twice, finishing 14th overall (58.51).
    • Anchored the 800 freestyle relay to its record-setting performance.
  • Emma Nibbelink (1M & 3M diving)
    • Made history as AQ's first woman to compete at nationals on both diving boards.
    • Placed 4th on 3M and 5th on 1M in what was described as the most competitive NAIA diving field ever.
    • Dive Coach Sophia Farbarzhevich praised her poise, calling her a "star in the making."

Coach's Take:
"To go from having one female swimmer invited last year to four this season is a testament to our team's growth and commitment," said Coach Kristy Hepp. "Amelia Edens paved the way for our women's team to believe in their capabilities, and she helped propel three freshman teammates to the national stage. This is just the beginning of Aquinas' women's team making big waves in NAIA swimming and diving."

AQ Men's Swim & Dive

Aquinas' men's team finished 14th out of 30 teams, scoring 61 total points—a step up from last year's 15th-place finish. The Saints also saw an increase in qualifiers, with five athletes competing.

Key Performers:

  • Titus Smith (100 fly, 100 back, 200 back)
    • Broke three school records, finishing 23rd in the 100 fly (50.57), 20th in the 100 back (50.82), and 17th in the 200 back (1:51.82).
    • Narrowly missed finals by just 0.03 seconds in the 200 back.
  • Luke Martin (200 IM, 100 breast, 200 breast)
    • Set a new school record in the 200 IM (1:56.81), demonstrating his fierce competitiveness.
  • Evan Bennett (1M & 3M Diving)
    • Placed 3rd on both the 1M and 3M boards, earning All-America honors and scoring the most points for AQ's men's team.
  • Troy Borrero (1M & 3M Diving)
    • Finished 4th on the 1M board, earning All-America status.
  • Lucas Castillo (1M & 3M Diving)
    • Placed 5th on the 3M board, securing his first All-American award.

Coach's Take:
"It's rare to have nearly every swim at nationals be a personal-best time or school record," Coach Kristy Hepp said. "Titus and Luke led by example, and our divers once again proved why we're one of the strongest diving programs in the NAIA. The meet gets more competitive every year, and I'm excited to see how this team builds toward next season."

Up Next

With the 2024-25 season now in the books, Aquinas turns its attention to the future. Coach Kristy Hepp and her staff will hit the recruiting trail while preparing returning swimmers and divers for an even higher standard of success. The Saints have made their mark on the national stage—and this is just the beginning.

Congratulations to the coaches and athletes on an outstanding season!

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