JERSEY CITY, NJ – The wait is over for the Saint Peter's swimming and diving team. The Peacocks dive into their 2025 season on Saturday, October 4, hosting their annual Alumni Meet at The Victor R. Yanitelli, S.J. Recreational Life Center. First splash is set for 12 p.m.
Saint Peter's men's team enters the year ranked 8th out of 9 programs and the women's team 11th out of 12 in the MAAC Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving preseason polls, but the Peacocks return a core of proven leaders ready to build on last season's momentum.
On the men's side, sophomore
Juan Nunez headlines the roster after a breakout rookie campaign. Nunez claimed victory across multiple events, highlighted by a first-place finish in the 400-yard IM at the ECAC Championships. His season accolades included MAAC Male Swimmer of the Week (12/12), CSC Academic All-District honors, and Saint Peter's Male Rookie of the Year.
For the women,
Maddie McKinney shined in distance freestyle, collecting wins in the 1000-yard (11/23), 500-yard (2/1), and 200-yard backstroke (1/25).
Teammate
Paige Austin-Burrows also etched her name across the program record book in her debut campaign. She owns the top time in school history in the 100-yard butterfly, 100-yard IM, and 50-yard butterfly, while also ranking in the top 10 across eight other events, including second all-time in the 100-yard freestyle. Her season accolades included MAAC Female Athlete of the Week (10/31) and Saint Peter's Peacock of the Month honors in December.
The Peacocks also bring back experience and leadership with graduate student
Ashton Smith, seniors Victor Fuentes, Dean Lliguicota, Daniel Sanchez, Anthony Torres, Audrey Hill Franco; juniors Tristan Raso, Leah Cunas, Niela Dawlett; and sophomores Paxton Gibson, Gwendolyn Mendez, Eloise Schirtzinger, and
Brianna Surichaqui.
The men's roster grows with the addition of eight newcomers:
Austin Carducci, William Horrisberger, Nikita Kaminskas, Patch Robinson, Taj Seton-Martin, Jeff Thompson, Emerson Tofel, and
Ean Vellescig. On the women's side, Saint Peter's welcomes
Nathaly Yamileth Banegas Franco, Elettra Dalcerri, Michelle Kaminskas, Madison Petricevic, Francesca Solano, Chris Carolin Weiss, and
Hailey Zeszotarski.
The men and women's swim and dive team is led by
Jose Cruz and he is assisted by
Eric Dirvin and
Kamila Pawka.
The Alumni Meet marks the first chance for fans to see this year's Peacocks in action and kicks off a new season of growth for the program. The team's season officially begins on October 10 at the NJIT Invite, held at the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center (WEC).
For continuing coverage of Saint Peter's University Athletics, visit SaintPetersPeacocks.com and follow the Peacocks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
