JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Saint Peter's swimming and diving programs return to action Saturday, January 24, for their final home meet of the season at the Eugene and Teresa Imperatore Swimming and Diving Center inside the Victor R. Yanitelli, S.J. Recreational Life Center. The Peacocks will host LIU, Monmouth, and Felician, with first splash set for 5 p.m.
Prior to the meet, Saint Peter's will honor its graduating class:
Victor Fuentes, Dean Lliguicota, Daniel Sanchez, Anthony Torres, Audrey Hill Franco, and graduate students Ashton Smith and Madison Petricevic.
The Peacocks enter the weekend riding momentum from a dominant showing against Manhattan, where both squads controlled the meet from start to finish. Saint Peter's combined for 18 event wins across 28 races, with each program earning nine victories.
Gwendolyn Mendez led all swimmers with four gold-medal finishes, including three individual wins in the 200 IM, 50 breaststroke, and 100 breaststroke. Following her strong start to 2026, Mendez was named MAAC Swimmer of the Week for the first time in her career.
Maddie McKinney also delivered an impressive performance, collecting three individual golds by sweeping the 50- and 100-yard backstroke events and adding a win in the 500 freestyle.
On the men's side,
Victor Fuentes paced the squad with four podium finishes, highlighted by a pair of individual gold medals. Fuentes swept the breaststroke events, winning both the 50- and 100-yard races. He was subsequently named MAAC Swimmer of the Week for his efforts.
ABOUT THE SHARKS
LIU's women's team enters the weekend at 2-2 after earning a 135-126 victory over Le Moyne. The Sharks recorded nine first-place finishes in the meet, led by sophomore Amanda Gkeli, who claimed four golds in the 100 backstroke, 100 freestyle, and as part of the winning 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays. Senior Anapaula Gomez Janeiro added individual victories in the 200 butterfly and 1000 freestyle.
The LIU men are 1-2 on the season and are coming off a close 131-117 loss to Le Moyne. Despite the result, the Sharks posted eight first-place finishes, highlighted by Finn Drysdale's wins in the 500 and 1000 freestyle, along with victories from Polat Tasbai in the 100 breaststroke and Emilio Garcia in the 200 IM. LIU will face Wagner on Friday before traveling to Jersey City.
Head coach Jon Pepaj is in his third season leading the Sharks.
ABOUT THE GOLDEN FALCONS
Felician's women's team enters the weekend at 6-3 after opening the season with a five-meet win streak and placing fifth at the ECAC Championships. The Golden Falcons opened 2026 at a multi-team meet, defeating Adelphi while falling to Wellesley, Bentley, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. In their most recent outing, Felician fell to Pace, with Isabella Gautier du Defaix leading the way by winning the 100 and 200 breaststroke events and helping the 200 medley relay to a second-place finish.
The men's team sits at 1-6 and is looking to snap a six-meet skid. Despite a recent loss to Pace, Malik Biad stood out with three individual victories in the 1000 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, and 200 breaststroke, while also anchoring the 200 freestyle relay to second place.
Head coach Chris Dunn is in his second season with the program.
ABOUT THE HAWKS
Monmouth's women's team is 1-3 this season, earning its lone victory in a decisive win over Manhattan. In their most recent meet, the Hawks fell to Stony Brook, though Bailey Rynkiewicz led the way with three individual wins in the 50 butterfly, 200 freestyle, and 500 freestyle.
The Monmouth men are 2-1 on the year with victories over MAAC opponents Iona and Manhattan. The Hawks have not competed since November, when they placed fifth at the Patriot Invitational. Izan Arroyo Lopez del Castillo has paced the squad with seven first-place finishes, three school records, and several of the top times in the CAA. He was named CAA Rookie Swimmer of the Month for November/December.
Head coach Hayley Masi is in her first season with the Hawks.
ALL TIME SERIES
Saint Peter's is seeking its first win against LIU, with the women 0-6 and the men 0-4 all-time. The Sharks swept the most recent meeting on both sides.
Against Felician, the women are 0-1, while Saturday marks the first-ever meeting between the men's programs.
Versus Monmouth, the women are 0-9, while the men hold a 4-5 record. Saint Peter's last victory over the Hawks came in a 168-103 win in January 2019.
For continuing coverage of Saint Peter's University Athletics, visit SaintPetersPeacocks.com and follow the Peacocks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
