GENEVA, OH– The Saint Peter's swimming and diving programs prepare for the 2026 MAAC Championships at the SPIRE Aquatics Center from February 11–14, marking the third straight year competing at the venue. The four-day meet will feature 40 events across seven sessions, with Saint Peter's competing in all but three.
Preliminaries begin at 10 a.m. on day two, and finals are held each evening at 6 p.m. All seven sessions will be streamed on ESPN+.
LAST TIME OUT
The women closed the regular season with a 174-76 loss to Siena but recorded 11 podium finishes.
Francesca Solano Vargas and
Gwendolyn Mendez led the way with individual golds in the 100 backstroke and 100 IM.
Eloise Schirtzinger added two bronze finishes, while
Maddie McKinney, Paige Austin-Burrows, and
Chris Carolin Weiss also reached the podium. Saint Peter's placed in both relay events, highlighted by a third-place finish in the 200 medley relay.
The men enter the championships following a win over Felician and competitive meets against LIU and Monmouth.
Patch Robinson led the squad with two bronze medals, while
Juan Nunez and
Ean Vellescig added podium finishes in distance and breaststroke events.
COMPETING PEACOCKS
29 Peacocks will represent the programs, with 15 men and 14 women competing across 37 events, including all ten relays. Each Peacock will compete in at least three events each. The first day of action for Saint Peter's begins with both programs hitting the blocks in the 200 medley relay and 800 freestyle relay.
Representing Saint Peter's for the women will be:
Audrey Hill Franco, Eloise Schirtzinger, Gwendolyn Mendez, Michelle Kaminskas, Hailey Zeszotarski, Chris Carolin Weiss, Paige Austin-Burrows, Madison Petricevic, Elettra Dalcerri, Niela Dawlett, Brianna Surichaqui, Leah Cunas, Francesca Solano Vargas, and
Maddie McKinney.
The men's side will feature:
Juan Nunez, Patch Robinson, Ean Vellescig, Austin Carducci, Victor Fuentes, Emerson Tofel, Ashton Smith, Jeffrey Thompson, Nikita Kaminskas, Tristan Raso, Taj Seton-Martin, Paxton Gibson, Anthony Torres, Dean Lliguicota, and
Daniel Sanchez.
KEY PEACOCKS TO WATCH
Paige Austin-Burrows has been a cornerstone of the women's lineup, totaling 34 podium finishes and seven top-10 program times. She was named MAAC Swimmer of the Week after five individual victories across two MAAC contests and earned All-Academic honors.
Madison Petricevic has impressed in her debut season with 21 podium finishes and five top-10 program marks, including the second-fastest backstroke time in school history.
Gwendolyn Mendez has collected 25 podium finishes and earned her first career Swimmer of the Week honor following a dominant performance against Manhattan.
Juan Nunez leads the men with 25 podium finishes, including 10 individual wins. A two-time MAAC Swimmer of the Week, he has added multiple top-10 program times this season.
Victor Fuentes has been a steady presence in the breaststroke events, earning 21 podium finishes, including four 100 breaststroke victories.
Patch Robinson has had a breakout freshman campaign, earning 14 podium finishes, etching his name in the program's top ten four times, and becoming the first male Peacock to win back-to-back MAAC Rookie of the Week honors.
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
DAY ONE, SESSION I
Events include the men's and women's 200 medley relay, 800 freestyle relay, and the women's 1-meter dive.
DAY TWO, SESSION II
Events include the 500 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 50 freestyle, and conclude with the men's 3-meter dive.
SESSION III
The top 16 times from each event in the morning session will compete in the finals later that evening. The evening finals will also feature both the men's and women's 200 freestyle relay.
DAY THREE, SESSION IV
Events include the 100 butterfly, 400 IM, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke, and the women's 1-meter dive.
SESSION V
The top 16 times from each event in the morning session will compete in the finals later that evening. The evening finals will also feature both the men's and women's 400 medley relay.
DAY FOUR, SESSION VI
The final preliminaries feature the 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, and conclude with the men's 1-meter dive.
SESSION VII
The final session of the championships will begin at 3 pm, starting with the 1650 freestyle. Doors open at 2:30 pm.
The top 16 times from each event in the morning session will compete in the finals later that evening. The evening finals will also feature both the men's and women's 400 freestyle relay.
AROUND THE MAAC
Standout Women:
Natalie Killion (Niagara) enters as the conference's top swimmer, riding a 12-race individual win streak.
Natasha De Pree (Fairfield) has totaled 35 podium finishes–including 23 individual golds, 3x Rookie of the Week, and 2x Swimmer of the Week honors.
Carmen Del Aguila (Mount St. Mary's) has posted 20 podium finishes and earned Swimmer of the Week recognition after her performance at the ECAC Championships, with six first-place finishes.
Standout Men:
Max Buchen (Iona) leads the men's field with 35 podium finishes and 12 individual wins.
Balazs Ament (Fairfield) ranks second in the MAAC with 36 podium finishes and dominates breaststroke events, including seven victories in the 200 breastroke
Adam Jozsa (Mount St. Mary's) has emerged as a top freshman with 18 podium finishes.
LAST YEAR AT MAACS
Niagara swept both team championships in 2025, with the men earning their first title in over three decades and the women claiming a second straight crown. Saint Peter's men placed eighth, while the women tied for 11th.
Austin-Burrows highlighted the meet with a school record in the 100 butterfly. Nunez had a strong performance with a seventh-place finish in the men's 400-yard IM, while Raso also had a seventh-place finish in the men's 100-yard butterfly.
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