TACOMA, WA — The University of La Verne swim and dive team opened its 2025 campaign with an impressive showing at an exhibition meet against Pacific Lutheran University. The non-scored meet featured combined relays (two men and two women per team) and gave the Leopards a chance to showcase both veteran leadership and promising new talent.
Big Winners for La Verne:
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Lily Florez (JR) dominated the sprints, capturing victories in both the 50 freestyle and 50 butterfly while also contributing to the winning 200 freestyle relay.
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Delaney "DJ" Morris (FR) made a statement in her collegiate debut, winning the 100 and 150 freestyle events and placing second to Florez in the 50 free.
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Jaden Feliciano (JR) opened the meet with back-to-back wins in the 200 medley relay and 300 freestyle, later anchoring the final relay to another victory and earning second place in the 150 free.
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Neve Dagdagan (JR) was a major relay contributor, swimming on both winning mixed relays (200 medley and 200 freestyle). She also captured the 50 backstroke title and took second in the 150 back.
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Jordan Clarke (FR) nearly broke a varsity record in the 100 IM, winning with a time of 1:02.56 (just shy of Mary Hana's 1:02.33 mark). Clarke also helped the winning 200 mixed medley relay and earned second-place finishes in both the 50 and 150 breaststroke.
Other Notable Performances:
Head coach Pat Skehan praised the team's depth and early-season energy:
"It was a great kick off to our season with a strong junior class setting the pace and helping our freshmen step up and race effectively. This was our best start in quite a few years, and when your freshmen are chasing varsity records in the first meet of the season and your juniors are starting faster than they were last year, it sets us up for a solid season. It was a total team event with almost all of our athletes finishing in a scoring position."
The Leopards have one more exhibition on November 1 at Mt. San Antonio College before opening the regular season at Redlands on November 7.
