In a spirited conclusion to a demanding three-meet homestand, the University of Idaho Swim and Dive team welcomed the Colorado State Rams from the Mountain West Conference for an intense two-day showdown at the University Swim Center in Moscow, Idaho.
The event showcased fierce competition, multiple personal bests, and record-breaking performances from the Vandals.
Day One: Dominance on the Diving Boards
The two-day meet began with diving on Friday, and Idaho’s divers immediately made their mark.
Maya Salvitti, already qualified for Zone E Championships in both events, triumphed in both the 1M and 3M springboards with stellar scores of 325.43 and 271.35, respectively.
Teammate Amelia Ward displayed strong consistency, earning bronze medals in both events with scores of 265.65 and 257.70.
Day Two: Vandal Swimmers Shine in the Pool
The momentum carried into the pool events, where Idaho swimmers delivered outstanding performances.
In the 1000-yard freestyle, sophomore Holly Lenarz took first place with a time of 10:20.87.
Isabelle Borke continued her winning streak by capturing the 200-yard freestyle title in 1:50.53.
In the 50-yard freestyle, Madelyn Butler (23.53) and Katy Foley (23.83) clinched second and third place, respectively, giving Idaho a clean sweep of the podium.
Record-Breaking Performance by Ginger Kiefer
Star swimmer Ginger Kiefer added another milestone to her career, breaking a school record in the 100-yard individual medley (IM) with a blazing time of 57.16.
This marked Kiefer’s first record of the season, following her remarkable achievements at the WAC Championships, where she claimed four school records and three individual titles.
Strong Finishes in Relays and Breaststroke
Courtney Crawford excelled in the 100-yard breaststroke, finishing first with 1:03.67, marking her first-ever time under 1:04.
In relay events, Idaho’s team of Butler, Foley, Borke, and Sydney Heasman captured the 200-yard freestyle relay title, while Kiefer, Crawford, Butler, and Heasman secured silver in the 200-yard medley relay.
Personal Bests and Close Finishes
Across the two-day meet, the Vandals claimed victories in seven of thirteen events between swimming and diving. Several athletes achieved career-best performances:
| Event | Athlete | New Record / Personal Best | Time / Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1M & 3M Diving | Maya Salvitti | Double Event Win | 325.43 / 271.35 |
| 1000Y Freestyle | Holly Lenarz | Event Winner | 10:20.87 |
| 200Y Freestyle | Isabelle Borke | Event Winner | 1:50.53 |
| 100Y IM | Ginger Kiefer | School Record | 57.16 |
| 100Y Breaststroke | Courtney Crawford | Personal Best | 1:03.67 |
| 500Y Freestyle | Marie Mason | First Sub-5 Minute Finish | 4:58.23 |
| 100Y Freestyle | Isabelle Borke | First Sub-51 Seconds | 50.98 |
Despite Idaho’s remarkable performance, the Rams edged ahead in the final rounds to secure the overall win.
What’s Next for Idaho Swim and Dive
After completing three consecutive home meets, the Vandals will enjoy a well-earned week of rest.
Next, the diving team will travel to California for the Trojan Diving Invitational beginning November 20, while the swimming squad will host the Northwest Collegiate Invite at the Idaho Central Aquatics Center in Boise starting November 21.
The Idaho Vandals concluded their home stretch with confidence and impressive performances across multiple disciplines.
From record-setting swims to breakthrough dives, the team’s progress highlights their determination and talent heading into the midseason competitions. Fans can look forward to even greater achievements as Idaho continues to build momentum.
