Swimming and Diving

Aztecs Prep for Another Double Dual Meet on Monday

The San Diego State swim and dive program resumes its busy stretch early this week when it plays host to Pepperdine and Cal State East Bay in another double dual meet on Monday, Jan. 5 at Aztec Aquaplex. First swim is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. PT, and admission is free.

Aztecs Prep for Another Double Dual Meet on MondayAztecs Prep for Another Double Dual Meet on Monday
Derrick Tuskan/SDSU Athletics

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State swim and dive program resumes its busy stretch early this week when it plays host to Pepperdine and Cal State East Bay in another double dual meet on Monday, Jan. 5 at Aztec Aquaplex. First swim is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. PT, and admission is free.

The Aztecs will battle the Waves and Pioneers in 14 swimming events. The day’s action features one flight of the 1,000 freestyle along with two heats of the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke, 200 butterfly and 50 freestyle.

Following a 15-minute break, the meet continues with another pair of heats in the 100 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, 500 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 400 individual medley and 400 freestyle relay. A 10-minute break is also slated between the 100 fly and 400 IM. In the meantime, SDSU will also square off against Pepperdine in 1-meter and 3-meter diving.

The Aztecs are coming off a sweep of San Diego (153-132) and Vanderbilt (146-107) in a double dual meet on Jan. 2, which opened the Scarlet and Black’s home schedule.

With the victories, SDSU extended its winning streak to 82 dual meets dating back to Jan. 8, 2018, when it was dealt a 153-147 defeat by Colorado State on Jan. 8, 2018.

Against the Toreros and Commodores, the Aztecs posted the fastest times or highest marks in 14 of 16 events and were awarded victories in 11 of those to raise their record to 7-0 in dual-meet competition this season.

Individually, Reka Nyiradi (200 free), Moa Bergdahl (100 breast), Sierra Tallman (200 fly), Alli Mann (50 free), Kaydence Bispo (100 free), Roni Black (200 breast) and Amber Janky (500 free) all claimed event titles that counted towards SDSU’s team scores. In addition, Storm, Bergdahl and Mann joined forces with Alyssa Schiller on the Aztecs’ triumphant 200 medley relay team.

Entering the week, Storm owns the Mountain West’s fastest time in the 200 back (1:53.27) and is slotted second in the 100 back (52.03), which rank 29th and 33rd in the nation, respectively, as of Jan. 4. Additionally, SDSU’s 800 free relay team of Bispo, Nyiradi, Janky and Melanie Quinto boasts the league’s top performance at 7:13.77, which is good for 33rd in the country.

The Aztecs have emerged triumphant in all 25 encounters with Pepperdine since 2001, including an 83-59 victory in Malibu on Oct. 9. In that meet, SDSU captured seven swimming events on the day, posting 1-2 finishes in both relays to help key the decision. Additionally, the Aztecs recorded the seven fastest times in the 100 individual medley and featured at the least the top three placers in two other individual events.

Among the highlights for the Scarlet and Black was Mann, who claimed an event crown in the 50 fly before tying Schiller for the top spot in the 50 free.

The Waves have been idle since logging a second-place team finish at the Northwest Collegiate Swimming Invitational, Nov. 21-23, in Boise, Idaho. Pepperdine’s placement was bolstered by victories in three relay events (200 free, 200 medley, 400 medley), all of which marked meet records.

The Waves will battle one additional Mountain West foe in head-to-head competition this season when they host Fresno State in a two-day affair, Jan.9-10.

Meanwhile, SDSU has captured all six dual meets against Cal State East Bay, including a 104-89 triumph last season at Aztec Aquaplex on Jan. 7, 2025. The Aztecs were victorious in 11 of 13 events, as nine different competitors posted individual victories along with a pair of relays.

Among returners, Mann (200 free), Bispo (500 free) and Bergdahl (100 breast) captured event titles in their respective events.

San Diego State is the third of four Mountain West schools that the Pioneers will face this season. The Pioneers dropped a 174-67 decision at Nevada on Oct. 4, before falling at Fresno State by a 190-71 count on Oct. 24. After battling the Aztecs, East Bay will play host to San José State on Jan. 9.

Following Monday’s meet, San Diego State divers will compete at the UCLA Bruin Diving Invitational, Jan. 9-11, in Westwood, California.