The Master’s University Captures 2026 GSAC Men’s Swimming Title at Soka
| Place | Participant | Final | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 274 | 274 | |
| 2 | 145.5 | 145.5 | |
| 3 | 122 | 122 | |
| 4 | 80 | 80 | |
| 5 | 64.5 | 64.5 | |
| 6 | 33 | 33 |
The Master’s University dominated the final day of the 2026 GSAC Men’s Swimming Championships on Saturday, rolling to the team title at the Soka Aquatics Center with 274 points. Arizona Christian finished second with 145.5 points, followed by College of Idaho (122), host Soka (80), Ottawa (Ariz.) (64.5) and Simpson (33). The Mustangs used depth across strokes and distances, along with strong relay scoring, to separate from the field in the season-ending conference meet.
Individually, The Master’s stacked the podium in several key events. Evan Nail led the way with a commanding win in the 200-yard breaststroke, touching in 1:58.81. His performance capped a standout season and helped earn him GSAC Swimmer of the Year honors. In the backstroke, Ethan Soni added another individual title for the Mustangs by winning the 200 back in 1:53.79, pacing a 1–2 finish for The Master’s with teammate Michael Loughboro taking second. Soni was later recognized as GSAC Freshman of the Year.
The Master’s also controlled the sprint freestyle and butterfly events down the stretch. In the 100-yard freestyle, Dylan Crane delivered the meet’s top sprint, clocking 44.63 to win the event and extend the Mustangs’ lead in the team standings. In the 200-yard butterfly, Izaiah Trevino-Lozano produced one of the most decisive swims of the session, claiming the title in 1:47.78. His performance helped secure his selection as GSAC Newcomer of the Year, underscoring the impact of the Mustangs’ younger athletes.
College of Idaho earned one of the marquee distance victories of the championship through Jace Zemlicka. Zemlicka captured the 1650-yard freestyle in 16:42.59, turning in the fastest distance swim of the meet and giving the Yotes a significant boost in the team race. His win highlighted a solid showing for College of Idaho, which held off Soka for third place in the overall standings.
Arizona Christian’s runner-up finish was built on consistent scoring across multiple events and strong relay contributions. While The Master’s controlled many of the top spots, the Firestorm stayed in contention for second by placing multiple swimmers in scoring positions and capitalizing in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Soka, Ottawa (Ariz.) and Simpson also added key points in the closing relay, which helped solidify the final team order and showcased depth across the conference.
The meet concluded with the 400-yard freestyle relay, where The Master’s, Arizona Christian, Soka and College of Idaho all secured important points to close out their championship campaigns. The Mustangs’ relay depth, combined with their individual event sweep on the final day, left little doubt in the team race. When the awards were announced, Nail (Swimmer of the Year), Trevino-Lozano (Newcomer of the Year), Soni (Freshman of the Year) and head coach Curren Bates, named GSAC Coach of the Year, underscored The Master’s complete performance at the conference level.
With the 2026 GSAC Men’s Swimming Championships in the books, The Master’s will carry significant momentum into postseason and national competition, while Arizona Christian and College of Idaho emerge with solid team finishes and individual highlights to build upon. For all six programs, the championship at Soka Aquatics Center provided a measuring stick for rising talent across the conference and set the stage for continued growth in the seasons ahead.
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