MALIBU, Calif. – Cal Lutheran men's swim and dive kicked off its 2025-26 season this past weekend at the annual Rodionoff Invite hosted by Pepperdine. The Kingsmen finished in second place with 278 points while competing against a variety of collegiate competition across all levels.

Returners Andreas Nordlund and McKay Nelms picked up right where they left off last year in their respective individual events. Nordlund posted marks of 21.90s and 47.86s in the 50y free and 100y free. Nelms recorded times of 53.39S and 1:54.08s in the 100y back and 200y back. Sebi Petho completed the 1,000y free in 10:14.23s.

A quartet of newcomers made an immediate impact for the Kingsmen. Gabe Benitez set a top-10 program mark (9th) in the 1,000y free with a time of 10:21.78s. Ian Reece swam the 200y IM in 2:00.84s and Tristan Serrano completed the 200y free in 1:46.44s. First-year diver Camden Franjieh showed out both days, including a score of 191.70 in the 1-meter dive.

Cal Lutheran will have some time off before dual meets begin on November 8 when Pomona-Pitzer and Westmont will come to Thousand Oaks for an early-season showdown.