MALIBU, Calif. – Cal Lutheran men's and women's swimming and diving opened the 2026-27 season with a strong showing at the Rodionoff Invitational, hosted by Pepperdine on October 9-10. Both squads finished first among Division III teams, combining for numerous event victories across the two-day meet.

The Regals picked up six event victories, led by Taylor Thompson, who won three individual events. Thompson claimed the 200-yard individual medley in 2:14.60, the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:09.69 and the 400-yard IM in 4:43.44. She also finished second in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:30.34.

Victoria Lawrence, Olivia Badaracco and Joli Fong each added an individual victory. Lawrence won the 1,000-yard freestyle in 10:55.89, Badaracco took first in the 200-yard backstroke in 2:10.85, and Fong won the 200-yard butterfly in 2:18.37.

The Regals also opened Friday's competition with a win in the 200-yard freestyle relay. Lawrence, Kylie Marlatt, Badaracco and Abbey Kantz combined for a time of 1:39.91 to secure the victory.

Cal Lutheran added runner-up finishes in both the 400-yard medley relay and 200-yard medley relay. Badaracco, Thompson, Lawrence and Kantz clocked 4:06.41 in the 400 medley relay, while Badaracco, Thompson, Lawrence and Marlatt finished the 200 medley relay in 1:51.95.

Other top finishes included Hanna Heard's second-place performance in the 500-yard freestyle (5:29.99), Lawrence's third-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle (2:01.38), Badaracco's third-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke (1:00.63) and Kantz's third-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle (55.08).

The Kingsmen also made an immediate impact, earning seven event victories across individual and relay competition.

Zach Zauhar-Kurr led the way with three individual wins, taking the 200-yard individual medley in 1:55.63, the 200-yard butterfly in 1:59.68 and the 400-yard individual medley in 4:12.63. Will Cooper added two victories of his own, winning the 100-yard breaststroke in 56.99 and the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:07.32.

Noah Takano won the 100-yard butterfly in 52.37, while Cooper, Ian Reece, Tristan Serrano and Ethan Santiago opened the meet with a victory in the 200-yard freestyle relay, finishing in 1:27.32.

The Kingsmen also claimed the 200-yard medley relay title. Takano, Cooper, Ethan Lavery and Reece combined for a time of 1:37.06 to secure another first-place finish.

Cal Lutheran earned runner-up finishes in both the 400-yard medley relay and 400-yard freestyle relay. Takano, Cooper, Lavery and Zauhar-Kurr finished the 400 medley relay in 3:34.70, while Reece, Adam Santiago, Cooper and Zauhar-Kurr clocked 3:14.81 in the 400 freestyle relay.

Additional top individual finishes included Adam Santiago's second-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle (1:47.23), Ethan Santiago's runner-up performance in the 50-yard freestyle (22.41) and Edgar Martinez's second-place finish in the 500-yard freestyle (5:00.35).

The Kingsmen and Regals return to the pool Saturday, October 17, for the annual Alumni Meet and BBQ at the Samuelson Aquatics Center, beginning at 10 a.m. Cal Lutheran's next official competition is Saturday, November 7, when it hosts Pomona-Pitzer and Westmont in a tri-meet at 10:30 a.m.