The University of the Pacific swimming program ended the season on a high note at the National Invitational Championship, with the men’s team finishing in the top 10 and the women moving up 15 places since they last competed in 2023.

The championship took place at the FAST Facility in Ocala, Florida from Thursday, March 13 to Saturday, March 15.

The men’s team, which won the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference title last month, took ninth place out of the 57 participating teams with 734.2 points. The women earned 28th place with 681.1 points.

Both teams made year-to-year strides as the men moved up three places from last season while the women finished in 43rd place two years ago.

“Our goal was to move up and score more points than last year, and we did just that," sixth-year head coach Katelyne Herrington said. "The men were looking to be top 10, and we placed ninth, which left the weekend and season accomplished. We couldn't have imagined a better ending to the season."

A standout performance for the men came from junior Mattia Giurgevich ’26, a business finance major who earned a gold and a silver medal. The native of Limbiate, Italy recorded a personal best with a time of 24.39 in the 50 breast on the opening day, which presented him the gold medal. Giurgevich also notched second place in the 100 breast, clocking a time of 53.45.

“I just want to execute my race and focus on the details,” Giurgevich said. “I know if I just focus on that, it would have been a good race.”

Herrington is proud to have seen Giurgevich shine in his standout performance after his dedication to the work he put in.

“This was Mattia’s first season with Pacific, transferring from Lindenwood as a successful athlete,” Herrington said. “I was very excited to work and coach him. As I got to know Mattia more, I was able to identify his strengths and weaknesses, both physically and mentally, and worked on those areas all season. Mattia came in almost every week to get extra work in, whether that was details in the water or just visiting the coaches to strengthen his mindset. Coming into conference and nationals, I knew he was ready to perform. He truly earned his accomplishment and I’m very happy for him.”

While Giurgevich stood in the limelight, the men's team collected eight personal bests and a pair of season bests in the effort while the women’s team tallied six personal bests. The program sent 21 swimmers to Ocala, Florida, which was the most under Herrington’s leadership.

It was extra special for the seniors that left their mark on the program who got to go out with one last dance.

“This past weekend competing at NICs was the perfect way to close out our swimming careers,” senior health and science major Noemi Melendez ’25 said.

“It was so inspiring to be surrounded by our teammates who worked hard to qualify for this meet,” senior Paige Sondgeroth ’25, a business administration- marketing major added. “All of them had set goals at the beginning of the season and to see many achieve them this weekend was special. We have so much love for this team and are excited for the future of the program with how well this season ended.”

Pacific put a bow on its 2024-25 season with high hopes of carrying over the success into next season and beyond.