RIO GRANDE VALLEY – Building on the momentum of an inaugural season is a challenge the UTRGV swimming & diving program has met with record-breaking results, increased depth, and another postseason appearance.
 
The Vaqueros opened their season with a dominating performance against UT Permian Basin, winning every event en route to a 215-75 victory. Sophomore Manou Meulebeek clinched UTRGV's second-straight postseason appearance after qualifying for the NCAA Zone "D" Diving Championships in the 3-meter springboard.
 
Meulebeek continued her hot streak, qualifying for the NCAA Zone "D" Diving Championships on the 1-meter springboard in the home opener against fellow Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) member Incarnate Word the following weekend. Sophomore Annaleagh Stahl continued to build on her excellent freshman campaign, earning two wins and second place finish at the meet. These standout performances, as well as great races from the entire team helped the Vaqueros narrow the Cardinals margin of victory from 99 in 2024-25 to 63 in 2025-26.
 
The Vaqueros learned a lot in year two, visiting programs that they haven't previously competed against at the Rice Fall Invite, West Florida Tri-Meet, and Bowling Green dual meet. Testing the waters and their mettle against some of the best competition at these programs respective levels will help the Vaqueros prepare for the spring and eventually the conference championships.
 
UTRGV closed out the fall with standout performances at the Northwest Collegiate Invite, hosted by Idaho, and the NAU Diving Invite, hosted by Northern Arizona. At their midseason meets, the Vaqueros set 11 program records alongside a handful of top-eight finishes against good competition.
 
Freshmen Sarah Bull, Dia Henderson, and Jaydy Jay have provided a huge boost in their respective fields and have broken multiple records for the program. Bull, an all-around star, has set new records in the 500 freestyle (5:06.94), 100 butterfly (58.22), and 200 butterfly (2:09.56).
 
Henderson has established herself as a top sprinter for UTRGV, setting records in the 50 freestyle (24.09) and 100 freestyle (52.35). Meanwhile, Jay continues to solidify her spot as UTRGV's best breaststroker setting records in the 100 breaststroke (1:07.60) and 200 breaststroke (2:24.85).
 
Now, the Vaqueros will turn their attention to the spring where they will open at home against fellow MPSF member New Mexico State on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 11 a.m. at the City of Pharr-PSJA Natatorium. All regular season home meets are free for the public. Fans are required to download the UTRGV Swimming & Diving Pass for admission. Fans can register for the UTRGV Swimming & Diving Pass at GoUTRGV.com/SDPass.
 
UTRGV will then hit the road for the next two meets against North Texas on Jan. 24 and Little Rock from Jan. 30-31.
 
Then, the Vaqueros will make history as they host the MPSF Swimming & Diving Championships in their first season in the conference. In addition, this will be the first swimming & diving conference championship that UTRGV hosts in which the program will compete as the school hosted the 2022 and 2023 Western Athletic Conference Swimming & Diving Championships.

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