University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics
UNC Swimming & Diving Celebrates National Records, Podium Finishes, and International Success
3/24/2025 8:23:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Bears Shine in Record-Breaking Season
GREELEY, Colo. – The Northern Colorado women's swimming and diving team wrapped up a remarkable 2024-25 season, highlighted by record-breaking performances, international success, and a strong showing at the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Championships. The Bears finished sixth at the WAC Championships with 458.5 points and recorded multiple podium finishes, along with standout performances throughout the season.
"This team put together an incredible season," said Head Coach Lisa Ebeling. "From setting national records to breaking school records and earning multiple podium finishes at the WAC Championships, our athletes have continued to raise the bar. I'm extremely proud of their dedication and resilience throughout the year."
International Success
Northern Colorado swimmers Maria Erokhina and Kyra Rabess shined on the global stage at the 2024 Short Course World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Erokhina broke Cyprus national records in both the 100-meter breaststroke (1:09.49) and 200-meter breaststroke (2:31.31). Rabess set Cayman Islands national records in the 400-meter freestyle (4:14.77) and 800-meter freestyle (8:46.13), further solidifying the Bears' impact on international competition.
Record-Breaking Performances
The Bears continued to leave their mark on the record books throughout the season. Madison Berg set a new school record in the 1-meter dive, scoring 309.30 to surpass the long-standing mark of 305.55 set by Kelly Schmeckpepper-Cook in 2011.
Another standout moment came from the 800 free relay team of Kyra Rabess, Lora Konter, Martina Yuki Trionfetti, and Lily Mayer, who dominated the field en route to a first-place finish. Their winning time of 7:14.85 not only secured gold but also shattered the previous school record of 7:16.69, set in 2023.
WAC Championship Highlights
UNC capped off the season with a strong performance at the WAC Championships, securing multiple podium finishes and personal bests.
Key highlights include:
Kyra Rabess earned a bronze medal in the 1650 freestyle with a time of 16:44.68, while teammates Emma On-The-Hill (17:07.74) and Lily Mayer (17:22.90) finished ninth and 12th, respectively.
Martina Yuki Trionfetti took third in the 100 freestyle (49.78), adding another medal to the Bears' tally. Lora Konter (51.51) and Vitoria Simioni (51.53) placed 20th and 21st.
Maria Erokhina claimed silver in the 200 breaststroke (2:13.43), while Birgitta Ingolfsdottir (2:17.56) and Rachel Ley (2:19.47) finished 11th and 12th.
Ellyson Lombardi tied for third in the 200 butterfly (1:59.66), with Payten Irwin finishing sixth (2:01.83).
Ariane Bernier led UNC in the 200 backstroke with a sixth-place finish (2:00.70), followed by strong performances from teammates Reese Hazan (16th, 2:04.54), Linnea Haan (17th, 2:01.60), Audrey Vannelli (18th, 2:03.13), and Sloane Antonetz (19th, 2:03.20).
The Bears secured silver in the 400 freestyle relay, as Trionfetti, Lombardi, Konter, and Rabess combined for a time of 3:21.68.
FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the women's swim and dive team on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsSwim), Instagram (@UNC_BearsSwim_Dive), and Facebook (/UNCOBearsswimdive).
"This team put together an incredible season," said Head Coach Lisa Ebeling. "From setting national records to breaking school records and earning multiple podium finishes at the WAC Championships, our athletes have continued to raise the bar. I'm extremely proud of their dedication and resilience throughout the year."
International Success
Northern Colorado swimmers Maria Erokhina and Kyra Rabess shined on the global stage at the 2024 Short Course World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Erokhina broke Cyprus national records in both the 100-meter breaststroke (1:09.49) and 200-meter breaststroke (2:31.31). Rabess set Cayman Islands national records in the 400-meter freestyle (4:14.77) and 800-meter freestyle (8:46.13), further solidifying the Bears' impact on international competition.
Record-Breaking Performances
The Bears continued to leave their mark on the record books throughout the season. Madison Berg set a new school record in the 1-meter dive, scoring 309.30 to surpass the long-standing mark of 305.55 set by Kelly Schmeckpepper-Cook in 2011.
Another standout moment came from the 800 free relay team of Kyra Rabess, Lora Konter, Martina Yuki Trionfetti, and Lily Mayer, who dominated the field en route to a first-place finish. Their winning time of 7:14.85 not only secured gold but also shattered the previous school record of 7:16.69, set in 2023.
WAC Championship Highlights
UNC capped off the season with a strong performance at the WAC Championships, securing multiple podium finishes and personal bests.
Key highlights include:
Kyra Rabess earned a bronze medal in the 1650 freestyle with a time of 16:44.68, while teammates Emma On-The-Hill (17:07.74) and Lily Mayer (17:22.90) finished ninth and 12th, respectively.
Martina Yuki Trionfetti took third in the 100 freestyle (49.78), adding another medal to the Bears' tally. Lora Konter (51.51) and Vitoria Simioni (51.53) placed 20th and 21st.
Maria Erokhina claimed silver in the 200 breaststroke (2:13.43), while Birgitta Ingolfsdottir (2:17.56) and Rachel Ley (2:19.47) finished 11th and 12th.
Ellyson Lombardi tied for third in the 200 butterfly (1:59.66), with Payten Irwin finishing sixth (2:01.83).
Ariane Bernier led UNC in the 200 backstroke with a sixth-place finish (2:00.70), followed by strong performances from teammates Reese Hazan (16th, 2:04.54), Linnea Haan (17th, 2:01.60), Audrey Vannelli (18th, 2:03.13), and Sloane Antonetz (19th, 2:03.20).
The Bears secured silver in the 400 freestyle relay, as Trionfetti, Lombardi, Konter, and Rabess combined for a time of 3:21.68.
FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the women's swim and dive team on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsSwim), Instagram (@UNC_BearsSwim_Dive), and Facebook (/UNCOBearsswimdive).
Players Mentioned
Back/Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diver
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Breaststroke
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
IM/Butterfly/Backstroke
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Fly
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Mid Distance Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
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