University of Northern Colorado Athletics
University of Northern Colorado
MPSF Conference Championships
Erokhina Qualifies for NCAA Meet as Bears Break Relay Record, Hold Third Entering Final Day
2/27/2026 9:39:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving
PHARR, Texas – Northern Colorado turned in one of its strongest championship sessions in program history on day three of the MPSF Championships, highlighted by an NCAA qualifying swim, multiple top-10 all-time performances and a record-breaking relay victory. The Bears closed the night in third place in the team standings with 791.5 points, firmly in contention entering the final day.
The headline performance came from Maria Erokhina in the 100 breaststroke. Erokhina captured the conference title in 59.96, becoming the first Bear in program history to break the one-minute barrier in the event. Her time marks a new Northern Colorado school record, ranks No. 1 all-time for UNC and secured NCAA qualification. Teammate Avi Tromp added valuable points with a fifth-place finish in 1:02.59, moving to No. 6 on the program's all-time list.
Northern Colorado's depth was on full display in the 400 IM, where four Bears posted all-time marks. In the A Final, Hlaa Diab placed fourth in 4:22.65 (No. 4 all-time) while Agathi Manoli finished seventh in 4:24.28 (No. 5 all-time). Audrey Vannelli led the B Final with a 10th-place finish in 4:25.82, now No. 6 all-time, and Linnea Haan added a 15th-place swim of 4:28.15 after swimming 4:27.23 in prelims, moving into the No. 9 spot in school history. Emma On-The-Hill rounded out the event for UNC in the C Final.
In the 100 butterfly, Ellyson Lombardi powered to a runner-up finish in 53.75, climbing to No. 3 all-time at Northern Colorado. The Bears followed that momentum into the 200 freestyle, where Kyra Rabess (5th, 1:49.65) and Lora Konter (6th, 1:50.19) secured A Final points, while Vitoria Simioni captured the B Final win in 1:50.02 to move to No. 9 in program history.
The backstroke group continued to stack points as Martina Yuki Trionfetti placed second in the 100 back in 54.64, ranking No. 3 all-time at UNC. Ariane Bernier added an eighth-place A Final finish after a 55.53 prelim time (No. 8 all-time), and Alexis Mishler posted a 10th-place swim in the B Final (55.69, No. 9 all-time).
Northern Colorado capped the night in emphatic fashion, winning the 400 medley relay behind the quartet of Martina Yuki Trionfetti, Maria Erokhina, Ellyson Lombardi and Kyra Rabess. The group touched in 3:37.25, setting a new school record and pool record while climbing to No. 1 all-time in UNC history.
Through three days, the Bears have combined championship victories with record-breaking depth across multiple strokes, positioning themselves just behind Northern Arizona and New Mexico State as the meet heads into its final session.
Team Standings
1. Northern Arizona University 912
2. New Mexico State University 795
3. Northern Colorado, University 791.5
4. Cal Baptist University 654
5. Idaho, University of 607.5
6. Utah Tech University 422.5
7. Pepperdine University 408
8. University of the Pacific 344
9. University of Incarnate Word 282.5
10. Univ Texas Rio Grande Valley 202
SWOMEN CLUB: The Swomen Club plays a vital role in the success of UNC Swimming & Diving, providing elite training gear, enhanced nutrition and championship-level travel opportunities. These investments directly support our student-athletes as they prepare to compete at the MPSF Championships and ensure the Bears are equipped to perform at their best.
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Players Mentioned
