“Go Hawks” echoed through the natatorium, signaling the beginning of the first home women’s swim meet of the 2025 season. This season in particular is significant, because this is the first year of the Big West Conference for both the men’s and women’s swim teams. The Redhawks join the likes of Grand Canyon University and the University of San Diego. 

It is a big step not only for women’s swim, but for the whole athletics program. Joining the Big West Conference opens the door for many opportunities, including eligibility to compete in the Big West Championships and represent the Big West in the NCAA championship.  

“I think a lot of us are definitely excited to race some different schools and schools that are faster, which is great. It’ll be fun, we get to go to new locations,” Junior Clara Husaby said. 

Since the women’s team joined the new conference, they are facing tougher competition and are having to train harder.  

“I knew we would be really tired coming in. We just kind of finished a really heavy block of training the last two weeks… They raced hard; I like that. We just lost a lot of execution stuff, being as tired as we were,” head coach Joe Dykstra said. 

With it only being the team’s second meeting of the year, Dykstra is excited about the level of progress the team has made even in two weeks and is eager to make strides of improvement.

Despite the team’s challenges and their results, Junior Amanda Miller triumphed in the 100 fly with a 27.12-second time. While the training was intense and prolonged leading up to the meet, the team showed immense perseverance and embraced their own personal growth compared to the first.  

“I would say my best moment of the meet was probably my 200 fly. Like I said, it was a second faster than two weeks ago,” Husaby said. 

This demonstrates how each swim meet is a checkpoint for the team to assess what they need to work on to be more successful in the future.  

Throughout the meet, the unwavering support and encouragement among the teammates were palpable. Supportive language could be heard throughout the whole meet from family and friends. The men’s swimming team was also present, cheering on the women’s team and giving them pep talks throughout the meet. 

Even when they weren’t on top, their collective spirit remained strong and supportive. 

“We’re really good at supporting one another, even if you didn’t have the best race. I know that everyone’s going to be there to lift you up and get you ready for the next one,” Miller said.     

While it’s only the beginning of this year’s journey for the women’s swim team, they are excited about what is ahead of them with the new conference, as well as for their next meet.  

Their next big meet is scheduled for Oct. 24 at 4 p.m. and Oct. 25 at 10:30 a.m., at the Redhawk Center; the team is looking forward to displaying their improvements.