YPSILANTI, Mich. – Claiming event titles in team, duet and trio, Stanford captured the USA Artistic Swimming Collegiate National title on Saturday afternoon.
The Cardinal produced its 10th national championship in school history and first since 2021. Stanford, which finished runner-up in the solo, also won it all in 2016, 2013, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 1999 and 1998.
The artistic swimming program is one of only six programs on The Farm with at least 10 national championships, joining women's tennis (21), men's tennis (18), men's water polo (12), women's swimming and diving (12) and men's gymnastics (10).
Stanford began the two-day tournament with valuable points up for grabs in the technical elements, solo and duet events. The Cardinal showed out well in Tech A with Yara Elian claiming third place, just in front of fellow Cardinal, Dalia Ovadia, who claimed fourth. Emmanuella Tchakmakjian showed well in her final Collegiate Championships, placing second in the solo event.
Stanford's biggest win on day one came in the duet where Megumi Field and Ovadia teamed up to grab thier first event title of the weekend, securing the top spot with a score of 241.06, clearing the University of the Incarnate Word by half a point. Lindi Schroeder and Calista Liu also showed well, securing third just behind UIW to claim important overall points for the Cardinal.
Day two started out with dramatics in the trio with Field and Ovadia teaming up with Audrey Kwon to secure Stanford's second event title with a score of 261.25. Grabbing fourth place was Lindi Schroeder, Liu and Elian who earned valuable overall team points for the Cardinal.
With a plethora of team points spread across Stanford and its competitors, Ohio State and Incarnate World, the battle for the National Championship came down to the final event group, the team event.
Stanford proceeded to take matters in its own hands as the group of Miko Begossi, Ivy Davis, Elian Liu, Schroeder, Field, Kwon, Ovadia took the top spot and the team event title to put Stanford in the drivers' seat. With a fourth place showing from the group of Elisa Brunel, Yujin Chang, Haley Chu, Emily Ding, Cambell McMillan, Atira O'Neil, Manu Pindi and Ella Rau, Stanford secured enough delcared points to secure its first national title since 2021 and its 10th as a program.
For her efforts, Dalia Ovadia was named the meet’s High Point Scorer, factoring into each of Stanford’s three event crowns. Ovadia teamed with Megumi Field to win the duet title before joining Field and Audrey Kwon as trio champions.
Head coach Megan Abarca, who has now guided Stanford to two national championships, was named Coach of the Year.