2026 Season On Deck

STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford opens its 2026 campaign on Jan. 24 at the OSU Invitational, attempting to win back-to-back national championships for the first time since a four-peat from 2005-08.

The Cardinal secured its 10th national title in school history in 2025, claiming event titles in team, duet and trio on the way to winning it all for the first time since 2021. Stanford also posted a runner-up finish in the solo routine. Artistic Swimming is one of only six varsity programs on The Farm to have won at least 10 national team championships.

Stanford produced three individual national champions last year, highlighted by Dalia Ovadia being named the national championship meet’s high point scorer, factoring into all three event crowns. Megumi Field also wrapped up the meet as a three-time individual champion, teaming with Ovadia to win the duet. Field and Ovadia then combined with Audrey Kwon to capture the trio.

The Cardinal also compiled enough declared points to win the team final, with Field, Kwon and Ovadia raising the trophy along with Miko Begossi, Ivy Davis, Yara Elian, Calista Liu and Lindi Schroeder thanks to a total of 303.37.

Every athlete who was crowned an individual national champion last year returns in 2026, with the exception of Schroeder, who graduated in June. Overall, the Cardinal returns five USA Artistic Swimming All-Americans in Elian, Field, Kwon, Liu and Ovadia.

Stanford will feature a new-look coaching staff, although the familiarity and continuity should help navigate the transition. Elvira Khasyanova was elevated to the head coach role on Oct. 10, following the departure of Megan Abarca, who accepted a position as the Senior National Team Head Coach of USA Artistic Swimming.

Khasyanova has been a steadying influence and respected leader for the Cardinal since arriving on The Farm in September 2018, serving as assistant coach for the previous seven seasons. A 2021 International Swimming Hall of Fame inductee, Khasyanova boasts an extremely decorated professional career competing as a member of the Russian Senior National Team from 1999-2012 and a three-time Olympic gold medalist in the team competition (2004, 2008, 2012).

Joining Khasyanova on staff will be assistant coach Olga Kuzhela, who also competed as a member of the Russian Senior National Team from 2002-11 and captured a gold medal in the team competition at the 2008 Olympics, joining Khasyanova on the podium in Beijing.

Most impressively, the Cardinal’s highly-decorated coaching duo has combined to secure four Olympic gold medals, 14 World Championships titles and eight European crowns.

The 2026 campaign begins with back-to-back road meets at the OSU Invitational (Jan. 24) and Incarnate Word Invitational (Jan. 30-31).

The MPSF Championship is scheduled for Feb. 14-15, with Avery Aquatic Center serving as the host site for the first of three events. Stanford will be attempting to win its fifth straight conference crown. Since the MPSF began sponsoring artistic swimming in 2022, the Cardinal has been the only conference champion.

Stanford totaled 102 points to claim the 2024 MPSF trophy. Field was named the MPSF Swimmer and Rookie of the Meet, claiming first place in the Tech A, duet, trio and team events, accumulating an MPSF-record 74 points toward the Cardinal’s total. Field and Ovadia grabbed the duet title with a score of 226.74 while the duo combined with Kwon again for a trio win with a score of 256.11.

The program will then hold its Senior Day ceremony on Feb. 28, in conjunction with the Western Regionals meet.

Stanford concludes its season on March 27-28, hosting the U.S. Artistic Swimming Collegiate National Championships at Avery Aquatic Center for the first time since winning in front of its home crowd in 2021.