ST. GEORGE, Utah - After an impressive showing from the Vandal dive team in Los Angeles, Idaho's swim team opened the 2026 calendar year with its first dual competition, traveling south for a conference matchup against Utah Tech.
Utah Tech is one of seven programs, including Idaho, that joined the MPSF Conference following the WAC's departure from sponsoring swim and dive. The meet marked Idaho's third conference dual as the Vandals continue to close in on the MPSF Championships and potential NCAA postseason competition later this season.
Idaho controlled the meet from start to finish, turning in dominant performances across events to secure the 197–58 dual victory. In the 100 Y Backstroke, Ginger Kiefer led the way with a first-place finish in 56.82 seconds, followed closely by Grace Benson (58.60) and Adelaide McRoberts (59.22).
Kirsten Sautel also turned in a standout performance in the 100 Y Breaststroke, winning in 1:05.68, with Rylie Moxham (1:05.82) and Courtney Crawford (1:05.99) finishing right behind her. Isabelle Borke claimed first place in the 200 Y Freestyle with a time of 1:54.97. In the 200 Y Butterfly, Grace Ruble touched the wall first in 2:06.16, followed closely by Haley Roberson (2:09.69) and Holly Lenarz (2:10.70).
Madelyn Butler finished first in the 100-yard freestyle (52.33). Borke also earned second-place honors in the 100 Y Freestyle (52.65) and 50 Y Freestyle (24.28). Ginger Kiefer captured first in the 200 Y Backstroke, clocking 2:03.83, followed closely by Katey Foley (2:04.55). Natalie Charles also took home second place in the 200 Y Breastroke with a time of 2:22.95.
In the relays, Madelynn Butler, Katy Foley, Grace Ruble, and Holly Lenarz captured first place in the 400 Y Freestyle Relay with a time of 3:30.61. In the 200 Y Medley Relay, Benson, Sautel, Ruble, and Foley also earned first place with a time of 1:46.21, while the team of Kiefer, Crawford, Butler, and Borke finished right behind at 1:46.29.
The win moves Idaho to 4-3 in dual meets this weekend with the annual two-day dual with Washington State on the horizon to prep for the conference championship.
UP NEXT
Idaho's dive team will return to action Jan. 29–31 at the NAU Diving Invitational. The swimmers will kick off the annual competition with Washington State, taking on the Cougs first in their home pool in Pullman on Jan. 30 before crossing the border to the UI Swim Center on Jan. 31.
FOLLOW THE VANDALS
To stay up to date with Vandal Swim and Dive, follow the team on Instagram (vandalswim_dive), X (VandalSwim_Dive), and visit govandals.com
