Eastern Michigan Athletics

Swim and Dive Set to Open 2025-26 Season with Eastern Classic
10/8/2025 1:00:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
Eastern will host Illinois State and Toledo for a two-day meet
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University swim and dive teams are set to open the 2025-26 season hosting Illinois State University and the University of Toledo for the Eastern Classic Friday-Saturday, Oct. 10-11, at Jones Natatorium.
Friday's portion of the meet will begin at 4 p.m., while Saturday will be split into multiple sessions, beginning at 10 a.m.
Fans can stay tuned to EMUEagles.com for a post-meet recap with full results attached. Also, stay tuned to the team's social media accounts on Instagram, X, and Facebook for live in-meet content.
ENTERING YEAR SEVEN UNDER PERKINS
The program is entering its seventh year under Head Swimming Coach Derek Perkins. Overall, Perkins holds a 16-21 record, and 11-11 mark in Mid-American Conference (MAC) competition. The program has seen 82 Academic All-MAC selections and four College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-America teams.
THE SEASON AHEAD
Eastern is set to compete in eight regular season meets in 2025-26, culminating in the MAC Championships, hosted by the University of Akron, at Ocasek Natatorium in Akron, Ohio, Feb. 25-28.
RETURNERS/NEWCOMERS
This year's Eagles team returns 18 athletes from the 2024-25 squad, and welcomes eight newcomers to the team, including junior transfer Marnie Howard (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community West), and freshmen Addison Burrough (Fort Wayne, Ind./Caroll HS), Abbey Clarke (Caledon, Ont./Robert F. Hall), Marianna Fardella (Serres, Greece/40 Geniko Lykeio Serron), Amelia Jones (Lexington, Ky. Paul Laurence Dunbar), Maize Moustgaard (Ottawa, Ont./St. Mark), Shayne Patrick (Reno, Nev./TMCC), Nicole Shanks (Ocala, Fla./West Port),
DIVING LEADER
On the boards, the Eastern squad is led by sophomore Megan Lupa (Campden, Ontario/West Niagara Secondary), who qualified for the NCAA Championships in the platform dive, along with earning MAC Freshman Diver of the Year.
SWIMMING LEADERS
In the pool, the Eagles return junior Tristen Mina (Santa Clara, Calif./The King's Academy), who swam the No. 5 program time in the 100 butterfly (54.59), along with leading in the individual medley. Junior Nina Larosa (Bay Village, Ohio/Bay), leads the team in the breaststroke, improving her program top 10 100y breaststroke time from No. 8 to No. 7 (1:02.62). Juniors Marlee Christie (Seminole, Fla./Seminole), and Emma Littrell (Taylor Mill, Ky./St. Henry District), lead in the sprint free category, while sophomore Nehir Oz (Istanbul, Turkey/Cevre), leads in distance. Juniors Siporah Sang (London, Ont./Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School), and Azra Umut (Istanbul, Turkey/Fenerbahce School), lead in the backstroke events.
CAPTAINS
This year's squad is led by four captains. The three swim captains include Kudo, Sang, and junior Lucy Noble (Flagler Beach, Fla./Flagler Palm Coast), while the divers are led by senior Cate Migliori (Stockton, Calif./San Joquin Delta College).
MAC COACHES PRESEASON POLL
The Eagles' team was picked to finish sixth in the MAC standings for the upcoming 2025-26 campaign.
UP NEXT
Next, the Eagles open MAC competition hosting The University of Akron Friday, Oct. 31, 4 p.m.
FOLLOW US
For the latest in EMU swimming & diving, stay tuned to EMUEagles.com, and follow the team's social media accounts on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
Friday's portion of the meet will begin at 4 p.m., while Saturday will be split into multiple sessions, beginning at 10 a.m.
Fans can stay tuned to EMUEagles.com for a post-meet recap with full results attached. Also, stay tuned to the team's social media accounts on Instagram, X, and Facebook for live in-meet content.
ENTERING YEAR SEVEN UNDER PERKINS
The program is entering its seventh year under Head Swimming Coach Derek Perkins. Overall, Perkins holds a 16-21 record, and 11-11 mark in Mid-American Conference (MAC) competition. The program has seen 82 Academic All-MAC selections and four College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-America teams.
THE SEASON AHEAD
Eastern is set to compete in eight regular season meets in 2025-26, culminating in the MAC Championships, hosted by the University of Akron, at Ocasek Natatorium in Akron, Ohio, Feb. 25-28.
RETURNERS/NEWCOMERS
This year's Eagles team returns 18 athletes from the 2024-25 squad, and welcomes eight newcomers to the team, including junior transfer Marnie Howard (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community West), and freshmen Addison Burrough (Fort Wayne, Ind./Caroll HS), Abbey Clarke (Caledon, Ont./Robert F. Hall), Marianna Fardella (Serres, Greece/40 Geniko Lykeio Serron), Amelia Jones (Lexington, Ky. Paul Laurence Dunbar), Maize Moustgaard (Ottawa, Ont./St. Mark), Shayne Patrick (Reno, Nev./TMCC), Nicole Shanks (Ocala, Fla./West Port),
DIVING LEADER
On the boards, the Eastern squad is led by sophomore Megan Lupa (Campden, Ontario/West Niagara Secondary), who qualified for the NCAA Championships in the platform dive, along with earning MAC Freshman Diver of the Year.
SWIMMING LEADERS
In the pool, the Eagles return junior Tristen Mina (Santa Clara, Calif./The King's Academy), who swam the No. 5 program time in the 100 butterfly (54.59), along with leading in the individual medley. Junior Nina Larosa (Bay Village, Ohio/Bay), leads the team in the breaststroke, improving her program top 10 100y breaststroke time from No. 8 to No. 7 (1:02.62). Juniors Marlee Christie (Seminole, Fla./Seminole), and Emma Littrell (Taylor Mill, Ky./St. Henry District), lead in the sprint free category, while sophomore Nehir Oz (Istanbul, Turkey/Cevre), leads in distance. Juniors Siporah Sang (London, Ont./Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School), and Azra Umut (Istanbul, Turkey/Fenerbahce School), lead in the backstroke events.
CAPTAINS
This year's squad is led by four captains. The three swim captains include Kudo, Sang, and junior Lucy Noble (Flagler Beach, Fla./Flagler Palm Coast), while the divers are led by senior Cate Migliori (Stockton, Calif./San Joquin Delta College).
MAC COACHES PRESEASON POLL
The Eagles' team was picked to finish sixth in the MAC standings for the upcoming 2025-26 campaign.
UP NEXT
Next, the Eagles open MAC competition hosting The University of Akron Friday, Oct. 31, 4 p.m.
FOLLOW US
For the latest in EMU swimming & diving, stay tuned to EMUEagles.com, and follow the team's social media accounts on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
2025 Swim & Dive MAC Championships Hype Video
Tuesday, February 25
2025 Swim & Dive Senior Extravaganza
Monday, February 10
Swim & Dive vs. Toledo Cinematic Highlights
Saturday, January 18
2024 EMU Swim & Dive Training Trip Highlights
Sunday, January 05