The art of swimming and diving is a sport that transcends the limits of human capability. It tests the mental and physical strength of athletes, pushing them beyond what seems possible. NCAA competitors spend years fine-tuning their craft, from the moment they first dive into the water as children to competing against top collegiate talent from across the country. The Fairfield University men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams are no exception.
From Feb. 28 to March 2, 2025, the Stags will take the next step in their season as they compete in the ECAC Swimming & Diving Championships at Lejeune Hall in Annapolis, Md. This prestigious meet brings together a diverse field of athletes from across the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), offering an opportunity for swimmers and divers to compete at a high level and make their mark on the season.
The Stags will face fierce competition from across the East Coast in the ECACs. The competition primarily features mid-major schools such as Princeton, Loyola University Maryland and MAAC rival Iona, but they will also face some NCAA Power 5 competition courtesy of Rutgers.
Fairfield enters the meet riding a wave of momentum from a strong showing at the MAAC Championships, where the women’s team finished second and the men’s team secured third place—both among the best finishes in program history.
First-year Head Coach Jake Lichter has emphasized that the team’s performance at MAACs was not just a highlight of the season, but a stepping stone for the ECAC Championships and beyond.
“I am extremely proud of how the team performed at MAACs. We came away from that meet with 13 school records, six MAAC champions, two MAAC records, one NCAA B Cut, 68 lifetime bests, and 61 new top ten all-time program best times,” Lichter said. “It’s important that we celebrate these successes as a program and use them to build our confidence moving forward. We have an incredible foundation to launch from now, and I am excited to continue to cultivate a culture of hard work, resilience, and passion.”
While the MAAC Championships served as a conference showdown, the ECAC Championships present a different challenge. Competing against programs from multiple conferences, Fairfield’s swimmers and divers will face tougher competition and a fast-paced multi-day championship format that demands both physical endurance and mental toughness.
Leading the charge for the women’s team is sophomore Tone Sandsjoe, who set a new MAAC record in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:00.61) and is expected to be a key contributor at ECACs. She will be joined by senior Erini Pappas, who played a pivotal role in Fairfield’s 400-yard medley relay team that secured a second-place finish at MAACs.
On the men’s side, graduate student Chris Weber will look to carry his momentum from the MAAC Championships, where he captured the 200-yard butterfly title (1:46.89). Grad student Enrique Garcia, who placed fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke, and freshman Max McMillan, who took fifth in the 100-yard backstroke, add depth to a roster that blends experience with emerging talent.
“The team is very good at celebrating each other’s wins. We talk about ‘the greater the energy, the greater the outcome,’ and that those swims wouldn’t be possible without the support of the whole team,” Lichter noted. “It’s essential that we keep that energy for each session as we head into ECACs.”
With a smaller travel roster for the ECAC Championships, Fairfield will need to maximize its lineup strategically, particularly in relay events, which provide valuable team points.“Because we are traveling with a smaller roster, we will be able to utilize more of our athletes in relays and put different swimmers in high-pressure situations,” Lichter explained. “This gives them an opportunity to perform in our top relays and develop their confidence at a championship level.”
While many eyes will be on the swimmers, sophomore diver Andrew Cataldo has been one of Fairfield’s most consistent performers this season. Cataldo placed fourth in the 3-meter diving event at the MAAC Championships, but he will forgo ECACs to prepare for the NCAA Zone Championships in March, where he has a chance to compete for an NCAA berth.
“Andrew qualifying for NCAA Zones is a testament to his hard work and dedication,” Lichter said. “This is a huge step for our program, and we’re excited to see how he performs at the next level.”
While ECACs represent an important milestone, Coach Lichter sees the meet as part of a bigger picture—one where Fairfield becomes a perennial contender for conference titles and NCAA qualifications. “Our primary goal for ECACs is to continue building on the success we achieved at MAACs,” he said.
“Beyond just results, we want to prioritize race execution and championship meet preparation. Long-term, our vision is to establish Fairfield Swimming & Diving as a team that challenges for MAAC titles annually and a highly competitive program at the ECAC and NCAA level. With the talent, dedication, and culture we’re cultivating, I have no doubt that we’re on the right path to achieving that vision.”
Fairfield’s swimmers and divers will be tested against some of the top programs in the region, but with a season of growth and record-breaking performances behind them, the Stags are ready to take on the challenge.
The ECAC Championships kick off on Feb. 28, 2025, at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. As Fairfield looks to cap off the season with another strong performance, the meet will serve as an opportunity for rising stars to shine, veterans to lead, and the program to take another step forward on the national stage.
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