Riverside, Calif. – The Gauchos wrapped up their third team meet of the 2025-26 season today. Both the men's and women's teams were victorious in one of their two duel meets this weekend. The women's team defeated the hosting Cal Baptist Lancers with a final score of UC Santa Barbara (281) and CBU (104), the women's team also placed second against San Diego State this weekend. The final slate of that duel meet read San Diego State (214) and UC Santa Barbara (164). The men's squad also ends this weekend with a win and a loss. UC Santa Barbara held Cal Baptist off with a final score of the Gauchos (232) and the Lancers (150). Against University of Denver, the Gauhcos came up just short this weekend. After it was all said and done the final score read UC Santa Barbara (179) and the University of Denver (206).
The Blue and Gold's strong performance down in Riverside was highlighted by first, second, and third place finishes in the men's 200 Free. Senior Owen Berry earned gold with a time of 1:36.90, sophomore Elek Zettle took silver with a time of 1:38.31, and sophomore Mason Wendler brought home bronze with a time of 1:38.52 to complete the top three sweep for the Gauchos.
The Gauchos also took four of the top five finishes in men's 200 Fly, three of them were freshmen. First-year Henry Heit brought home a second place finish with a time of 1:49.81. Senior Billy Picht finished in 1:49.86, placing him third. Freshman Lucas Hubbard swam a time of 1:50.95 for a fourth place finish. Finally, freshman Diego Castaneda finished fifth with a time of 1:51.33.
The women's team also dominated, taking three of the top five finishes in the 200 fly. Samantha Banos continued her reign over this event, as she has never finished anywhere less than first all season, she finished with a time of 1:57.56 and another victory. Junior Sammie Hall placed third with a time of 2:02.72, and senior Annie Andres finished 5th with a time of 2:03.56.
The Gauchos nearly swept the women's 500 free, taking seven of ten top finishes. Samantha Banos added another first-place finish to her resume with a time of 4.52:54. Senior Ellie Schomberg finished third with a time of 5:02.21. Freshman Leila Symington swam a time of 5:02.61, which placed her fourth. Senior Annie Andres placed fifth with a time of 5:02.64. Second Year Anna Brill finished with a time of 5:04.07, which placed her sixth. Freshman Devon Silberman placed seventh with a time of 5:07.78. Senior Isabella Martinez finished ninth with a time of 5:10.70.
Both the men's and women's teams clinched first in the 200 free relays. The women's team consisted of freshman Caitlin Brown, junior Greta Collison, senior Ashley Ray, and junior Eugenie Lanilis, who all finished with a time of 1:32.36. The Men's team finished with 1:21.10, made up of sophomore Elek Zettle, sophomore Noah Wagner-Jauregg, sophomore Mason Wendler, and senior Zachary Tamusaitis.
Next Time Out
On Nov. 14th, the Gauchos will travel down to Pepperdine University in Malibu to take on the UC San Diego Tritons as well as the hosting Pepperdine Waves.
