SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word artistic swimming program continued its rise as one of the nation's premier collegiate teams during the 2025–26 season, delivering another year of high-level performances, individual accolades, and strong championship results.
Season Overview
Building off its historic national championship run in 2024, Incarnate Word entered the season with heightened expectations—and largely met them. The Cardinals showcased depth across all routine categories, consistently competing with powerhouse programs like Stanford and Ohio State.
The season was highlighted by a runner-up finish at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Championships, where UIW totaled 89 points over two days of competition, finishing second overall behind Stanford.
Championship Performances
At the MPSF Championships, Incarnate Word delivered standout results across multiple events:
Trio Routine: Second place (220.48 points)
Lauren Bell, Fernanda Carmona Vasquez, Elizabeth Battista
Team Routine: Third place (185.57 points)
Overall Team Finish: Runner-up (89 points)
These results reinforced UIW's status as one of the deepest teams in the conference, with scoring contributions coming from multiple event groups.
Major Award Winners & Honors
Incarnate Word athletes earned significant individual recognition throughout the season:
Marloes Steenbeek: MPSF High-Point Champion, Solo event Champion
Aliya Perras: MPSF Champion – Technical B event
All-Conference Honors: Steenbeek, Perras,
Maria Bofill Strub, Fernanda Carmona Vasquez, and Xenia De La Puente
MPSF All-Academic Team
The following student-athletes have been nominated for this award by their institutions based on the following criteria:
1. 3.00 or better cumulative grade point average.
2. Student-athlete must be at least a sophomore academically.
3. Student-athlete must have completed one full academic year at the institution prior to the season for which the award is received.
4. Student-athlete must have competed in fifty percent or more of the institution's competition in the respective sport.
Macarena Lagos, Sophomore, Engineering Management
Marloes Steenbeek, Sophomore, Interior Design
Katelin Echols, Sophomore, Healthcare Science, Pre-Physical Therapy
Maria Bofill Strub, Junior, International Business and Sports Management
Aliya Perras, Junior, Healthcare Science, Pre-Occupational Therapy
Claire Brett, Junior, Healthcare Science, Pre-Med
Carly Ermer, Senior, English
Ana Clara Machado, Junior, Finance and Economics
Marieve Gagnon, Junior, Kinesiology with Exercise Science
Valentina Urriola, Junior, Healthcare Science, Pre-Med
Lauren Bell, Senior, Kinesiology with Exercise Science
Teresa Bellver Garcia, Senior, International Affairs and Criminal Justice
Elizabeth Battista, Senior, Interdisciplinary Studies
