By Ron Smith
February 12, 2026
 
(Monterey Park, Calif.) Day two at the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Championships saw Westmont swimmers continue to produce strong results.
 
The day started with the 100 yard butterfly and Westmont's head coach Jill Lin reporting, "Emma Bustamante made it back to the 'C' final." The senior did so by placing 19th in a time of 59.08. That evening in the finals, she finished 23rd with a time of 59.77.
 
"In the 400 individual medley, Madi Edwards, Kelly Neill, and Meliana Calica all made it back to the 'C' final," reported Lin. "Kelly (4:52.69) and Mel (4:47.89) had lifetime bests in the morning and Madi (4:43.68) in the evening. Madi had a great swim and moved up a couple of spots."
 
Edwards finished in 18th place with Neill and Calica placing 22nd and 23rd respectively.
 
In the 200 yard freestyle, four Westmont swimmers earned berths in the finals. Kate Spraul (1:53.12) and Willow Pezone (1:54.12) finished fourth and seventh to claim spots in the 'A' final.
 
"We think it is the first time we've had two in the top eight," noted Lin. "Great swims by Kate and Willow. Willow's was a lifetime best. Katlyn McCurtain (1:54.28) had a great swim and made it into the 'B' final. Grace McAnear (1:57.43) snuck into the 'C' final with a lifetime best. It was unexpected with how little she has been training.
 
"In the finals, Kate (1:52.90) and Willow (1:55.18) fought really hard. Kate was just off her lifetime best and our program record."
 
Spraul and Pezone both earned All-PCSC honors by finishing in fifth and eighth place. McCurtain collected All-PCSC honorable mention honors by finishing 12th. McAnear placed 22nd in the finals.
 
"In the 200 yard freestyle relay, we were just off our program record, but the swimmers had some great splits," noted Lin.
 
Noelle Landon, Pezone, Lauren Healy and Daisy Marquardt placed sixth in the event in a time of 1:37.86.
 
"We finished off the night with the 400 yard medley relay and we were, again, just off our program record," said Lin. "We thought we had a chance, it was very close. Noelle led off with a 57 split, which was a season best time and a great swim for her."
 
Landon, Abby Rickard, Spraul and Pezone placed sixth with a time of 3:58.19.
 
"The biggest highlight of the day was that every time our seniors were up and racing, it was the last time to race these events," expressed Lin. "It was an emotional day, but also really exciting. They have been able to swim with full freedom.
 
"Leighton Bell was an example of that. Swimming the 200 free for the final time and going a lifetime best was really exciting. Katlyn swam this morning and then knew she had just one more 200 freestyle left. Once she finished, she was so happy and so proud that she was able to overcome that race. Brogan finishing her last 400 IM, Abby's last 100 breaststroke in the 400 IM, Bustamante's last 100 fly – those were real emotional times to think about all the hard work they have put in.
 
"I have been talking with the swimmers about how crazy swimming is. It is probably the least rewarding sport. Even if you go a lifetime best, you show up at practice the next week training for more and always wanting to get better.
 
"Sometimes it doesn't play out the way we hope, but it really was the journey that mattered and being together as a team.
 
"I am really proud of them. They have kept the energy so high and supported one another. It has been very noticeable. I told them today, 'I don't remember ever getting out of a race and being hugged by 10-15 of my best friends because they were so proud of me'. That is something our athletes have that is really special here."