Hopper and Sondgeroth Shine as MPSF Athletes of the Week!

STOCKTON, Calif. – For the consecutive week, the Pacific swimming program has received Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Athletes of the Week acknowledgment, as declared by the conference Wednesday afternoon.
 
Senior Mitchell Hopper and senior Paige Sondgeroth earned the accolades for their performances in the consecutive home contests against Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara at the Eberhardt Aquatics Center. The duo of experienced swimmers has been outstanding competitors and spirited leaders amidst a robust season for both the men’s and women’s swimming squads, with four pairs of Pacific swimmers attaining MPSF Athlete of the Week honors throughout the 2024-25 season.
 
Hopper, hailing from Happy Valley, Ore., achieved three first-place finishes against Cal Poly in the men’s 200 yard freestyle, 100 yard freestyle, and 100 yard butterfly. Hopper recorded his seasonal best in the 200 yard freestyle with a time of 1:36.81 against UC Santa Barbara. A captain on the men’s team, Hopper additionally secured a second-place finish in the men’s 100 yard freestyle. This marks the second occasion this season that Hopper has received a conference accolade, with his initial recognition occurring on Nov. 5, 2024, following a home victory over CSU Bakersfield.
 
“Mitchell competed with greater confidence this past weekend, and his performances reflected that,” said head coach Katelyne Herrington. “It was refreshing to observe him more in sync, executing his races with more determination at the outset.”
 
Sondgeroth, from Las Vegas, Nevada, recorded three first-place finishes against Cal Poly in the women’s 100 yard breaststroke, 200 yard breaststroke, and 200 yard individual medley. Sondgeroth set two seasonal bests and achieved a personal best time (200 yard breaststroke/2:17.82) as she led the Tigers to victory over the Mustangs. This is the second recognition this season for Sondgeroth as an MPSF Athlete of the Week. She received the honor last week alongside junior Mattia Giurgevich.
 
“Paige is truly finding her rhythm right now with her remarkable performances over the past two weekends,” Herrington stated. “She was fantastic against Cal Poly with all seasonal bests and a personal best time in the 200 breast by nearly two seconds! I am incredibly proud of her and loved seeing her broad smile!”
 
Hopper, Sondgeroth, and the remainder of the Tigers’ swimming program are gearing up for their second consecutive week of back-to-back home contests, welcoming UC Davis on Saturday at noon and Simon Fraser on Sunday at 11 a.m. at the Eberhardt Aquatics Center. Both meets, including Senior Day on Sunday, will be streamed live on Overnght.
 
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