PREVIEW: Dwelling Finale Brings Senior Day Dual for Mines

By: Sam Boender

M Swimming & Diving: #20 Mines vs. Air Force – Mines Natatorium – Saturday, 9 a.m. [RMAC Network] [Live Results]

W Swimming: #12 Mines vs. Western Colorado – Mines Natatorium – Saturday, 10:30 a.m. [RMAC Network] [Live Results]

HOME FINALE

Saturday marks the house finale for the nationally-ranked Colorado School of Mines males’s and girls’s swimming & diving applications. The Orediggers’ last residence contest of the 2025-26 marketing campaign can be a twin with Mines’ males going through NCAA Division I Air Force and the Oredigger girls taking up RMAC foe Western Colorado. Action begins with diving at 9 a.m. Senior Day festivities will happen at 10:20 a.m. with racing to comply with at 10:30 a.m. A second diving break close to 11 a.m. is on the slate as properly. Admission is free and all of Oredigger nation is inspired to come back out and help the groups.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
All motion this weekend may have stay outcomes offered by way of the swimcloud platform at www.faculty swimming.com with a direct hyperlink by way of www.minesathletics.com/swimlive. There will even be stay video with a subscription to the RMAC Network.
 
RMAC NETWORK CHANGES
During the autumn, the RMAC Network moved to a pay-per-view mannequin for all occasions. Fans should purchase month-to-month and annual subscriptions that may present them entry to all regular-season, championship, and archived broadcasts on the RMAC Network. A month-to-month subscription prices $25, and an annual subscription prices $130. Single-game passes can be found for $10, which grants entry to a single recreation for twenty-four hours. For technical help questions, followers can contact Hudl Support or electronic mail the RMAC immediately (rmac@rmacsports.org). For further support, fans can visit the RMAC Network Help page.
 
FORMAT AND SCORING

Saturday is a regular swimming & diving twin with common staff scoring utilized. Individual occasions carry level values of 9-4-3-2-1-0 for putting first by way of sixth, respectively. Relay level values are 11-4-2-0. Individuals can rating in as much as three occasions between relays and particular person races. Some occasions could embody exhibition swimmers which is not going to depend towards the staff totals. The present slate options two heats of every occasion with six of eight lanes used for competitors. Diving level values are the identical for ending first by way of sixth. There can be 1-meter and 3-meter diving with every going six dives.
 
RACE ORDER
Eleven races plus 1-meter and 3-meter diving make up Saturday’s slate. Two of the races are relays with 9 particular person occasions. The tentative order is laid out beneath.
– 400-medley relay
– 1000-free
– 200-free
– 50-free
– 400-IM
BREAK (DIVING)
– 100-fly
– 100-free
– 100-back
– 500-free
BREAK
– 100-breast
– 200-freestyle relay
 
MEET THE SENIORS
Mines seems ahead to celebrating its senior class on Saturday as a part of Senior Day. The principal festivities will happen beginning at 10:20 a.m. with particular person recognition of every senior on the pool deck as a private tribute is learn over the general public tackle system. The eleven seniors embody Ava Burger, Joe Hutchinson, Emi Jedryka, Savannah Karas, Charlie Krone, Mattie Oberley, Cameryn Schmidt, Jake Sherman, Jordan Tierney, Kylie VanderMeer, and Jakson Winn. Learn just a little bit about every senior beneath.
 
AVA BURGER

Burger arrived at Mines in time for the 2021-22 season after graduating from Cathedral Catholic High School in California. She instantly made an affect as a part of the 200-medley relay which was Second-Team All-RMAC on the convention meet. She continued registering staff factors on the convention meet as a sophomore within the 100-breast and 200-breast. Injury disrupted her junior season, however Burger returned in 2024-25 stronger than ever. In addition to incomes her bachelor’s diploma in engineering design, she additionally racked up staff factors for Mines in 4 particular person occasions and as a part of two relays on the RMAC Championships. For the 2024-25 season, she was top-100 within the nation within the 100-breast, 200-breast, and 100-IM. She’s at the moment working in direction of a grasp’s diploma in engineering & expertise administration.
 
JOE HUTCHINSON
Hutchinson got here to Golden by means of Virginia Beach, Va., and First Colonial High School in 2022-23. By his sophomore season, Hutchinson had earned CSCAA Second-Team Scholar All-America honors and ranked top-100 within the nation within the 50-breast and 200-breast. Last 12 months, as a junior, Hutchinson was First-Team All-RMAC as a part of the 200-medley relay and 400-medley relay whereas stacking factors for Mines in two particular person occasions on the convention races. He was top-100 within the nation within the 50-breast, 100-breast, and 200-breast. Earlier this season, Hutchinson helped the Orediggers break this system report within the 400-medley relay on the TYR/CMU Invitational in Grand Junction, Colo. He’ll graduate from Mines with a bachelor’s diploma in mechanical engineering.
 
EMI JEDRYKA
Since 2022, Jedryka has competed as one of many Orediggers’ prime backstrokers after a profitable prep profession at Buffalo Grove High School in Arlington Heights, Ill. She exploded on the scene as a real freshman by qualifying for the NCAA Division II Championships within the 200-back and as a part of 4 totally different relays. She was a CSCAA Second-Team All-American as a part of the 400-freestyle relay and was First-Team All-RMAC as a part of the 800-freestyle relay. Her success continued as a sophomore with staff factors on the convention meet within the 100-back, 200-back, 200-freestyle relay, 400-freestyle relay, 800-freestyle relay, and 400-medley relay. As a junior, Jedryka was Second-Team All-RMAC due to her function on the 400-medley relay whereas tallying factors for the Orediggers in a complete of seven occasions on the convention championships. She’s at the moment top-50 within the nation within the 200-back. Jedryka will graduate from Mines with a bachelor’s diploma in quantitative biosciences and engineering.
 
SAVANNAH KARAS
A local of Driftwood, Texas, and a graduate of Dripping Springs High School, Karas has competed for the Orediggers since 2022. She was Second-Team All-RMAC within the 200-fly as a real freshman. By her sophomore season, Karas had damaged this system report within the 200-fly which stood till earlier this season. Her sophomore marketing campaign included staff factors for Mines in three totally different occasions on the convention meet whereas rating top-100 within the nation within the 50-fly, 100-fly, 200-fly, and 100-IM. Her 200-fly finest was a NCAA “B” lower that season as properly. Last 12 months, Karas scored staff factors for Mines in 4 particular person occasions and as a part of one relay on the RMAC Championships. Currently, she ranks #19 within the nation within the 200-fly with a NCAA “B” time as properly. Karas will graduate from Mines with a bachelor’s diploma in mechanical engineering.
 
CHARLIE KRONE
Krone arrived at Mines after competing for 3 seasons on the University of Tennessee the place he accomplished a bachelor’s diploma in mechanical engineering in simply three years. In lower than one season as an Oredigger, Krone has damaged 4 totally different program data – all in the course of the TYR/CMU Invitational. His altitude-adjusted data are within the 200-free, 100-fly, as a part of the 400-medley relay, and as a part of the 800-freestyle relay. He at the moment ranks #36 within the nation within the 200-free and #29 within the 100-fly. Krone is at the moment engaged on a grasp’s diploma in mechanical engineering as a graduate analysis assistant within the Colorado Fuel Cell Center the place he works on a NASA co-op mission.
 
MATTIE OBERLEY
Oberley is in his fourth season with the Orediggers after competing for Salem High School in Virginia Beach, Va. He’s appeared on the RMAC Academic Honor Roll for 2 straight seasons. As a sophomore, he scored a number of staff factors for Mines on the RMAC Championships within the 100-fly, 200-fly, and 1000-free. In that very same season, he end top-100 within the nation within the 1000-free, 200-fly, and 50-fly. Oberley has additionally served as a staff captain and can graduate from Mines with a bachelor’s diploma in mechanical engineering.
 
CAMERYN SCHMIDT

Schmidt began her collegiate profession as an Oredigger in 2022 after finishing her prep profession at Naperville North High School in Illinois. During the primary three years at Mines, she was First-Team All-RMAC within the 200-freestyle relay and 200-medley relay with Second-Team All-RMAC finishes in the identical relays. As a sophomore, Schmidt collected CSCAA First-Team Scholar All-America distinction, appeared on the RMAC Academic Honor Roll, and was named RMAC Swimmer of the Week. She additionally certified for the NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving Championships and completed twenty second within the nation within the 100-breast. Schmidt’s junior season was lower brief, however she nonetheless ranked top-50 within the nation within the 50-breast and top-100 within the 100-breast whereas incomes RMAC Academic Honor Roll distinction once more. Along the way in which, Schmidt has damaged and nonetheless holds a number of program data. Her identify is at the moment #1 in Mines historical past within the 50-free, 50-breast, as a part of the 200-medley relay, and 200-freestyle relay. Furthermore, Schmidt boasts the quickest 50-fly and 50-breast in Mines Natatorium historical past. She’ll graduate from Mines with a bachelor’s diploma in mechanical engineering with an automotive focus.
 
JAKE SHERMAN
Sherman got here to Golden by means of Tampa, Fla., and H.B. Plant High School. Since 2022, he has racked up staff factors for Mines at two totally different RMAC Championships in a mixed eight whole races. Sherman’s specialty within the 1000-free and 1650-free led to a pair of eighth-place finishes on the convention meet final season. Both of these finishes additionally yielded NCAA “B” occasions and he completed the season ranked top-100 within the nation within the 500-free, 1000-free, and 1650-free. Other scoring races for Sherman included the 500-free, 200-free, and roles on the 200-freestyle relay, and 800-freestyle relay. He was additionally top-100 within the nation within the 1000-free and 1650-free as a sophomore. Thus far in his senior marketing campaign, Sherman ranks top-50 within the nation within the 1000-free and is #30 within the nation within the 1650-free. He’ll graduate from Mines with a bachelor’s diploma in mechanical engineering with an automotive focus.
 
JORDAN TIERNEY

An illustrious prep profession at Appoquinimink High School in Middletown, Del., prefaces Tierney’s arrival at Mines. Since coming to Golden, Tierney has certified for the NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving Championships every year she’s been eligible and continued to make historical past for the Orediggers. As a freshman, she was CSCAA Second-Team All-America within the 200-breast, 400-freestyle relay, and 400-medley relay, named RMAC Freshman of the Year, completed First-Team All-RMAC within the 100-breast, 200-freestlye relay, and 400-medley relay. As a sophomore, Tierney completed third within the nation within the 100-breast whereas incomes CSCAA First-Team All-American and Second-Team All-America distinction. Last 12 months, she was CSC Second-Team Academic All-America and First-Team All-RMAC within the 200-breast and 200-medley relay. Overall, Tierney is a five-time all-American, eight-time First-Team All-RMAC swimmer, six-time Second-Team All-RMAC swimmer, and two-time RMAC Champion. Her identify is listed 17 occasions in this system report e-book together with for the 100-IM, 100-breast, 200-breast, and with 4 of the 5 relays. She holds the Mines Natatorium data within the 100-breast, 200-breast, and 100-IM. Currently, Tierney is #20 within the nation within the 100-IM, #16 within the 50-breast, #5 within the 100-breast, and #33 within the 200-breast. She will graduate from Mines with a bachelor’s diploma and grasp’s diploma in computational and utilized arithmetic.
 
KYLIE VANDERMEER
VanderMeer got here to Mines by way of Spicewood, Texas, and Lake Travis High School Since her arrival, she has solely gotten higher. As a freshman, VanderMeer scored staff factors for Mines on the RMAC Championships within the 100-fly, 200-fly, as a part of the 400-medley relay, and as a part of the 400-freestyle relay. Her sophomore season yielded a Second-Team All-RMAC end as a part of the 800-freestyle relay together with quite a few different staff factors and an look on the RMAC Academic Honor Roll. Last 12 months, the Texan was First-Team All-RMAC as a part of the 200-medley relay, Second-Team All-RMAC on the 400-medley relay and 200-freestyle relay, named CSC Academic All-District, and RMAC First-Team All-Academic. Her junior marketing campaign additionally included program data within the 200-freestyle relay and 400-freestyle relay. VanderMeer was additionally a two-year captain. She’ll graduate from Mines with a bachelor’s diploma in environmental engineering and proceed engaged on a grasp’s diploma.
 
JAKSON WINN

Winn began at Mines in 2022 after competing for Mercer Island High School in Washington. He was First-Team All-RMAC as a freshman within the 200-medley relay and Second-Team All-RMAC within the 200-freestyle relay and 800-freestyle relay as properly. Furthermore, Winn’s first collegiate season noticed him qualify for the NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving Championships the place he helped the 200-medley relay end 18th within the nation. As a sophomore, Winn was First-Team All-RMAC due to his function on the 200-freestyle relay. Last 12 months, he recorded 4 First-Team All-RMAC finishes and had a Second-Team All-RMAC end whereas incomes RMAC Swimmer of the Week as properly. Winn has damaged and rebroken a number of program data. Currently, he holds Mines’ quickest 50-back and 100-back and was part of 4 record-breaking relays. Going into Senior Day, Winn ranks top-20 within the nation within the 100-back. He’s slated to graduate from Mines with a bachelor’s diploma in pc science.

DENVER RECAP

Mines returned from the vacation break with a twin towards University of Denver final weekend. The Pioneers recorded successful scores on each side. Along the way in which, the Orediggers had a number of runner-up finishes. Those began with Mary Flikkema, Jordan Tierney, Kaya Flaherty, and Jennifer Pierson within the 200-medley relay. Mikaela Khan touched second within the 200-fly. Vladislav Kazakin collected silver within the 500-free. Anna Bream was second within the 200-breast. The males’s 400-freestyle relay of Brenden Cook, Dan Berke, Jack Fulham, and Jakson Winn closed the day.

 

REWRITING RECORDS

Earlier this season, the TYR/CMU Invitational produced a number of program data and a significant overhaul of the Oredigger report books. On the ladies’s aspect, Cameryn Schmidt broke the 50-free report, Anna Bream broke the 400-IM report, and 4 totally different relay data went down. Mary Flikkema, Schmidt, Kaya Flaherty, and Jordan Tierney teamed up within the 200-medley relay. It was Flaherty, Tierney, Schmidt, and Jennifer Pierson within the 200-freestyle relay. The 400-freestyle quartet was made up of Tierney, Ava LaBrose, Flaherty, and Pierson. LaBrose, Pierson, Michelle Murphy, and Bream rounded issues out within the distance relay. On the boys’s aspect, Charlie Krone went off and captured Mines’ 200-free and 100-fly data. Jakson Winn struck twice within the 50-back and 100-back. The males had three relay data as properly. Winn, Joe Hutchinson, Krone, and Dan Berke did the work on the 400-medley relay. Brenden Cook, Winn, Berke, and Jack Fulham toppled the 200-freestyle relay mark. Krone, Cook, Cameron MacMillan, and Vladislav Kazkin have been the record-breaking foursome on the 800-freestyle relay.

 

THAT’S NOT ALL

Prior to the mid-season invite, the Orediggers have been already slaying data. Vladislav Kazakin introduced down the Mines Natatorium report within the 500-free on opening weekend. The return of Oredigger diving noticed Bruno Albertoni break this system’s finest rating within the 1-meter, six-dive occasion in his very first collegiate motion. Ava LaBrose offered the ladies a facility report within the 200-free as properly – a mark beforehand held by Oredigger star Mia Wood.

 

BUTTERFLY EFFECT

Various program data damaged on the TYR/CMU Invitational have been reset a number of occasions between prelims, finals, and relay leadoffs. However, probably the most thrilling trade was arguably the ladies’s quickest mark within the 200-fly. On the ultimate day in Grand Junction, Colo., this system report within the 200-fly exchanged palms 4 occasions. Mikaela Khan began by breaking her personal report in prelims of the 200-fly. One prelim warmth later, Kaya Flaherty topped Khan’s time. Then, in the course of the night “B” finals, Savannah Karas put her identify on the prime of the record. In the tip, Khan reclaimed her report within the 200-fly by successful the complete occasion in 2:02.28 which additionally fell underneath the NCAA-qualifying normal. Khan’s earlier collegiate finest within the occasion, with out adjustment for altitude, was 2:05.87 towards Colorado College.

 

#1 IN THE NATION

As of Jan. 9, 2026, Anna Bream’s altitude-adjusted 4:18.23 within the 400-IM ranks #1 in all of NCAA Division II this season. She produced the mark whereas racing to gold on the TYR/CMU Invitational in November. Additionally, Bream is #5 in DII within the 200-IM and #9 within the 200-breast. While Bream is the Oredigger ranked #1 in any occasion, she’s not the one one ranked top-10 within the nation thus far this season. Julie Gill is #10 within the 1000-free, Mary Flikkema is #10 within the 50-back, Jordan Tierney sits #5 within the 100-breast, Mikaela Khan ranks #6 within the 200-fly, and the ladies’s 800-freestyle relay from the TYR/CMU Invitational is #6 in DII. On the boys’s aspect, Vladislav Kazakin leads the way in which, sitting #5 within the 1000-free, #6 within the 1650-free, and #8 within the 500-free.

 

NATIONALLY RANKED

The Colorado School of Mines males’s and girls’s swimming & diving groups each made important jumps within the December version of the College Swimming and Diving Coaches’ Association of America’s (CSCAA) Division II Top 25 Dual Meet Rankings. The Oredigger males went from receiving votes to #20 within the nation. Mines’ girls leapt from #18 to #12. Both enhancements come after an especially profitable November journey to the TYR/CMU Invitational in Grand Junction, Colo, the place each groups overhauled their respective program report books. The polls are voted on by a committee consisting of Division II coaches and are supposed to mirror the highest twin meet groups in all of NCAA Division II. The nationwide rankings usually are not meant to foretell the highest finishers in a championship meet format. Drury’s males and Tampa’s girls every checked in at #1 within the nation. Colorado Mesa was the one different RMAC squad within the males’s ballot, slotting at #6. Fellow RMAC squads within the girls’s rankings included #3 Colorado Mesa and #16 Simon Fraser with Oklahoma Christian receiving votes.

 

DIVING RETURNS

Earlier this fall, Mines introduced the return of males’s and girls’s NCAA Division II diving beginning this season. Katherine Andrie will coach and look to regrow this system within the coming years. The historical past of Mines diving contains 12 all-Americans, a person nationwide champion, one of many first girls in Mines Athletics, and a number of members of the Harry D. Campbell Oredigger Hall of Fame. Just a few of these corridor of fame members embody NCAA Division II National Champion Rick Williamson, former head coach Bob McCandless, the 1983 Women’s Swimming & Diving staff, and the Men’s Swimming & Diving groups from 1981-84. That wealthy historical past threads completely with the present targets of this system and the division.

 

HOW DIVING WORKS

In full disclosure, the writer has solely just lately realized the fundamentals of aggressive diving. Fans ought to observe there are quite a few nuances past what’s laid out beneath. In faculty diving, there are two fundamental sorts of diving competitions – six dive competitions and 11 dive competitions. In these occasions, divers both carry out six dives or 11 dives to gather a complete rating decided by the judges. The very fundamental sorts of dives embody ahead, again, reverse, inward, and twisting. Those phrases seek advice from how the competitor begins their dive. After figuring out how the dive begins, there are additionally somersaults, or rotations. Along with somersaults and rotations, there’s the place. The place may very well be straight, pike, tuck, or free. The later usually contains a number of positions. All of these issues are introduced earlier than the dive by way of a sequence of numbers together with a letter to make clear straight, pike, tuck, or free. In six dive competitions, all dives are optionally available and could be picked by the competitor. In 11 dive codecs, there are six optionally available dives and 5 voluntary, or designated, dives  Also, all the pieces talked about above can occur on a one meter board or a 3 meter board. Mines doesn’t have platform diving. And with that, the writer has exhausted his understanding of diving. Good luck.

 

STAFF UPDATES

Mines Head Coach Claire McDaniel bolstered her swimming & diving workers in the course of the offseason. The newcomers embody Katherine Andrie, Brad Shannon, and Graham Walker. Andrie, as beforehand launched, will function the boys’s and girls’s diving coach. Shannon arrives at Colorado School of Mines as McDaniel’s prime assistant. Walker competed as a student-athlete for McDaniel on the University of Denver and has since gained teaching expertise across the metropolitan space. The trio joins veteran Oredigger assistants Andy Foley and Colin Fenster.

 

MEET KATHERINE ANDRIE

As referenced above, Coach Andrie will function the lead girl for the Mines diving groups. She joins the workers with each a formidable résumé as a diving coach, and a private familiarity with Colorado School of Mines. Two of her kids, Marty and Carlie, attended Mines and competed for the Orediggers. Marty was a nine-time all-American in cross nation and observe & discipline and a member of the 2015 Men’s Cross Country staff which received the NCAA Division II Championship. That staff was inducted into the Harry D. Campbell Oredigger Hall of Fame in 2023. Carlie competed in triathlon and for the membership water polo staff throughout her time at Mines. On deck, Coach Andrie boasts a number of a long time of highschool and membership teaching expertise with stops at quite a few excessive faculties within the Denver space together with Valor Christian, Littleton, Douglas County, Smoky Hill, and extra. She was named East Metro Diving Coach of the Year in 2011 and CHSAA 4A Dive Coach of the Year in 2018.

 

MEET BRAD SHANNON

Shannon arrived in Golden, Colo., over the summer time following two years as the top man at William Peace University in North Carolina. He and his workers earned 2024-25 Independent South Swimming Conference Men’s Swimming Coaching Staff of the Year after guiding WPU’s males to second-place end on the convention meet whereas the ladies took staff bronze. The Pacer’s 2023-24 squads mixed for six gold medals on the ISSC meet and broke 9 program data. Prior to William Peace, Shannon was an assistant on the University of Rochester from 2019-23. Additional skilled expertise contains work as a counselor at each the University of Florida and N.C. State swim camps. Collegiately, Shannon competed at Ohio State University and earned Ohio State and Big Ten Scholar Athlete distinction all 4 years. He was a USA Swimming Olympic Trial Qualifier in 2016 as properly. He owns a bachelor’s diploma in worldwide research with a specialization in safety and intelligence from OSU. Shannon earned his grasp’s diploma from Concordia Chicago in utilized train science. Fans can learn extra about Shannon’s accomplishments in his on-line bio.

 

MEET GRAHAM WALKER

Walker joins the Oredigger workers following an elite newbie and collegiate swimming profession. Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Walker represented Team Kenya at each the All-Africa Games and the Commonwealth Games. He went on to compete for the University of Denver underneath coach McDaniel. His high-level efficiency within the pool additionally led to serving as staff captain his last two years with the Pioneers. Walker’s coach profession began whereas he was nonetheless in faculty, educating swimming classes, and continued after commencement. He finally accepted a proper teaching function with the University of Denver Hilltoppers Swim Club in 2022. Since then, Walker coached a number of state champions and program report holders. He returned to DU as an assistant coach in 2024 and helped oversee convention titles and continued aggressive success. Fans may also discover his bio on-line.

 

AT THE HELM

Colorado School of Mines Swimming Head Coach Claire McDaniel is in her seventh season on the helm for the Oredigger women and men. McDaniel received her fourth RMAC Coach of the Year on the boys’s aspect after guiding the Orediggers to staff silver on the 2024-25 RMAC Swimming & Diving Championships. She additionally owns three RMAC Coach of the Year awards on the ladies’s aspect. Through six seasons, McDaniel has coached 5 RMAC Swimmers of the Year, 4 RMAC Freshmen of the Year, and 27 all-American performances together with 23 particular person occasions and 4 relays.

 

UP NEXT

Following Saturday’s residence finale, Mines will prepare for the First Chance Invitational at DU Feb. 6-7. A full preview and stay protection can be accessible the day earlier than at www.minesathletics.com.

 

Fans can sustain with Mines swimming on “X” (previously Twitter), Facebook and Instagram at @MinesSwimming. They may also sustain with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all 12 months lengthy on Facebook, “X” and Instagram utilizing the deal with @MinesAthletics.