Maverick Aquatics competed towards high regional expertise at a high-level championship meet in Arizona
Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU) El Pomar Natatorium is residence to each the varsity swim and dive staff and its official precollegiate USA Swimming membership, Maverick Aquatics. Maverick Aquatics consists of swimmers as younger because the age of 6 in addition to highschool athletes making ready for the following stage in their athletic careers. Over time, these athletes have made their approach into CMU’s traditionally adorned program.
The Maverick Aquatics Elite staff despatched 9 rivals to the 2026 Western Zone Short Course Yard Senior Championships held March 19-22 in Mesa, Arizona, on the Skyline Aquatic Center. Serving as one of many highest ranges of meets accessible for age group swimming, the occasion represents groups throughout 10 states and 14 Local Swimming Committees, that are regional governing our bodies inside USA Swimming. With arduous qualifying requirements, it’s thought of a major accomplishment to qualify for this upper-level meet.
Despite sending a small variety of swimmers, the staff completed twelfth general with a mixed 37 finals appearances. Individual standout performances embody Lucas Simmons, who gained the 200-meter breaststroke, incomes the primary gold medal in Maverick Aquatics historical past at a serious USA Swimming meet. Taylor Moses positioned second within the 200-meter backstroke, securing the primary medal of any variety for this system at this stage. The staff additionally earned runner-up honors within the Mixed Medley Relay and the Mixed Freestyle Relay. Overall, the staff carried out at a really excessive stage and introduced residence {hardware} to characterize their development.
Head coach and CMU swimming alumnus Dejan Urbanek stated he was particularly impressed by his staff’s dynamic and resilience.
“Beyond the results, what stood out most was the way our athletes represented the program,” Urbanek stated. “Their work ethic, team support and professionalism on deck were exceptional.”
The staff proved {that a} small variety of swimmers can compete on the highest stage and nonetheless discover success. The Maverick Aquatics staff is steadily enhancing and discovering a spot within the nationwide highlight. The staff’s tradition is robust and its coaching is unwavering. Urbanek not solely serves as the top coach of Maverick Aquatics, however he’s additionally the assistant aquatics coordinator, the Maverick Aquatics Elite coach and a Colorado Swimming board member serving as a Geographic Zone Representative for Zone 4. Urbanek’s involvement within the swimming neighborhood serves as a robust illustration of CMU and Maverick Aquatics.
Urbanek has a adorned background. Originally from Serbia, Urbanek represented his nation’s nationwide staff for seven years, competing in a number of worldwide meets. Urbanek swam for CMU and holds 11 RMAC championships and 11 All-American honors. He holds 4 CMU data and earned his diploma in laptop science whereas pursuing teaching.
Coach Urbanek and the Maverick Aquatics staff will proceed to compete by way of the summer season with the 2026 Grand Junction Invite going down June 18-21. CMU is concerned in a number of methods throughout the native youth neighborhood and has a transparent mission to extend the academic attainment fee in Mesa County. Maverick Aquatics and packages like Where We Become Mavericks permit extra recognition for the youthful era of scholars.