MONTEREY PARK, Calif. – Cal State East Bay wrapped up the 2026 PCSC Swimming and Diving Championships on Saturday at ELAC Swim Stadium by securing its second conference title in three years, closing out a dominant and disciplined week under head coach Shane Pelton. The Pioneers entered the final day with a comfortable advantage but still needed strong point‑scoring swims to seal the crown, and they responded with another round of medal‑winning performances that returned the trophy to Hayward.
Distance events again set the tone. Maggie Clemens completed one of the most impressive distance sweeps in program history, taking first in the 1,000, 500 and 1,650‑yard freestyle. Her victory in the 1,650 was historic—she became the first Pioneer ever to break 17 minutes in the event, clocking 16:57.28. The swim marked her second program record of the week and eclipsed the previous mark set by teammate Malana Kollath in November, also at ELAC. Kollath earned second in all three distance finals, continuing a one‑two punch that powered the Pioneers throughout the meet.
East Bay also celebrated a breakthrough moment from Taylor Kolsch, who claimed her first individual gold medal as a Pioneer by winning the 200‑yard backstroke in 2:01.82.
The Pioneers finished the week with eight gold, six silver and two bronze medals. Several swimmers appeared on the podium multiple times, reflecting the depth and balance that carried East Bay to the championship.
Medal breakdown
Kylie Beaudet – one bronze
Lily Caraway – one gold
Maggie Clemens – three gold
Rae Ann Dressel – two gold, two silver
Alexia Fajardo – two gold, two silver
Malana Kollath – three silver
Taylor Kolsch – two gold
Tehani Kong – three gold, two silver, one bronze
Amaya Rocheleau – two gold, one silver
Next, the Pioneers turn their focus to the NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving Championships, scheduled for March 10–14 at the Deaconess Aquatic Center in Evansville, Indiana. Official selections will be announced in late February, and East Bay is well positioned to send a strong group onto the national stage.
