In a season of change and challenges, the Cougs took to the pool and swam like never before.
The Washington State University women’s swim team notched an undefeated regular season in 2024–25 for the first time in program history. In addition to the 8–0 record, individual swimmers and relay teams broke numerous records.
Sweeping the season was a goal from the beginning, says first-year coach Russell Whitaker. But that meant hard work, good feedback, and sticking together.
Whitaker, who started at WSU under former coach Tom Jager, says “Tom was never afraid to hide his opinions, and I think it’s important as a coach to be open and honest.”
A lot was in flux for the team, with Whitaker as new head coach and new assistant coaches Austin Pillado and Tylor Mathieu, plus a whole new conference. When the Cougs competed in the Mountain West Conference this year, it meant facing less-known opponents.
Whitaker, though, came from the University of Wyoming, so he was familiar with the Mountain West. He knew the teams, but at the end of the day, it was about the WSU team’s own focus.
“We just need some water to swim in, and we’re going to be just as competitive as everybody else,” Whitaker says.
Emily Lundgren, a junior from Chula Vista, California, says it was almost like a reset for the program, but it led to success. She says that the solid showing was also due to the team members’ support for each other, and that it “went by so fast because we enjoyed it.”
The WSU swimmers and coaches went on a camping retreat in northern Idaho early in the school year, which set the tone and values for their team. “We reminded ourselves of those values every day, and it made it easier the whole season,” Lundgren says.
Lundgren herself had an amazing season. Her speed in the water was on display as she broke school records in the 100 and 200 breaststroke, and the 200 individual medley.
Her teammates joined her in rewriting the WSU swim record book. The Cougs set three school records versus Utah Tech, including the 400-meter medley relay.
In a January victory over Idaho, the team broke six more Gibb Pool records, including two by freshman Darcy Revitt in the 100 freestyle and 50 freestyle.
They continued the winning streak with five individual event titles and two relay titles at the Mountain West Conference tournament in late February. Lundgren set a Mountain West all-time and championship record in the 200 breaststroke and won the 200 individual medley. Meanwhile, Dori Hathazi claimed the 200 butterfly title and Revitt won the 50 and 100 freestyle events.
WSU as a team came in fifth in the tournament, its best finish in a conference championship. Lundgren was named Swimmer of the Meet, while teammate Revitt was Co-Freshman of the Meet.
At the end of the regular season, 10 Washington State swimmers and four relay teams received All-Mountain West Conference honors.
Lundgren says that loud fans, and hearing “Go Cougs!” wherever they went, helped make the season magical. And, “I’ve never felt so much support from the team and coaches,” she says.
The swimmers’ strong showing led to the selection of Hathazi, Lundgren, and Revitt for the 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, hosted by WSU in Federal Way at the end of March.
This was only the second time in program history that WSU swimming had three students selected to the NCAA Championships. Lundgren took advantage and capped off her season with a sixth-place finish nationally in the 100 breaststroke, the best finish by a Cougar in NCAA history, and she became WSU’s first All-American since 2000.
Whitaker notes that the rapid shifts in college sports do have an impact, but that student athletes “just want to know that you’re going to invest in them, both with scholarships and time. And they are still here representing the crimson and gray, wearing that logo proudly. I think it’s our job to make sure that we’re backing them 100 percent,” he says.
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Videos of the WSU women’s swim team
Senior swimmer and team captain Samantha “Sam” Krew named a 2025 Top Ten Senior
Emily Lundgren: The Hunt for a National Title and Mooing Contests? (Podcast: The FieldHouse Report podcast, Episode 9, April 29, 2025)