By: Marilyn Anye (@AnyeMarilyn) – Spear Reporter – The Spartans huddle with alumni during Alumni Night on Saturday at SRAC Pool in San Jose, Calif. (Photo by Marilyn Anye – Spear photographer)
San Jose State women’s swim and dive blended past and present Saturday at SRAC Pool, where alumni and current Spartans turned alumni night into a spirited showcase of support and celebration.
The event combined a mix of races between current swimmers and alumni, alongside relays that brought both groups together.
Strong swims, close finishes and constant support from teammates and the stands kept the day alive.
Several Spartans stood out throughout the meet as redshirt senior Ela Freiman added a strong touch in her race while sophomore Keira Vail closed with a finish that energized the team.
The mixed relays drew some of the loudest cheers, as alumni and current Spartans swam side by side in races that looked less like competition and more like teammates sharing the sport they love.
Current Spartans and alumni compete side by side during alumni night on Saturday at SRAC Pool in San Jose, Calif. (Photo by Marilyn Anye – Spear photographer)
Meanwhile, the alumni proved that they still had what it took to reach the finish line and make it their own.
“We’ve got some alumni that definitely still got it,” head coach Sage Hopkins said. “They had some great speed out there.”
Alumni were greeted by the coach and the current swimmers, starting the event off on a sweet note.
The crowd pulled out their phones to record special moments that felt more like a reunion than a meet.
When asked what she would remember most, Andreea Dragoi responded, “The Spartan relays and the Spartan cheers.”
“It felt wonderful, it felt magical, it felt like the place to be,” Dragoi said. “Everyone who used to call San Jose State their home was back.”
There was a high level of energy throughout the day, as everyone had a positive outlook for the event.
Swimmers were constantly encouraging each other, alongside the crowd, whether a swimmer was ahead or behind.
It wasn’t about who got in first or last but about the opportunity of swimming with past and current teammates and learning from each other.
“It’s amazing for me to see these women come back, many of them with kids, with careers, with families, and to see how special their time at San Jose State was,” Hopkins said. “It’s a very special time for us.”
He added that the event is a perfect opportunity for swimmers to gain inspiration and networking skills as alumni share their stories of their lives after swimming.
The afternoon ended with the Spartans’ traditional team cheer, led by redshirt junior Mya Azzopardi, as teammates and alumni joined in from the stands.
The cheer echoed through the pool, closing an afternoon that highlighted connection over competition.
Hopkins described the meet as “a fun start to the season” before they get into the more serious racing later in the fall.
The Spartans return to action Oct. 10–11 at the all-day Fresno State Invite in Fresno, Calif.
