The St. Thomas men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams both completed undefeated seasons at the Conference Invite Saturday in the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Aquatic Center.

The women won eight events, contributing to the team’s first undefeated season in its 35-year history, while the men won six events and had six second-place finishes en route to their first undefeated season since 1942.

Coach Tom Hodgson said many factors have contributed to the teams’ success.

“It’s kind of a perfect storm of better training, probably more effective coaching and some nice talent that’s coming in,” Hodgson said. “That’s given the program a real bump.”

The women’s swimming and diving team faced off against rival Gustavus in a matchup of some of the top MIAC teams Saturday to cap off its undefeated reign.

Swimmer Mariann Kukielka was a part of the first place teams in the 200 and 400 medley relays. She said she was proud of how far the team has come since the beginning of the season.

“A couple of months ago, we wouldn’t have even thought that (beating Gustavus) was possible,” Kukielka said. “But we beat them by a lot this weekend.”

Swimmers Sam Rauchwarter and Maxwell Hamilton’s two first-place finishes were each crucial in securing the meet win and undefeated season for the men. Rauchwarter’s victories came in the 400 and 800 freestyle relays, while Hamilton took home the 100 breaststroke and 400 medley relay.

This year, the team grew with two new assistant coaches, who Kukielka said have contributed in different ways to the team.

“We’ve incorporated last year’s training style, and we’ve added a few new things,” Kulkielka said. “We had a completely different weight lifting program this year.”

The team also stepped up its training over January Term, incorporating the P-90X workout into its two daily practices.

“It’s just been a really nice experience to have everyone on board and all of us working harder and giving more of a time commitment,” Kukielka said.

Rauchwarter said he is looking forward to continuing a long, competitive season.

“We should be right up there, right next to St. Olaf, battling and duking it out for first place. It’ll be really fun to see everyone competing,” Rauchwarter said. “Hopefully we can pull two championships together.”

Diving

Diver Casey Nightingale took fourth place in the 3-meter and 1-meter diving events for the women Saturday, while Ryan Panure and Nick Johnson placed first and second, respectively, in the 1-meter competition. Johnson placed first in the 3-meter.

Nightingale said she can tell how each member of the team continues to improve.

“There is emphasis on winning and doing well, but not as much as like how far you’ve progressed from say the beginning of the season,” Nightingale said.

Diving coach Mark Dusbabek has been coaching for 21 years, the last five of which have been spent as a Tommie. Nightingale said he has played a large role in the team’s success this season.

“He takes the time to figure out how each person works and how like we think differently,” Nightingale said. “He tries to coach us in a way that’ll be most efficient.”

Dusbabek said having three female divers, mostly at the same level, helps improve the team’s performance.

“You see each of them pushing each other to reach their best and with that sort of internal competition, they feed off each other,” Dusbabek said.

Nightingale said the teams’ hard work at practices is key, even with the cuts and bruises acquired along the way.

“Our blood, sweat and tears are in the pool,” Nightingale said. “We are really dedicated to what we’re doing and we enjoy what we’re doing a lot and that shows.”