By: Daniel Cook, Director of Athletics Communications & Digital Media
FEDERAL WAY, WA - California Baptist University saw incredible success in the pool during the NAIA and Division II eras. However, Saturday saw the dawning of a new era for Lancer swim & dive as Remi Fabiani took CBU to new heights as the first Lancer to earn All-America status in the Division I era with his performance in the 100-yard freestyle Consolation Final. Fabiani's 13th-place finish secured four points for the CBU men's team and a 38th overall placement, ahead of the South Carolina from the SEC.Â
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Fabiani, along with teammates
Mark Kovacsics and
Mario Del Valle, all finished out their trip to the 2025 NCAA National Championships on Saturday in their respective fields. De Valle wrapped up first in the Platform diving prelims, scoring a total of 310.00 points for his best placement finish of the weekend, 25th. Kovacsics was next in his signature event, the 1650 freestyle. He put forth a valiant effort in the nearly one-mile race, finishing his Championship in 28th place in a time of 14:58.77.
Fabiani was seeded 7th coming into prelims, placing him in the top heat of the events morning session. According to broadcast notes, this year saw more swimmers defy their seed times than ever before, including a swimmer just a few lanes down from Fabiani, who broke the NCAA record in the same prelim heat. Ultimately, Remi would rank 14th overall when the wake settled after prelims and an invite to compete in the evening session.
After the evening session's opening event of the 200 backstroke concluded, it was time for the 100 free Consolation Heat to begin. Fabiani was, for all intent and purpose, the six-seed in the penultimate race, placing him in lane seven. Fabiani had a quick start and made the first turn in fourth place. His final-leg split, 10.85, during the final 50 yards was his fastest outside of his start, no doubt helping him make up some distance and earn 5th place in his heat, 13th place overall, and claim CBU's first-ever NCAA points in swim & dive.
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Saturday night's action concluded a wildly successful 2024-25 swim and dive season for California Baptist. The end of the season also brings the end of Western Athletic Conference swimming & diving, as the WAC will no longer sponsor the sport moving forward. The Lancers are positioned well to continue their growth and success in the Moutain Pacific Sports Federation next season and The Big West the year after.
