Sports Replay: Sagehens Sweep Athletics in Spring 2026

Pomona-Pitzer has achieved major wins in the pool, across the field and on the court this spring. In various sports, the Sagehens won Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) championships and a national championship.

Individual student-athletes also picked up accolades. Two Pitzer students received Athlete of the Year honors in swim and dive and in water polo. A Pitzer student and alum received character awards in recognition of their resilience and community engagement. Pomona-Pitzer Athletics also gave awards to two Pitzer students for their feats this academic year.

These Sagehens’ accomplishments reflect how Pomona-Pitzer Athletics builds students as well-rounded leaders as well as athletes. 

Team Championships 

Men’s Swim and Dive Wins SCIAC Championship 

On February 21, the Pomona-Pitzer men’s swim and dive team claimed its fourth SCIAC championship in program history and third since 2018. As a team, the Sagehens finished with 922 points. CMS took second (820.5), and Chapman finished third (609). 

Women’s Swim and Dive Earns SCIAC Championship 

The Pomona-Pitzer women’s swim and dive team won its third-straight SCIAC championship on February 21. The team finished with 1,050 points to claim its 26th SCIAC title in program history. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (CMS) took second at 966, while Chapman University placed third at 409.  

Women’s Water Polo Becomes SCIAC Regular Season and USAWP National Champions 

The Pomona-Pitzer women’s water polo team scored its 15th SCIAC regular season championship in program history on April 8. The Sagehens finished the regular season at 18–15 overall and a perfect 12–0 in SCIAC play.

The Sagehens later defeated CMS 15–10 in the USA Water Polo Division III women’s national championship game on April 26, earning its fifth-straight title. 

Women’s Lacrosse Scores SCIAC Championships 

On April 22, the Pomona-Pitzer women’s lacrosse team clinched its fifth-straight SCIAC regular season championship. With the win, the Sagehens improved their record to 13–1 overall and an undefeated 9–0 in SCIAC play.

On May 2, the Sagehens claimed their fifth-straight SCIAC tournament championship by defeating CMS 18–10. The win gave the Sagehens an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.  

Men’s Baseball Achieves SCIAC Tournament Championship 

The Pomona-Pitzer baseball won its second SCIAC Tournament Championship in three seasons on May 9. The Sagehens’ 10–8 victory over CMS secured them a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Pitzer’s Cooper Berry ’27 was named Most Outstanding Player following the game. Berry led the Sagehens with four RBI on a grand slam in the second inning.

Individual Honors 

CalHOPE Courage Award: Kirk Lord ’28  

Kirk Lord ’28, who competes on the Pomona-Pitzer men’s track and field team, earned a CalHOPE Courage Award in January. This award honors his leadership, community advocacy, and resilience amid health challenges. 

Athlete of the Year: Nina Aballea ’27 

On the heels of the Sagehens’ SCIAC championship, Pitzer’s Nina Aballea ’27 was named Athlete of the Year in women’s swim and dive. This recognition honors Aballea’s individual wins and her contributions to the team victories throughout the championship. Aballea is a human biology major with a focus on pre-med and the head of aquatic staff at Sagehen Athletics. 

Defensive Athlete of the Year: Isabella Dova ’29 

The Sagehens’ mightiest water polo defender in 2026 is Pitzer’s Isabella Dova ’29. In April, Dova became the second first-year student in SCIAC history to be named Defensive Athlete of the Year. Dova totaled 141 saves on the year and a .415 save percentage while also tallying 42 steals and nine assists in goal. 

SCIAC Character Award: Rachel Roxarzade ’25  

Pitzer alum and Claremont Graduate University (CGU) student Rachel Roxarzade ’25 was recognized with the 2026 SCIAC Character Award in women’s tennis in April. This award is given to a senior who best exemplifies success on the court, in the classroom and in community and school service.  

Roxarzade has served as a campus captain of the non-profit Hidden Opponent and taught weekly tennis lessons for local elementary school students. Graduating from Pitzer in three years as a double major in Spanish and organizational studies, Roxarzade is currently pursuing an MBA at CGU.

Roxarzade also received the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award in May. 

2025–26 Pomona-Pitzer Student-Athlete Awards 

In May, Pomona-Pitzer Athletics recognized two Pitzer students for their athletic excellence. Nina Aballea ’27 of swim and dive was lauded with the Most Valuable Athlete Award. Will Parker ’29, a member of the baseball team, was dubbed Male Newcomer of the Year. 

Learn more at Sagehen Athletics.