University of North Texas Athletics
Saturday, September 26
Norman, OK
University of North Texas
vs
Sam Freas Invite
Swimmers Have Strong Showing in Oklahoma
9/27/2026 8:56:00 PM | Swimming and Diving
NORMAN, Okla. — The UNT swimmers had their first competition of the season over the weekend at the Sam Freas Invite and left with several strong showings in the pool.
UNT won the 200 medley relay as the team of Vivian Anderson, Maria Jose Sanchez Castro, Maria Mitova and Janci Pangburn swam a 1:46.08 and took first and second in the 200 freestyle, as Anika Wright won the race in 1:56.14 and Scarlett McCloud finished just behind in 1:56.25.
They also took first and second in the 100 backstroke, as Ava Zadigian won in 58.54 and Kaylah Yazzie took second in 1:00.44. Zadigian also won the 200 backstroke in 2:09.14.
Anderson won the 50 freestyle in 24.06, and Jette Schindler won the 200 butterfly in 2:08.29. The Mean Green swept the podium in the 100 freestyle, as McCloud won in 53.01, narrowly edging out Anderson by four one-hundredths of a second, while Pangburn took third in 53.88.
Sanchez Castro won the 200 breaststroke in 2:24.83 and the 100 IM in 59.99, and Wright and Ella Shepherd took first and second in the 500 freestyle. McCloud and Mitova matched the feat by going 1-2 in the 100 butterfly.
The Mean Green wrapped up the meet with a win in the 400 freestyle relay behind Anderson, Daya Hosey, McCloud and Pangburn in 3:37.67.
Head coach Brittany Roth said she was happy to see several standout performances, especially this early in the season.
"We had a great showing at the Sam Freas Invite," Roth said. "This meet is a great way to kick off the season and get some racing under our belts and prep us for the next phase of the season. I was really impressed with the way our freestylers were able to have a strong showing in each event group getting wins in every race tonight. Anika Wright and Ella Shepherd were on fire sweeping the 500. Ava Zadigian had a very strong meet, she was faster today in her 100 Back and 200 Back in all of the 25-26 season. Majo Sanchez Castro swam like a rocket out of a cannon, she spent the summer digging into the details of her swimming, and tonight that work was on display.
"Viv Anderson picked up right where she left off last year, with her sprint events, and I know she put a lot of time in the weight room this summer, and she was able to swim her fastest event at the end of the meet leading off the winning 400 Free Relay. It was fun getting to watch Daya Hosey and Janci Pangburn along with Scarlett McCloud secure the top time in the event."
UNT won the 200 medley relay as the team of Vivian Anderson, Maria Jose Sanchez Castro, Maria Mitova and Janci Pangburn swam a 1:46.08 and took first and second in the 200 freestyle, as Anika Wright won the race in 1:56.14 and Scarlett McCloud finished just behind in 1:56.25.
They also took first and second in the 100 backstroke, as Ava Zadigian won in 58.54 and Kaylah Yazzie took second in 1:00.44. Zadigian also won the 200 backstroke in 2:09.14.
Anderson won the 50 freestyle in 24.06, and Jette Schindler won the 200 butterfly in 2:08.29. The Mean Green swept the podium in the 100 freestyle, as McCloud won in 53.01, narrowly edging out Anderson by four one-hundredths of a second, while Pangburn took third in 53.88.
Sanchez Castro won the 200 breaststroke in 2:24.83 and the 100 IM in 59.99, and Wright and Ella Shepherd took first and second in the 500 freestyle. McCloud and Mitova matched the feat by going 1-2 in the 100 butterfly.
The Mean Green wrapped up the meet with a win in the 400 freestyle relay behind Anderson, Daya Hosey, McCloud and Pangburn in 3:37.67.
Head coach Brittany Roth said she was happy to see several standout performances, especially this early in the season.
"We had a great showing at the Sam Freas Invite," Roth said. "This meet is a great way to kick off the season and get some racing under our belts and prep us for the next phase of the season. I was really impressed with the way our freestylers were able to have a strong showing in each event group getting wins in every race tonight. Anika Wright and Ella Shepherd were on fire sweeping the 500. Ava Zadigian had a very strong meet, she was faster today in her 100 Back and 200 Back in all of the 25-26 season. Majo Sanchez Castro swam like a rocket out of a cannon, she spent the summer digging into the details of her swimming, and tonight that work was on display.
"Viv Anderson picked up right where she left off last year, with her sprint events, and I know she put a lot of time in the weight room this summer, and she was able to swim her fastest event at the end of the meet leading off the winning 400 Free Relay. It was fun getting to watch Daya Hosey and Janci Pangburn along with Scarlett McCloud secure the top time in the event."
Players Mentioned
Freestyle/Backstroke
/ Swimming and Diving
Freestyle
/ Swimming and Diving
Freestyle
/ Swimming and Diving
Freestyle/Butterfly
/ Swimming and DivingFreestyle
/ Swimming and Diving
Breaststroke/IM
/ Swimming and Diving
Butterfly
/ Swimming and DivingDistance Freestyle
/ Swimming and DivingFreestyle/IM
/ Swimming and DivingBackstroke
/ Swimming and Diving
Backstroke/IM
/ Swimming and DivingTuesday, May 06
Thursday, February 20