MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Macalester wrapped up competition at the MIAC Swim & Dive Championships with multiple All-MIAC performances and strong depth across the final day of events, highlighted by podium finishes in the 200 yard backstroke and 100 yard freestyle.
Sophomore Kean Pajarillaga (Saipan, Marianas Pacific/Grace Christian Academy) earned All-MIAC honors in the 200-yard backstroke with a third-place finish in 1:52.73. After qualifying for the championship final with a time of 1:53.28, Pajarillaga put together a consistent swim in the evening session to secure 16 points for the Scots.
Macalester followed with an impressive showing in the 100-yard freestyle, placing three swimmers in the A final. Junior Thomas Moore (Philadelphia, Pa./Science Leadership Academy) led the way with a third-place finish and All-MIAC recognition, clocking a 46.40 after a 46.55 prelim swim. Junior Max Taufen (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) and senior Tj Palli (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) finished in seventh- and eighth-place finishes in 47.08 and 47.52, respectively. Senior Casey Meretta (Potomac, Md./Winston Churchill) added to the team total with a 16th-place finish (48.81).
In the 200-yard breaststroke, senior Will St. John (McGaheysville, Va./East Rockingham) picked up honorable mention honors with a sixth-place finish in 2:09.50, contributing 13 team points in the A final. First-year Spencer Laga (Milwaukee, Wis./Rufus King) also scored for the Scots with a 16th-place showing in 2:19.46.
The Scots continued to add points in the 200-yard butterfly. First-year Edward Barnes (Amherst, N.H./Souhegan) earned honorable mention recognition with a fourth-place finish in 1:55.81 after advancing to the A final. Sophomore Bode Thompson (Blacksburg, Va./Blacksburg) placed 10th overall in 1:59.78 in the B final, while sophomores Boden Allen (Los Angeles, Calif./Redondo Union) placed 12th overall in 2:02.63 and Jack Schumacher (Golden, Colo./Lakewood) came in 13th and finished in 2:07.40 also contributing to the team score.
Overall, Macalester recorded two All-MIAC performances and multiple honorable mention finishes on the final day, closing out the championship meet and their season with a series of strong individual swims and a strong team showing.
Macalester College is a Top 25 Liberal Arts College in St. Paul, MN known for its rigorous academics, commitment to community, service to society, and internationalism and multiculturalism. A MIAC program on the rise — the swimming and diving Scots have broken 20+ school records in each of the past two seasons; the women’s team finished runner-up in 2025. Curiosity. Competition and Drive. Community. #GoScots #MacalesterSwive