STOCKTON, Calif. – For the second week in a row, the Pacific swimming program has garnered Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Athletes of the Week recognition, as announced by the conference Wednesday afternoon.
 
Senior Mitchell Hopper and senior Paige Sondgeroth received the honors for their efforts in the back-to-back home meets against Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara at the Eberhardt Aquatics Center. The pair of veteran swimmers have been exceptional performers and dynamic leaders amidst a strong season for the men's and women's swimming teams where four pairs of Pacific swimmers have earned MPSF Athlete of the Week accolades throughout the 2024-25 campaign.
 
Hopper, a native of Happy Valley, Ore., earned three first-place finishes against Cal Poly in the men's 200 yard free, 100 yard free and 100 yard fly. Hopper set a season best in the 200 yard free with a time of 1:36.81 against UC Santa Barbara. One of the captains on the men's side, Hopper also secured second place finish in the men's 100 yard free. This is the second time this season Hopper has earned a conference accolade with his first being on Nov. 5, 2024, after a home victory over CSU Bakersfield.
 
"Mitchell raced with more confidence this past weekend and his performances showed that," head coach Katelyne Herrington said. "It was good to see him more in his element, executing his races more aggressively on the front end."
 
Sondgeroth, a native of Las Vegas, Nevada, also recorded three-first place finishes against Cal Poly in the women's 100 yard breast, 200 yard breast and 200 yard IM. Sondgeroth set two season bests and one personal best time (200 yard breast/2:17.82) as she guided the Tigers to a victory over the Mustangs. This is the second time this season that Sondgeroth has been recognized as an MPSF Athlete of the Week. Sondgeroth was named to the award last week alongside junior Mattia Giurgevich. 
 
"Paige is really hitting her stride right now with her impressive performances the past two weekends," Herrington said. "She was incredible against Cal Poly with all season best times and a personal best time in the 200 breast by almost two seconds! I am so proud of her and loved seeing her smile big!"
 
Hopper, Sondgeroth and the rest of the Tigers' swimming program looks ahead to its second week of back-to-back home meets, hosting UC Davis on Saturday at noon and Simon Fraser on Sunday at 11 a.m. at the Eberhardt Aquatics Center. Both meets, including Senior Day on Sunday, will be streamed live on Overnght.
 
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