STOCKTON, Calif. – Pacific swimming made the most of its home water this weekend, sweeping the men's and women's team titles at the PAC Invite on Friday and Saturday at Chris Kjeldsen Pool at the Douglass M. Eberhardt Aquatics Center.

The victories marked Pacific's first sweep of the team titles at its home invitational since 2018 and the first home meet victory under the leadership of Pacific head coach Katelyne Herrington and her staff.

In the 2026 edition of the PAC Invite, the women captured first place with 861 points, finishing ahead of UC Santa Barbara's 777 and Cal State Bakersfield's 722. The men were equally impressive, compiling 1,143 points to distance themselves from UC Santa Barbara (968) and Cal State Bakersfield (540.5).

"It feels great, but it's not me. It's definitely them," Herrington said. "I felt like the team definitely came in with a different energy this year, different desires. They had higher goals than I've ever had before, and I think that just showed this weekend."

Whitney Merriman helped set the tone for the women, winning the 200 IM in 2:05.51 before adding another victory in the 200 breaststroke in 2:16.62. Merriman also qualified individually for the National Invitational Championships in the 100 IM as part of a weekend in which Herrington said the junior recorded best times across the board.

"I think both the men's and the women's side are off to a really strong start for the season, and considering it's only October, I think we should all be excited for what's ahead this season," Merriman said.

Pacific's depth was evident throughout the meet. Christina Agiomamitou won the women's 500 free in 5:01.86 and the 200 free in 1:50.83, while Laureen Roussel touched first in the 100 breast in 1:03.31.

The men produced similar dominance. Grant Huston led a one-two-three-four Pacific finish in the 200 IM with a 1:45.89, while Clark Apuada paced a sweep of the top five positions in the 50 free. Nate Rasmussen later captured the 100 free in 43.72.

Merriman credited the home environment as another boost for the Tigers, pointing to parents traveling from across the country and fans from every team filling the stands.

"It was really exciting to see a lot of people in the stands," Merriman said. "It was a really fun meet."

With an early-season title secured, Pacific now carries a strong foundation into its next training block.

"We've already achieved quite a few of our goals," Herrington said. "I'm excited to kind of just refine some of our goals and look ahead to what's next."

The Tigers will turn their attention to the end of the month where the men and women will compete in a tri-meet with San Jose State and UC Santa Cruz, hosted by the Spartans in the Bay Area.

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