Rob Clayton and Kyle Van Valkenburg Named MPSF Coaches of the Year, 22 All-MPSF Honorees
4/2/2026 9:57:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
WOODLAND, Calif., - Following the completion of the 2025-26 season, both Falcon head coaches were honored as Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Men's Swimming and Diving Coaches of the Year, as released by officials on Thursday morning. The pair of coaches become the first Air Force recipients of MPSF Swimming and Diving annual awards as they led the Falcons to their first MPSF Championship title. Additionally, Air Force saw eight Falcons named All-MPSF First Team and 14 individuals on the All-MPSF Second Team list with four Second Team relays.
MPSF MEN'S SWIMMING COACH OF THE YEAR
In his 28th season at the helm, Head Coach Rob Clayton led Air Force to a historic milestone, capturing the program's first-ever MPSF team championship in 2026. The Falcons secured three conference titles and added eight more top-three finishes, totaling 11 podium results.
Individually, conference titles came from James Winterfield in the 100 fly and Tanner Wilson in both the 100 and 200 breast. Wilson set a new MPSF record in the 200 breast (1:54.28) to earn an automatic NCAA berth, where he placed 28th, while also qualifying in the 100 breast. Winterfield matched that momentum, breaking both the MPSF and facility records in the 100 fly (46.06) to secure his NCAA appearance.
MPSF MEN'S DIVING COACH OF THE YEAR
In his third season, diving coach Kyle Van Valkenburg played a key role in leading Air Force to its first-ever MPSF team championship in 2026.
Under his guidance, Lucas Gerten delivered a standout campaign, earning three All-MPSF First Team honors. He placed second on platform and three-meter while adding a third-place finish on one-meter at the conference meet. Gerten claimed seven event titles throughout the season and set new Academy records on all three boards.
The Falcons added five more all-conference honors, highlighted by Brady Nichol, who earned Second Team All-MPSF recognition with top-eight finishes across all three boards. At the NCAA Zone meet, Gerten advanced to the finals on each board, finishing 12th once and 13th twice, while Nichol followed closely with a 14th-place finish on platform.
ALL-MPSF FIRST TEAM (TOP 3 INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENTS)
Joe Christ – 200 free (1:36.21)
Lucas Gerten – 1-meter (339.70), 3-meter (380.40), platform (384.45)
Tucker Rice – 1650 free (15:27.88)
Bridon Rosales – 100 breast (52.43)
Tyler Surratt – 500 free (4:22.57)
Camden Swigart – 200 IM (1:44.87), 400 IM (3:46.07)
Tanner Wilson – 100 breast (52.19), 200 breast (1:54.28)
James Winterfield – 100 fly (46.06), 200 fly (1:44.68), 200 IM (1:43.99)
ALL-MPSF SECOND TEAM (INDIVIDUALS: 4th-8th | RELAYS: 2nd & 3rd)
200 medley relay (Dylan Ferguson, Bridon Rosales, Tanner Wilson, Jordan Falls)
800 free relay (James Winterfield, Joe Christ, Tyler Surratt, Camden Swigart)
400 medley relay (Matthew Doty, Bridon Rosales, James Winterfield, Joe Christ)
400 free relay (Jordan Falls, James Winterfield, Joe Christ, Camden Swigart)
Louie Body – 200 back (1:44.38)
Brandon Cho – 200 breast (1:57.54)
Joe Christ – 500 free (4:26.55)
Jonas Dark – 200 IM (1:47.28), 200 fly (1:47.50)
Matthew Doty – 200 IM (1:45.26), 400 IM (3:48.29)
Jordan Falls – 50 free (20.02), 100 free (43.89)
Korbin Moyer – platform (296.70)
Brady Nichol – 1-meter (312.70), 3-meter (335.95), platform (296.70)
Jack Roby – 1-meter (282.80)
Bridon Rosales – 200 breast (1:58.76)
Anthony Sebastian – 200 breast (1:57.76)
Tyler Surratt – 200 free (1:37.82), 1650 free (15:28.51)
Camden Swigart – 200 breast (1:57.76)
Evan Witte – 400 IM (3:49.03), 1650 free (15:31.78), 200 fly (1:50.49)
For the full list of MPSF Men's Swimming and Diving honorees, click here.
MPSF MEN'S SWIMMING COACH OF THE YEAR
In his 28th season at the helm, Head Coach Rob Clayton led Air Force to a historic milestone, capturing the program's first-ever MPSF team championship in 2026. The Falcons secured three conference titles and added eight more top-three finishes, totaling 11 podium results.
Individually, conference titles came from James Winterfield in the 100 fly and Tanner Wilson in both the 100 and 200 breast. Wilson set a new MPSF record in the 200 breast (1:54.28) to earn an automatic NCAA berth, where he placed 28th, while also qualifying in the 100 breast. Winterfield matched that momentum, breaking both the MPSF and facility records in the 100 fly (46.06) to secure his NCAA appearance.
MPSF MEN'S DIVING COACH OF THE YEAR
In his third season, diving coach Kyle Van Valkenburg played a key role in leading Air Force to its first-ever MPSF team championship in 2026.
Under his guidance, Lucas Gerten delivered a standout campaign, earning three All-MPSF First Team honors. He placed second on platform and three-meter while adding a third-place finish on one-meter at the conference meet. Gerten claimed seven event titles throughout the season and set new Academy records on all three boards.
The Falcons added five more all-conference honors, highlighted by Brady Nichol, who earned Second Team All-MPSF recognition with top-eight finishes across all three boards. At the NCAA Zone meet, Gerten advanced to the finals on each board, finishing 12th once and 13th twice, while Nichol followed closely with a 14th-place finish on platform.
ALL-MPSF FIRST TEAM (TOP 3 INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENTS)
Joe Christ – 200 free (1:36.21)
Lucas Gerten – 1-meter (339.70), 3-meter (380.40), platform (384.45)
Tucker Rice – 1650 free (15:27.88)
Bridon Rosales – 100 breast (52.43)
Tyler Surratt – 500 free (4:22.57)
Camden Swigart – 200 IM (1:44.87), 400 IM (3:46.07)
Tanner Wilson – 100 breast (52.19), 200 breast (1:54.28)
James Winterfield – 100 fly (46.06), 200 fly (1:44.68), 200 IM (1:43.99)
ALL-MPSF SECOND TEAM (INDIVIDUALS: 4th-8th | RELAYS: 2nd & 3rd)
200 medley relay (Dylan Ferguson, Bridon Rosales, Tanner Wilson, Jordan Falls)
800 free relay (James Winterfield, Joe Christ, Tyler Surratt, Camden Swigart)
400 medley relay (Matthew Doty, Bridon Rosales, James Winterfield, Joe Christ)
400 free relay (Jordan Falls, James Winterfield, Joe Christ, Camden Swigart)
Louie Body – 200 back (1:44.38)
Brandon Cho – 200 breast (1:57.54)
Joe Christ – 500 free (4:26.55)
Jonas Dark – 200 IM (1:47.28), 200 fly (1:47.50)
Matthew Doty – 200 IM (1:45.26), 400 IM (3:48.29)
Jordan Falls – 50 free (20.02), 100 free (43.89)
Korbin Moyer – platform (296.70)
Brady Nichol – 1-meter (312.70), 3-meter (335.95), platform (296.70)
Jack Roby – 1-meter (282.80)
Bridon Rosales – 200 breast (1:58.76)
Anthony Sebastian – 200 breast (1:57.76)
Tyler Surratt – 200 free (1:37.82), 1650 free (15:28.51)
Camden Swigart – 200 breast (1:57.76)
Evan Witte – 400 IM (3:49.03), 1650 free (15:31.78), 200 fly (1:50.49)
For the full list of MPSF Men's Swimming and Diving honorees, click here.
Players Mentioned
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Free
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Diving
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Free
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Breast/Fly
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IM/Distance
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