SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Pepperdine Swim & Dive freshman Maile Sullivan has received MPSF Female Athlete of the Week honors for her performance against San Diego, the conference announced today.
"Maile has quickly become a star in Malibu," said interim head coach Dan Marella. "What's exciting is that there is so much room for her to grow as an athlete. I can't wait to see how her future unfolds here at Pepperdine."
Her impressive weekend was underscored by both the quality and quantity of her swims. She tagged her name to five victories against San Diego (two individual; three relays).
If there had to be one highlight to her performance, it would unquestionably be in the 100 free. The event saw her set a new program record of 50.88 seconds. It is the first time that Sullivan has set a new school best. By herself she also took the 50 free (23.73).
Her success in freestyle events did not stop there. She led-off both the winning 200 and 400 free relay teams (1:34.43; 3:26.82). The fifth gold that the freshman nabbed was in the 400 medley relay (3:45.62), where she anchored.
Prior to this weekend, Sullivan had already added her name to the program's top ten in the 50 (23.67) and 100 free (51.31).
It is the Singapore American School alum's first conference award of her career.
The Waves have now won two conference athletes of the week this season—both from freshman. Sophia Blietz took home the honors on Nov. 18, during a meet that saw her set the new 200 back record (2:00.37).
Sullivan and the rest of the program will conclude their regular season at home against Azusa Pacific Jan. 24. From there they set their sights on four days of conference championship action in late February.
2025-26 MPSF Athletes of the Week
Sept. 30: (W) Kelly Mejorada, Idaho / (M) Nate Rasmussen, Pacific
Oct. 7: (W) Ellyston Lombardi, Northern Colorado / (M) Bryson Huey, UNLV
Oct. 14: (W) Manou Meulebeek, UTRGV
Oct. 21: (W) Kyra Rabess, Northern Colorado / (M) Isaac Lee, Wyoming
Oct. 28: (W) Maria Erokhina, Northern Colorado / (M) Nate Rasmussen, Pacific
Nov. 4: (W) Marie Mason, Idaho / (M) Matthew Doty, Air Force
Nov. 11: (W) Kyra Rabess, Northern Colorado / (M) Bryson Huey, UNLV
Nov. 18: (W) Sophia Blietz, Pepperdine
Nov. 25: (W) Ginger Kiefer, Idaho / (M) Luis Oliveira, Incarnate Word
Dec. 9: (M) Bryson Huey, UNLV
Dec. 23: (M) Jackson Kogler, Wyoming
Jan. 14: (W) Mackenna Stocker, Northern Arizona / (M) Lucas Gerten, Air Force
Jan. 21: (W) Maile Sullivan, Pepperdine / (M) Tanner Wilson, Air Force
ABOUT PEPPERDINE SWIM AND DIVE
Pepperdine swimming & diving has a rich history spanning four decades, having posted top-five finishes in its conference in 32 of 39 seasons. The Waves have captured three conference championships in the past four seasons, its first three conference titles, winning its first MPSF Championship in 2025 after joining the conference the season prior. In 38 seasons in the PCSC, the Waves saw 48 individual champions and 20 PCSC Swimmer or Diver of the Year awards. Andreea Trufasu stands as the program's lone Olympian, having competed in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine swim and dive news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineWSD.
