For decades, the only winter sports competing for The Master’s University were men’s and women’s basketball (with the addition of women’s indoor track and field in 2014). But in the last several years, the University has added swimming and diving as well as men’s indoor track and field, with more and more athletes choosing TMU and bringing those rosters to record numbers.
Last season, TMU made a lot of noise in the NAIA during the winter, highlighted by two individual national titles. With a returning base of All-Americans and the addition of several nationally recognized newcomers, these teams will continue to honor Christ through their success.
As always, your best source for all things TMU Athletics is gomustangs.com, where you will find results from the fall season, schedules, stats, and livestreams of games.
Kaleb Lowery
Head Coach: Kelvin Starr (8th season)
Overview
This year’s team promises to be fast, athletic, and exciting, especially with the addition of a pair of NCAA Division I transfers mixing with NAIA First-Team All-American Kaleb Lowery and a core group of players that, if healthy, could make a deep run in the national tournament.
Key Returners
Kaleb Lowery (1st Team NAIA All-American, ’22-23)
Jordan Caruso (All-GSAC, ’22-23)
Kamrin Oriol (GSAC Freshman of the Year, ’22-23)
Caden Starr (11.0 ppg)
Key Newcomers
Ty Harper (transfer, NCAA D1 Eastern Washington University)
Jaren Nafarrete (transfer, NCAA D1 Seattle University)
Tiago Soares (brother of former Mustangs Tim, Jessica, and Stephanie)
Last Season: 20-9 Overall, 13-5 GSAC (2nd)
Sisters Belle and Lexi Hernandez
Head Coach: Lisa Zamroz (3rd season)
Overview
Four of five starters return from a team that narrowly missed the NAIA tournament last year. The squad also added several high-profile freshmen who are expected to make an immediate impact. Plus, three non-conference road trips will test and prepare the team for its 14-game conference schedule.
Key Returners
Madeline Cooke (GSAC-best 53 blocks in ’22-23)
Marin Lenz (11.5 ppg; 3.2 apg in ’22-23)
Lexi Hernandez (8.4 rebounds per game; 9.1 ppg)
Belle Hernandez (11.3 ppg)
Key Newcomers
Nicole Chuang (18.4 ppg as a senior at West Torrance High)
Laney Grider (Co-Foothill League Player of the Year, Hart High)
Last Season: 17-10 Overall, 10-8 GSAC (5th)
Sam Jean
Head Coach: Zach Schroeder (18th season overall; 2nd with Indoor)
Overview
TMU’s first season of men’s indoor track and field was a remarkable success last year, with the Mustangs winning individual national titles in both the pole vault and the distance medley relay (DMR). Several of those athletes return for 2024. The team also added talented throwers Dominic Grinceri, Dawson Marks, and Seth Richardson, who along with returner Josh Williamson, should give TMU one of the best throwing groups in the NAIA.
Key Returners
Caleb Pouliot (indoor and outdoor pole vault national champion in ’23)
Brint Laubach (3x All-GSAC)
Daniel Rush (NAIA All-American, outdoor 5k)
Hunter Romine (NAIA All-American, indoor 5k)
Zach Garey (member of DMR national championship team)
Sam Jean (member of DMR national championship team)
Key Newcomers
Jacob Fredericks (Foothill League XC Champion)
Emmanuel De Leon (Transfer from Menlo; GSAC Freshman of the Year)
Suzie Johnson
Head Coach: Zach Schroeder (18th season; 11th with indoor)
Overview
The Mustangs’ latest trip to the NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships was highlighted by two All-American relay teams and school records for both Ellen Palmgren in the 600 meters and Hannah Fredericks in the 1,000 meters. With all but one of those runners returning this year, TMU will be looking to continue building one of the premier programs in the nation.
Key Returners
Hannah Fredericks (3x indoor NAIA All-American in ’23)
Ellen Palmgren (3x indoor NAIA All-American in ’23)
Suzie Johnson (NAIA All-American, indoor 4×800 in ’23)
Rebekah Niednagel (NAIA All-American, indoor DMR in ’23)
Key Newcomers
Sierra Hale (libero on TMU’s women’s volleyball team)
Juliette Colunga (Central Valley Conference Most Valuable Female Athlete)
Kayli Lincoln (Los Alamos HS)
Nilton Dos Santos de Oliveira
Head Coach: Curren Bates (3rd season)
Overview
Last season, The Master’s finished better than ever in the pool, placing 11th at the NAIA Swimming and Diving National Championships in Columbus, Georgia. Team records fell and four swimmers earned All-American distinction. All four of those athletes return this season, and with the addition of 10 swimmers (giving the Mustangs a full-sized roster for the first time), the goal of a top-10 team finish is within grasp.
Key Returners
Andrew Crabtree (2x NAIA All-American; 800 freestyle and 400 medley relays in ’23)
JT Sears (2x NAIA All-American; 800 free, 400 medley relays in ’23)
Freddie Cole (2x NAIA All-American; 800 free, 400 medley relays)
Nilton Dos Santos de Oliveira (2x NAIA All-American; 800 free, 400 medley relays)
Key Newcomers
Desmond Sutanto (Indonesia national record holder, 4×100 free relay team)
Dylan Crane (CIF finalist, Huntington Beach HS)
Tyler LeDet (California Community College state runner-up, 500 free)
JD Torres (Sierra College; CCCAA All-American)
Kylee Sears
Head Coach: Curren Bates (3rd season)
Overview
The TMU women’s swim and dive program is coming off its best year with a ninth-place finish at the NAIA Swimming and Diving National Championships. Three All-Americans return — including sophomore Kylee Sears, the national runner-up in the 500 freestyle — while several newcomers bring high hopes and fast times to the team.
Key Returners
Kylee Sears (4x NAIA All-American in ’23)
Trudy Patterson (2x NAIA All-American in ’23)
Jasmine Biederman (NAIA All-American, 400 medley relay in ’23)
Key Newcomers
Camryn Bussey (Sierra College, CCCAA state champion)
Rebekah Benedict (4x state qualifier)
Hope Gutierrez (CIF qualifier)
Elizabeth Cole (3x state qualifier)
Dave Caldwell is TMU’s sports information director.
Learn more about athletics at The Master’s University, here.
