INDIANAPOLIS – La Salle men's swimmer Felix Jedbratt has made history by qualifying for the 2025 NCAA Swimming Championships, announced by the NCAA on March 12, 2025. His qualification marks the first time since 1992 a male swimmer from La Salle University will take part in this prestigious event.
Jedbratt will compete in the 100-yard butterfly and has the option to swim the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events at the championship meet, which takes place from March 29. This milestone cements Jedbratt's position as one of the top swimmers in college swimming.
At the Atlantic 10 Conference Championships earlier this month, Jedbratt dazzled the competition, winning the 100-yard butterfly with a blistering time of 44.97 seconds, setting the A-10 Championship meet record. He didn't stop there; he also clinched victory in the 50-yard freestyle with a remarkable time of 19.2 seconds, etching his name in the history books with another conference record. His performance solidified him as one of the standout athletes of the championships, finishing no less than second overall in the 100-yard freestyle.
Meanwhile, at the NCAA Diving Zone E Championships held in Federal Way, Washington, Mira Tinani wrapped up her impressive participation on March 12, 2025. The sophomore diver for NM State concluded her three-day showing by vying for qualification to the NCAA Championships later this month. Although she fell short, her performance was commendable and showed her potential for future events.
The competition began on March 10, when Tinani competed in the 3-meter dives, where she scored 239.50 points but finished 37th out of 51 student-athletes. The following day, she displayed exceptional skill on the platform, earning her best score of the season with 223.30 across five dives, which put her in 17th place among 41 divers and allowed her to advance to the finals.
Despite her impressive efforts, Tinani finished 18th with a total of 398.95 points after the finals. She faced tough competition, as the top spots were predominantly filled by divers from Power Five conferences. On the last day of competition, Tinani competed in the 1-meter dives, scoring 212.55 points and finishing 36th among 48 participants.
Coach Rick Pratt praised Tinani's performance, stating, "I'm very proud of Mira! Tuesday was a great experience for her. Her future and potential are bright and I'm excited to see how this meet will encourage her." This reflects not only her growth as a competitor but also hints at the bright prospects for her future competitions.
While Tinani may not have qualified for the NCAA Championships, her significant contributions to the NM State team were evident. At the recent WAC Championships, she earned 35 points for NM State out of their total of 534, underscoring her pivotal role within the team. Her second-place finish in the A Final of the platform event was particularly remarkable and highlighted her dedication and talent.
Both Jedbratt and Tinani's recent successes embody the potential for greatness within collegiate athletics. Jedbratt's record-breaking swims and Tinani's strong finishes indicate the remarkable level of talent present today, showcasing what hard work and determination can achieve. The upcoming NCAA Swimming Championships promise to be exciting for Jedbratt as he enters the events with great momentum. Meanwhile, Tinani's resilience and achievements reflect the heart of competitive sports, and they both inspire fellow student-athletes at La Salle and NM State to chase their athletic dreams.