Sanchez representing Razorbacks at NCAA Championships
By Bella Cothern
Special to ArkansasRazorbacks.com
The 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships are looking a little different this year for the Arkansas Razorbacks. This year, the Razorbacks only had one athlete qualify, diver Maria Sanchez. I dove in and researched to figure out if the Razorbacks can earn a ranking for the seventh season in a row (not including 2020), despite only having one athlete representing the team at the national meet.
Fortunately for Arkansas, Sanchez isn’t just any diver – she has proven herself as a true national-level competitor this season. At last week’s NCAA Zone D meet, she secured her spot at the NCAA Championships on all three boards, finishing fourth on 3-meter (638.55), seventh on 1-meter (590.95) and fourth on platform (616.60).
Arkansas’ Previous NCAA Appearances in the last five years
Over the past five years, Arkansas has qualified individual athletes every season and relay teams every year except last season (2023-2024). In 2024, three individual swimmers – Alessia Ferragutti, Betsy Wizard and Bella Cothern – competed with Ferragutti scoring the team’s only points to secure a 36th-place finish. In the 2021 (27th), 2022 (28th) and 2023 (28th) championships, the majority of Arkansas’ points came from relays with multiple NCAA Honorable Mentions going to Andrea Sansores, Kobie Melton, Wizard, Ferragutti, Vanessa Herrmann, Cothern and Emily Barclay. So, this is the first year in a while that Arkansas will be arriving to the meet with no swimmers.
How is Sanchez looking?
Going into the meet this week, Sanchez is projected to score in two out of the three events she is qualified. She is currently projected 16th on 1m and sixth on platform. Clearly, platform has been her specialty, as she showed out and secured a third place finish at the SEC Championships.
Sanchez’s Perspective
I had the opportunity to talk with Sanchez and gain insight into her perspective and how she is feeling leading into the meet this week. Being a freshman – not to mention the only one from our team at NCAAs – can be scary but for her, it is just another meet.
When asked what it means to her to be able to represent the Razorbacks at the NCAA Championships, she says: “It is an honor. This team gave me the opportunity to study and at the same time keep doing what I love, and everyone has supported me in their own way. All of my teammates and staff have put a little bit of their own in this last competition, so I’m diving for me, yes, but I’m also diving thanks to everyone in Arkansas.”
She admits the nerves are always there but she has learned to set them aside.
“I’m more excited than nervous,” Sanchez says. “It’s a new experience, and I want to enjoy it and showcase my hard work. I’m especially excited to see my friends and dive. Competing in the final meet of the season is a privilege, and I plan to make the most of it.”
Leading into the big meet, she is focused on her preparation.
“I’ve focused a lot on my line-ups,” Sanchez says. “They still need improvement, but I’m confident I’ll reach my goal. I’ve also worked on patience and trusting the process. Everyone around me – family, friends, coaches, teammates and staff – has supported me throughout the season, leading to this moment at zones and NCAAs.”
So, can Sanchez lead Arkansas to a ranking?
The question remains: Can Sanchez help Arkansas earn a ranking this year? Based on her performances so far, the answer is a resounding yes. She has consistently showcased skill and determination, proving to be a key asset to the team. However, maintaining composure and sticking to what she does best will be crucial. If she can stay focused and execute under pressure, she has the potential to play a major role in leading Arkansas to an impressive and successful season finish.
The NCAA Championships began on Wednesday with diving getting underway Thursday. Sanchez will compete on 1-meter on Thursday, 3-meter on Friday and platform on Saturday. Watch the meet by clicking here.
The author, Bella Cothern, is a swimmer for the Razorbacks specializing in the freestyle and the breast stroke.
