Miami, Fla. - After another successful season for St. Thomas University Swimming & Diving, the Bobcats are ready to get back in the pool for their Ubuntu campaign. They will travel to the Doral Aquatic Center to compete in the TYR Fall Classic, which is hosted by Florida International.
Meet Details
Meet: TYR Fall Classic (Hosted by Florida International University)
Women's Teams: Florida International University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Tulane University, East Carolina University, Keiser University, St. Thomas University, and Florida Atlantic University
Men's Teams: Keiser University, St. Thomas University, and Florida Atlantic University
Dates: Friday, October 2 at 5:00 pm & Saturday, October 3 at 10:00 am
Location: Miami, Fla. | Doral Aquatic Center
Admission: $5 per day, and $8 for the weekend
Head Coach Asadi on the 2026-2027 Team
The Bobcats' Head Coach, Caesar Asadi, is entering his sixth season at the helm this fall. Asadi guided the Men's Swimming & Diving to St. Thomas University's first-ever team NAIA National Championship in school history in 2024, and 24 total NAIA National Championships. When asked about the 2026-2027 team, Asadi said, "The 26-27 Ubuntu campaign will be a challenge from start to finish. This roster is the youngest we've had in 4 years, and I look forward to seeing how our young Bobcats step up and execute our races". The Bobcats had a good offseason, as Asadi also commented, "We've had a great preseason focused on building a training environment of 'Iron Sharpens Iron' (Proverbs 27:17)".
Men's Team Preview
The men will be captained by Elliot Best. The senior from England is in his fourth year as a Bobcat. Best finished fifth in the 200-yard butterfly in the NAIA National Championship last season. He will be competing individually in the 400-yard IM and 200-yard butterfly this weekend, and Best finished 3rd in the 200-yard butterfly last year's TYR Fall Classic. Best looks to lead the young men against the defending NAIA National Champions in Keiser, and NCAA Division I Florida Atlantic, two teams Best has experience against.
One of the biggest incoming transfers for the Bobcats is Brandon Holder. Last year at the University of the Cumberlands, Holder won the 2026 NAIA National Championship in the 200-yard backstroke. The New Zealand native will be swimming in both the 100- and 200-yard backstroke, as well as all relays, in the TYR Fall Classic.
Leo Guleryuz is entering his sophomore year. The Stockholm, Sweden, native transfers to St. Thomas from Life University. Guleryuz looks to be a big piece for the Bobcats this year, especially in 50- and 100-yard freestyles as well as in all relays.
Another sophomore from Stockholm, Eric Risland, is looking to continue the success he had as a freshman at St. Thomas. Last season, Risland broke the program record in the 50-yard butterfly split by almost a full second. Risland finished in the top ten in five different events in the NAIA National Championship last year. In the TYR Fall Classic this year, Risland will race in the 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard IM, as well as all relays.
Women's Team Preview
The women will be captained by Emma Phillips. The senior from Kentucky is in her second year with the Bobcats after transferring from Union Commonwealth University. This weekend, Phillips will be competing in the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke. She was a First Team All-American last season in the 200-yard breaststroke, in which she finished fourth in the country. Phillips looks to guide this young roster against the strongest and fastest competition they will see this year, against good NCAA Division I Mid-Majors this weekend.
Katie Gorno is back for her third season with the Bobcats as part of the Ubuntu campaign. From a little north of Traverse City, Michigan, Gorno was a Second Team All-American last season. She will be anchoring all relays this weekend in the TYR Fall Classic, and Gorno will also race in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle individually.
Transfer Melina Fix looks to start her collegiate swimming career strong this weekend. The Dunedin, Florida, native will be an important member of the medley relays and will also be competing in the 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard IM this weekend.
About the Competition
This will be some of the best competition the Bobcats will see this year, as five NCAA Division I teams and one of the best NAIA teams will be joining St. Thomas at the Doral Aquatic Center. About the TYR Fall Classic competition, Head Coach Asadi said, "This weekend will be a great first look at where we are and what we need to focus on moving forward".
On the men's side, St. Thomas will face NCAA Division I Florida Atlantic for the first time this season. The Owls enter this weekend 0-2, after losing to Indian River State College and #2 University of Florida. The Bobcats will also see fellow Sun Conference member Keiser, who are the defending NAIA National Champions. Keiser is swimming in their first meet this weekend.
On the women's side, the Bobcats will face four teams from the American Athletic Conference. In the preseason poll, Tulane was picked to finish third in the conference, Florida International was picked to finish fourth, East Carolina was picked to finish fifth, and Florida Atlantic was picked to finish seventh in the American Athletic Conference preseason poll. The Bobcats will also face Florida Gulf Coast, who finished second in the ASUN Conference Championship last season. Keiser will also compete on the women's side, who are the defending NAIA National Champions.
Event Schedule
Friday, October 2
-400 Medley Relay
-200 Freestyle
-400 IM
-100 Fly
-50 Freestyle
-100 Breast
-100 Back
-200 Free Relay
-Women 1M Diving
-Men 3M Diving
Saturday, October 3
-200 Medley Relay
-500 Freestyle
-200 Breast
-200 Back
-100 Freestyle
-200 Fly
-200 IM
-400 Free Relay
-Women 3M Diving
-Men 1M Diving
