The University of Idaho women’s swimming and diving team popped into the Mid-Major poll at No. 25 as the college season hits its midpoint.

“To be in the same category as the Harvards and Princetons is where we want to be,” said first-year coach Mark Sowa, who also gave a nod to Mid-Major leader San Jose State and No. 14 New Mexico State of the Western Athletic Conference.

“Hopefully, it means people will take notice of what we’re doing here at Idaho.”

The Vandals are doing it with record-setting performances and personal bests throughout the ranks. While six school records have toppled so far this year, Sowa emphasized it is the strength throughout each event that powers the Vandals.

“Every person on this team matters,” Sowa said.

Spokane freshman Rachel Millet has notched Idaho records in the 50, 100 and 200 free as well as the 100 fly and as a member of the 800 freestyle relay team. Fellow freshman Erica Anderson of Moscow has the 200 individual medley and 800 freestyle relay records to her credit.

They’re not the only record holders on the roster – Calleagh Brown (Eugene, Ore.), Lyndsay Williams (Aurora, Colo.), Kaela Pettitt (Puyallup, Wash.) and Paige Hunt (Mesa, Ariz.) all have that distinction from seasons past. It’s that across-the-board talent that makes the difference, Sowa says.

“We don’t worry about rankings. What we do is focused on the day-to-day activity of getting better and improving,” he said. “Our results continue to impress but really, we’re looking at getting better every day.”