The Master’s University men’s swim team has added an Alaska state champion to its 2019-2020 recruiting class.

Raymie Matiashowski won state in the 500-yard freestyle as a junior, leading his high school to a team title in the process, and he finished second in the event as a senior.

“We are very excited to have Raymie join the men’s team,” said TMU coach Byron Davis. “He will be able to come in and immediately add value to the squad in the middle distance and distance events. Our men’s team is poised to surprise a lot of people this season.”

The Mustangs featured one male swimmer during their inaugural season in 2018-19, but that number has grown significantly this offseason, with the signing of five new recruits.

Matiashowski said he chose Master’s because of the well-rounded benefits he felt he’d receive. “I feel it’s a good environment in which I can grow spiritually, academically and athletically,” he said.

Matiashowski, whose sister, Selma, will be swimming for TMU’s women’s team, said his athletic goals are to reach the 2024 Olympics Trials and to win NAIA nationals as a senior.

In 2018-19, the Mustang women’s team made waves by qualifying two relays for NAIA nationals in the school’s first-ever swim meet, going on to qualify four relays in total and two individuals.

This season, the men’s team hopes to do the same.

The Mustangs, who primarily train at the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center, compete in the Pacific Collegiate Swimming and Diving Conference, which features Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount, among others.

Master’s has published a more robust schedule for 2019-2020 than last season.

The Mustangs open the year on Oct. 4 at the Pacific Collegiate Swimming and Diving Conference Relay Invite in La Mirada, California.

For an inside look at TMU Aquatics, visit our Instagram page: @TMUAquatics.