In coming to The Master’s University, Selma Matiashowski hopes not only to improve her strokes and drop her times, but also to help reinforce the culture the Mustangs have been building.

“I want to be part of, and help form, a strong, loving team atmosphere,” said Matiashowski, whose brother, Raymie, will swim for TMU’s men’s team. “I hope to continue to work hard and encourage those around me to do so.”

Matiashowski hails from Thunder Mountain High in Juneau, Alaska, where she earned an Alaska School Activities Association good sportsman award during her senior year. Competing in the sprint events, she was also a team captain.

“Selma brings a work ethic and attitude to our women’s team that will fit nicely with our culture,” said Master’s head coach Byron Davis, who was a member of the U.S. National Team and an eight-time All-American as a swimmer at UCLA. “She has a big heart and a hunger to do well. I look forward to seeing the impact she’s going to make.”

Matiashowski said she chose Master’s because it was “centered around the Lord, and I believed my faith could flourish there.”

“Master’s was also the perfect size, and it had a swim team I could be a part of,” she said. “The location of the college is beautiful, and I hope to explore the area, especially the outdoors.”

Matiashowski was an honors student in high school and was also named to all-academic teams in both track and field and swimming.

She joins a Mustang women’s team that sent four relays and two individuals to NAIA nationals during its inaugural season in 2018-19.

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.