Completed Event: Women's Swimming and Diving at Oakland Golden Grizzly Classic on December 3, 2025 , , 2nd of 5
W Swimming
at Oakland Golden Grizzly Classic
2nd of 5
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Schaffer, Brunlehner awarded WAC postseason honors
3/2/2022 1:42:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Conference's top coach, freshman cap program-best finish
Grand Canyon head coach Steve Schaffer won his first WAC Coach of the Year award after leading the Lopes women to a program-best runner-up finish at last week's WAC Swimming and Diving Championships, while GCU standout Maria Brunlehner won WAC Freshman of the Year.
"It is certainly gratifying to have the recognition of one's peers," Schaffer said. "I truly believe that this award reflects the hard work of our athletes and especially of our entire coaching staff – Chris O'Linger, Scott Trompeter, Takahisa Ide, Maria Harutjunjan and Hunter Shafer. I am blessed to work with such a talented group of athletes and coaches, and this award would not be possible without their hard work and dedication."
Nine Lopes were crowned WAC champions last week in Houston. In addition, the Lopes collected five silver and four bronze medals. Schaffer coached two 2020 Tokyo Olympics Game qualifiers, Talita Te Flan and Emily Muteti. This is only the beginning of what Schaffer and his staff are building at GCU.
Brunlehner is the second Lope to win WAC Freshman of the Year in women's program history, following Hannah Kastigar in 2014-15. The Mombassa, Kenya native rewrote the record books at GCU, recording eight all-time top-10 times, in addition to contributing to four relay top times. She had an outstanding first season despite the setbacks that the year brought.
"I am very proud of Maria," Schaffer said. "She is one of those athletes that is simply a joy to coach. Maria has worked very hard and was resilient when faced with a bit of a setback due to COVID-19 in January. She didn't panic and trusted that we would help her get ready for the end of the season."
Brunlehner was crowned a conference champion in two individual events and three relays, and had a runner-up finish at the WAC Championships. She won gold in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1 minute, 1.05 seconds and the 200 individual medley with a time of 1:59.17. She also won silver in the 100 freestyle with a time of 49.41. Lastly, Brunlehner also contributed to gold medals in the 800- (7:17.68) and 400-yard freestyle relays (3:18.34). To top it off, Brunlehner was part of the 200 freestyle relay that shattered a 23-year-old conference record, posting a time of 1:30.05.
"After a great WAC Championships meet, I am excited to see how she does at the CSCAA National Invitational Championships next week," Schaffer said.
"It is certainly gratifying to have the recognition of one's peers," Schaffer said. "I truly believe that this award reflects the hard work of our athletes and especially of our entire coaching staff – Chris O'Linger, Scott Trompeter, Takahisa Ide, Maria Harutjunjan and Hunter Shafer. I am blessed to work with such a talented group of athletes and coaches, and this award would not be possible without their hard work and dedication."
Nine Lopes were crowned WAC champions last week in Houston. In addition, the Lopes collected five silver and four bronze medals. Schaffer coached two 2020 Tokyo Olympics Game qualifiers, Talita Te Flan and Emily Muteti. This is only the beginning of what Schaffer and his staff are building at GCU.
Brunlehner is the second Lope to win WAC Freshman of the Year in women's program history, following Hannah Kastigar in 2014-15. The Mombassa, Kenya native rewrote the record books at GCU, recording eight all-time top-10 times, in addition to contributing to four relay top times. She had an outstanding first season despite the setbacks that the year brought.
"I am very proud of Maria," Schaffer said. "She is one of those athletes that is simply a joy to coach. Maria has worked very hard and was resilient when faced with a bit of a setback due to COVID-19 in January. She didn't panic and trusted that we would help her get ready for the end of the season."
Brunlehner was crowned a conference champion in two individual events and three relays, and had a runner-up finish at the WAC Championships. She won gold in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1 minute, 1.05 seconds and the 200 individual medley with a time of 1:59.17. She also won silver in the 100 freestyle with a time of 49.41. Lastly, Brunlehner also contributed to gold medals in the 800- (7:17.68) and 400-yard freestyle relays (3:18.34). To top it off, Brunlehner was part of the 200 freestyle relay that shattered a 23-year-old conference record, posting a time of 1:30.05.
"After a great WAC Championships meet, I am excited to see how she does at the CSCAA National Invitational Championships next week," Schaffer said.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Monday, July 27
Monday, July 27
Wednesday, July 22
Saturday, July 18