SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Omaha diving coach Eric Sprague was named the Summit League Diving Coach of the Year after guiding the Mavericks through a dominant 2025-26 season in his 12th year with the program.

During the 2025-26 campaign, Sprague led Omaha to 26 first-place finishes, five NCAA Zone qualifying marks, five program records and five Summit League Kwik Star Peak Diver of the Week honors.

At the Summit League Championships, Sprague led the Mavericks to an individual title, a team diving championship and two All-Summit League honors.

Under his guidance, Owen Kipp was named the 2026 Summit League Championship MVP, marking the first time in program history an Omaha diver has earned the award.

"I'm very honored to receive this recognition from the Summit League," said Sprague. "Recognition like this is more of a testament to the student-athletes and what they are doing, and they have all bought in to the process of the 'Omaha Standard.' I owe a thank you to William Mueller, Owen Kipp, Brecken Moran, Stone Larson and Nathan Frette for their efforts all season. Five divers of their ability in one mid-major program is not common. This is a special group and I enjoy working with them every day."

"I also owe a thank you to our athletic director, Adrian Dowell, and our sport administrator, Lindsey Ekwerekwu, for their continued support of me and the program. There's an army of people behind the scenes that interact with our athletes and make a positive impact in their growth and development on a daily basis that allows me to spend a little more time focused on coaching and team development. Our academic advisor Logan Heiman does great work with the group. Our sport psychology group of Nedu Izuegbunam and Abi Niebrugge have been instrumental working with us throughout the season to keep everyone sharp and focused the right way. Our weights coach Brynn Suddeth keeps the group strong and ready to perform and if someone is sore or hurt our trainers Beth Thomson and Cara Self have done really well getting them back in action. With this type of support, it feels impossible to not have success."

"Lastly thanks to our assistant coach Bryce Hartman and our head coach Jessica Hessel for the support and encouragement they provide me and the divers. The culture on the Omaha Swim and Dive team the last few years have allowed this to build and develop to what it is at this point and we have a very bright future ahead of us," Sprague continued.

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