Seven Jayhawks Earn Record-Breaking Big 12 Postseason Honors

Lai and Feng named Big 12 Diver of the Year and Diving Coach of the Year for second straight season

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:37am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a women's swimming and diving competition, with overlapping planes of navy blue, emerald green, and gold, conveying the dynamic energy and skill of the athletes.The University of Kansas women's swimming and diving team's record-breaking performance at the Big 12 Championships showcases the program's depth of talent and coaching expertise.Lawrence Today

The University of Kansas women's swimming and diving team had a historic performance at the Big 12 Postseason Championships, with seven student-athletes earning All-Big 12 First and Second Team honors, tying the program record. Junior Shiyun Lai and diving coach Allen Feng were also named Big 12 Diver of the Year and Big 12 Diving Coach of the Year, respectively, marking the first time in program history that a diver-coach duo has won the awards in consecutive seasons.

Why it matters

The Jayhawks' strong showing at the Big 12 Championships highlights the continued growth and success of the program under head coach Clark Campbell and diving coach Allen Feng. The individual accolades for Lai and Feng demonstrate the high level of talent and coaching expertise within the program, which has helped establish Kansas as a force to be reckoned with in the Big 12 and on the national stage.

The details

Seven Kansas student-athletes earned All-Big 12 First and Second Team honors, including Lydia Lafferty, Shiyun Lai, and Lize Lukas van Leeuwen on the First Team, and Gabi Dyer, Tait Haag, Ryan Johnston, and Ivy Solt on the Second Team. Lai and Feng were also named Big 12 Diver of the Year and Big 12 Diving Coach of the Year, respectively, for the second consecutive season.

  • The Big 12 Postseason Championships were held in April 2026.
  • Lai and Feng have now won their respective awards in back-to-back seasons.

The players

Shiyun Lai

A two-time NCAA and CSCAA All-American junior diver for the University of Kansas, who was named Big 12 Diver of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Allen Feng

The diving coach for the University of Kansas, who was named Big 12 Diving Coach of the Year for the second straight year.

Clark Campbell

The head swimming coach for the University of Kansas.

Lydia Lafferty

A senior swimmer for the University of Kansas who earned All-Big 12 First Team honors.

Lize Lukas van Leeuwen

A senior swimmer for the University of Kansas who earned All-Big 12 First and Second Team honors.

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What they’re saying

“Our program is so happy for both Shiyun and Allen. Our conference is tough, and repeating as the top diver and dive coach is elite. They represent KU and the Big 12 so well at the national level. Their hard work pays off for them and all of us.”

— Clark Campbell, KU head swimming coach

“It's a great honor to be named Coach of the Year. I owe this recognition to my divers. They are the reason I love coaching and the motivation that pushes me to keep improving. I'm also truly grateful to our entire team, coaching staff, support staff and athletic department. Their dedication and support made this incredible season possible. For Shiyun, this award speaks to how exceptional she is. Her character, work ethic and dedication set the standard for our program and inspire everyone around her. This recognition is well deserved, and we couldn't be prouder of her.”

— Allen Feng, KU diving coach

What’s next

The Jayhawks will look to build on their record-breaking Big 12 performance and continue their success at the NCAA Championships later this year.

The takeaway

The University of Kansas women's swimming and diving team's historic performance at the Big 12 Postseason Championships, with multiple individual accolades, demonstrates the program's depth of talent and coaching excellence, solidifying its status as a force to be reckoned with in the conference and on the national stage.