University of Arizona swimmer MJ Neilson sang the National Anthem before an Arizona Diamondbacks game last week, though the home team ultimately lost an exciting game 5-4 to the St. Louis Cardinals.
A star is born 🤩 an incredible performance by MJ Neilson at tonight’s Diamondbacks game! pic.twitter.com/tSdjC5IBnH
— Arizona Swim & Dive (@ArizonaSwimDive) July 18, 2026
Neilson is a rising junior for the Wildcats. She finished 5th in the 200 fly at last year’s Big 12 Championships, making her Arizona’s highest-finishing competitor in the event at that meet.
This isn’t Neilson’s first big National Anthem either. In the spring, she sang the song during the Men’s Final Four as part of a group of performers. Arizona fell in the semifinals to the eventual national champions from the University of Michigan.
Neilson, who regularly sings the anthem before Arizona sporting events, says the connection first came about when she was asked to sing at a meeting of athletics directors. She performed an Adele song, which was well-received, and the connection blossomed from there.
See her Final Four and origin stories below.
Nielson, a native of Phoenix, is the latest swimmer to be incorporated into the fanfare of the Diamondbacks. Another Phoenix resident Michael Phelps has thrown out the ceremonial first pitch at multiple Diamondbacks games.
I’m a fan. Ran into her at an age group meet a few years back when she helped some of our young swimmers out. She stepped up without needing to be asked and was such a nice young girl. At the time I remember thinking that she was a great example of what we all hope we are developing these young people into.
Didn’t know she could sing as well!
slow news week until commonwealth games on Friday?