The 2026 NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships are well underway, and today's events have certainly lived up to the hype. With some incredible performances and unexpected twists, the second day of prelims has set the stage for an exciting finals session later tonight.
One of the most fascinating storylines so far is the dominance of NYU's women's team. Led by the exceptional Kaley McIntyre, who has already claimed her fourth straight title in the 50 free, NYU is currently holding a strong lead over Kenyon. But it's not just McIntyre's individual success; the addition of talented freshmen like Llew Ladomirak has transformed NYU's 200 free relay into a powerhouse. Their impressive time of 1:30.45 in the prelims is a testament to the depth and talent within the team.
On the men's side, Denison is firmly in the driver's seat, with a comfortable lead over Emory. Their success is built on the shoulders of athletes like George Goins, who won the 500 free last night, and Jack Hill, who is ranked first in the nation for the 200 free this season. Denison's 200 free relay team also showcased their speed, posting the top time of the morning and defending their top seed status.
The individual events have also provided some thrilling moments. In the men's 200 free, Denison's Jack Hill and Chicago's John Butler lived up to their top seed billing, advancing to the 'A' final. Hill, a junior, is looking to build on his runner-up finish last year, while Butler, a sophomore, is aiming to improve on his third-place finish as a freshman.
The women's 200 free saw Kaley McIntyre, the Division III record holder, cruise to the fastest time by over two seconds. Her consistency and dominance in this event are truly remarkable. McIntyre's teammate, Llew Ladomirak, also had a standout performance, improving her personal best by a significant margin.
In the men's 100 fly, defending champion and NCAA record holder Cooper Costello put on a clinic, coming within a tenth of his all-time mark. His blistering swim sets the tone for an exciting final later tonight.
The women's 100 fly prelims were led by Claremont Mudd-Scripps senior Madeleine Kan, who dropped a half-second off her personal best. Her swim was notably faster than the time Sydney Smith posted to win the 2025 NCAA title, highlighting the depth of talent in this event.
The men's 400 IM saw an exciting showdown between NYU teammates Maksym Nechydyuk and Conner Dean, who posted the top two times of the morning. Nechydyuk, the runner-up in last year's NCAA final, and Dean, a freshman, are set to battle it out in the final.
In the women's 400 IM, Denison senior Emily Harris claimed the top seed, just a tenth off her season-best. Harris, a top returner from last year's final, is looking to build on her third-place finish in 2025.
As we head into the finals session, the atmosphere is electric. The competition is fierce, and the stage is set for some historic performances. Personally, I can't wait to see how these athletes rise to the occasion and make their mark on Division III swimming history. It's going to be an unforgettable night!
