The 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championships are set to take place from March 18 to 21 at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Defending champions Virginia are looking to repeat their success, having dominated the 200 Medley Relay last year with a time of 1:31.10. However, the team has faced challenges with graduations, particularly in the loss of key swimmers like the Walsh sisters and Parker. Despite this, Virginia remains a strong contender, with a relay capable of swimming a time within a second of their previous record. The team's success hinges on the performance of Curzan, who has slid from backstroke to butterfly, and the addition of Curtis and Greenwaldt, who have shown impressive times in their respective roles.
Louisville, seeded second in the event, is also a strong contender. The Cardinals have found the 200 Medley Relay to be a happy hunting ground, with a time of 1:32.26 at the ACCs. The team has reloaded with international talent, including Gorbenko, an Israeli Olympian and Long Course World Silver medalist. Gorbenko's breaststroke split of 25.49 at the ACCs is particularly noteworthy, ranking tied as the third-fastest split of all time. Louisville's performance at the ACCs has been a premonition of things to come, and they are hoping to emulate their meteoric rise from 2024 to 2025.
Tennessee and Michigan, both ranked amongst the top five teams, are also hoping to emulate Louisville's success. Tennessee, the SEC champions in this event, has been buoyed by the addition of Hirai, who has taken a liking to backstroke. Michigan, on the other hand, has graduated swimmers from both the first and last legs, but the addition of Sims is a game changer for the Wolverines. If Sims can equal her PB from November of 23.18, and if Letitia Sim can be closer to her 26.26 from the CSCAA Dual again than her 26.93 from Big Tens, then Michigan could be looking at a full second drop from their seed of 1:33.26.
Alabama has quietly put together a strong season, improving from 6th to 4th at the SECs. The Crimson Tide gained a key midseason addition in the form of Dutch Worlds medalist Tessa Giele. Giele's split of 22.45 at the SECs is particularly noteworthy, as it is .65 seconds faster than Jada Scott was last season at NCAAs. Alabama's 200 Medley Relay time of 1:33.63 is a near second drop from last year, and they are looking to capitalize on this momentum.
Stanford and California, both seeded in the top six, will look to replicate their performances from last season. Stanford has already been faster this year, going 1:32.94 at the ACCs, but the bad news is that that time, which would have won the silver medal, now only currently ranks 4th fastest in the nation. California, on the other hand, has slipped back two spots to find themselves seeded 6th. The team has been hit by 'swimflation', with every team getting faster at astonishing rates.
NC State, Texas, and Florida, all finished within the top 8 last year at NCAAs, but have not seemed to weather the loss of some of their relay legs as other programs have. Florida, who finished 5th at the 2025 NCAAs, has been dealt a big blow as they have lost their backstrokers. Texas, who tied for 6th with NC State at 1:34.00, has also graduated swimmers from both the first and last legs. NC State, unlike the other two programs, didn't lose any swimmers to graduation or transfer and easily upgraded at the breaststroke position.
In the end, Virginia is expected to win, with Louisville in second place. Tennessee and Michigan are also strong contenders, with Michigan having the potential to drop a full second from their seed. Stanford and California are looking to replicate their performances from last season, but may find themselves relegated out of the medals. LSU is also a dark horse contender, with the potential to have the fastest time before the final heat takes to the blocks.
