IOWA CITY, Iowa – The 2026 Swimming and Diving Championships opened with Denver sweeping the women’s events, while Denver, South Dakota, and Omaha split the three men’s events Wednesday inside the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center.
Women’s Current Standings (through two events scored)
| Place |
School |
Score |
| 1. |
Denver |
80 |
| 2. |
South Dakota |
68 |
| 3. |
Omaha |
62 |
| 4. |
St. Thomas |
60 |
| 5. |
South Dakota State |
58 |
| 6. |
Southern Indiana |
52 |
| 7. |
Eastern Illinois |
48 |
Men’s Current Standings (through three events scored)
| Place |
School |
Score |
| 1. |
Denver |
120 |
| 2. |
Omaha |
118 |
| 3. |
South Dakota |
98 |
| 4. |
Southern Indiana |
72 |
| 5. |
St. Thomas |
67 |
| 6. |
South Dakota State |
56 |
| 7. |
Eastern Illinois |
52 |
Top Performers
The Denver women secured the first swimming medal of the championship, defending its 200-yard medley relay title. The Pioneer foursome of Alison Beay, Tenaya Winter, Julia Saxman, and Isabella Cardenas touched the wall first in 1:39.18.
On the men’s side of the 200-yard medley relay, South Dakota took control to earn gold for the Coyotes. The quartet of Joaquin Contreras-Fallico, Ethan Labounty, Dylan Alt, and Nick Rounds touched the wall first in 1:25.70, finishing ahead of Denver in second and Omaha in third.
On the boards, Owen Kipp posted a score of 323.35 to earn the first gold medal of the meet in the 1-meter dive for the Mavericks. Kipp finished ahead of Denver’s Trip Gregory and Dakotah Parker to complete the podium.
Following the 1-meter dive, Denver completed a sweep of the 800-freestyle relays, retaining gold on both the men’s and women’s sides. On the women’s side, the quartet of Winter, Samantha Synsvoll, Isabella Burton, and Sabrina Rachjaibun posted a winning time of 7:17.72. The Denver men followed with a gold-medal performance, clocking 6:31.84 in the final event of the night.
To close out day one of championship action, the Denver women claimed gold in the team diving event with a score of 263.05, completing a clean sweep of the women’s competitions.
Women’s Champions Crowned
Women’s Team Diving Event: Denver | 263.05
Women's 200 Yard Medley Relay: Denver | 1:39.18
Women's 800 Yard Freestyle Relay: Denver | 7:17.72
Men’s Champions Crowned
Men's 1M dive: Owen Kipp, Omaha | 323.35
Men's 200 Yard Medley Relay: South Dakota | 1:25.70
Men's 800 Yard Freestyle Relay: Denver | 6:31.84
Up Next
The championships continue Thursday inside Campus Recreation & Wellness Center with the swimming prelims at 10 a.m. CT, diving prelims at 12:30 p.m. CT and swimming finals at 5:30 p.m. CT.
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