Get ready for an exciting dive into the world of swimming! The NCAC Championships are heating up, and records are falling!
On the third night of the 2026 NCAC Championships, held in Granville, Ohio, we witnessed an incredible display of talent and record-breaking performances. The Denison men and Kenyon women continued their dominance, but here's where it gets controversial and intriguing...
Men's Recap:
Denison's Jack Hill stole the show, breaking the NCAC meet record in the 200 free with an impressive time of 1:35.66. Hill, who holds the top time in Division III this season, is on fire! His teammate, Nick Hensel, closely followed, touching the wall in 1:37.30. But the excitement didn't stop there. Hill, along with Hensel, Cam Blevins-Mohr, and Samuel Hibbert, formed an unstoppable 200 free relay team, smashing the previous record with a time of 1:18.42. The fastest split of the field went to Hensel, who split a lightning-fast 19.13.
Blevins-Mohr also shone, claiming his own individual victory in the 100 fly with a best time of 47.57. Ben Bevill and Devin Testin dominated the 100 back, with Bevill taking the win in 48.42. Meanwhile, the Kenyon men, led by Ethan Manske, showcased their breaststroke prowess as Manske passed Denison's Luke Swiggett in the 400 IM, touching the wall first in 3:52.99.
And this is the part most people miss...
Kenyon's Noel Tumbasz, a junior, won the 100 breast in 54.42, leaving his teammate Leo Karnitz half a second behind. The Kenyon men are a force to be reckoned with!
Women's Recap:
The Kenyon women, led by the exceptional Gwen Eisenbeis, broke the NCAC meet record in the 100 backstroke. Eisenbeis touched in 54.36, breaking the previous record set by her teammate, Olivia Smith, in 2022. Eisenbeis' performance moved her up to #1 in the NCAA this season. Molly Haag continued Kenyon's winning streak, taking the 200 free in 1:49.68, just over a second ahead of her teammate, Nora Lee Brown.
Kelsey Van Eldik dominated the 100 breast for Kenyon, winning in 1:01.32. Her season's best time of 1:00.76 leads the NCAA by a significant margin. Despite Kenyon's growing lead, Denison had a remarkable night too. The highlight? The women's 200 free relay, where Olivia Morse, Phoebe Ferguson, Hailey Kaminski, and Caroline Ramirez touched just 0.07 ahead of Kenyon with a time of 1:32.43.
Ferguson's earlier performance in the 100 fly, where she posted a 55.40, was equally impressive, finishing just 0.02 behind her teammate, Jassy Park. Denison's senior, Emily Harris, claimed victory in the 400 IM with a time of 4:22.77, showcasing her speed and talent.
As we head into the final days of the NCAC Championships, the competition is fierce. Who will emerge as the ultimate champions? Will Denison close the gap, or will Kenyon maintain their lead? The stage is set for an unforgettable conclusion.
Don't forget to share your thoughts and predictions in the comments! Are you team Denison or team Kenyon? Let's discuss and celebrate the incredible talent on display!
