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Liberty Swimming & Diving Travels to American Conference Championship
2/17/2026 4:01:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving
LYNCHBURG, Va. - Conference newcomer Liberty is set to compete at the 2026 American Conference Women's Swimming & Diving Championship, held Wednesday through Saturday at Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, N.C. The Lady Flames will be aiming for their eighth conference championship in a row.
Liberty won six total CCSA titles, including each of the last five in a row (2019-23) before claiming ASUN championships in both 2024 and 2025. The nine women's swimming & diving programs in American Conference are Liberty, East Carolina, FAU, FIU, James Madison, Marshall, North Texas, Rice and Tulane.
Liberty's seven straight conference titles are the sixth longest active conference championship streak in Division I women's swimming & diving. Texas (Big 12/SEC) and Navy (Patriot League) have won 13 conference titles in a row, while Villanova (BIG EAST), Oakland (Horizon League) and Denver (Summit League) have all won 12 straight.
Liberty, James Madison and Marshall all joined the American Athletic Conference as affiliate members in women's swimming & diving on July 1, 2025. Liberty (ASUN) and James Madison (Sun Belt) both won their respective conference championships last year.
The 2026 American Conference Swimming & Diving Championship will feature four full days of action.
How to Follow the Lady Flames
Live results will be available for all events at the 2026 American Conference Swimming & Diving Championships. Also, live video streaming will be available through ESPN+. Fans can receive X updates by following @LibertyFlames and @LibertyDiveSwim.
Pre-Championship Coaches Poll
15th-year Head Coach Jake Shellenberger has led the Lady Flames from the program's inception. He has posted a 142-40 dual-meet record, being named CCSA Women's Swimming Coach of the Year five times (2012, 2014, 2019, 2022, 2023). Shellenberger was then named ASUN Women's Swimming Coach of the Year in both 2024 and 2025.
Last year at the ASUN Championships, the Lady Flames registered 26 podium finishes and 13 event victories. The Lady Flames set eight program records, five meet records and five conference records, while earning 10 NCAA B cuts and four NCAA Zone Qualifying scores.
Liberty's Shannon Icard has earned NCAA Zone Qualifying scores one-meter, three-meter and platform so far this season. Mercy Goodnight has qualified for Zones on three-meter.
New this season, anyone who wins an individual event at their conference meet and meets the NCAA qualifying time in that event will receive automatic qualification to the 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Swimming & Diving Championships.
The American Conference has four scored diving events, in one-meter, three-meter, platform and team diving event.
A total of six current Lady Flames have posted conference podium finishes in their career, led by six medals from Kamryn Cannings. Aly Bozzuto (3), Shannon Icard (3), Eden Troxell (3), Malia Francis (2), and Emily Harstad (1) have all podiumed as well.
Current Lady Flame with Program Records
50 Freestyle – Kamryn Cannings (22.07 – 2/19/25)
100 Freestyle – Kamryn Cannings (48.45 – 2/22/25)
200 Freestyle – Kamryn Cannings (1:44.10 – 2/21/25)
100 Butterfly – Kamryn Cannings (51.26 – 3/17/28)
100 Breaststroke – Aly Bozzuto (59.17 – 2/21/25)
200 Breaststroke – Aly Bozzuto (2:11.21 – 11/23.25)
100 Individual Medley – Gwyneth Frick (56.58 – 9/26/25)
Platform Diving (5) – Shannon Icard (261.00 – 2/23/24)
As was the case last year, many records and lifetime-best times should be expected, as the team has aimed to peak at the conference championships.
An event-by-event preview of individual events follows. Please note that the entries listed are those which appear on the pre-scratch psych sheet and are subject to change.
A look at the psych sheet shows that Liberty, Rice and FIU should be top competitors in most events.
2026 American Conference Championship
February 18-21
Greensboro Aquatic Center
Greensboro, N.C.
Schedule of Events
Day 1 – Trials (10:30 a.m.)
500-yard Freestyle
200-yard Individual Medley
50-yard Freestyle
Day 1 – Finals (6 p.m.)
200-yard Medley Relay "A
500-yard Freestyle
200-yard Individual Medley
50-yard Freestyle
Team Diving Event
Day 2 – Trials (10:30 a.m.)
400-yard Individual Medley
100-yard Butterfly
200-yard Freestyle
1-meter diving (11 a.m.)
Day 2 – Finals (6 p.m.)
1-meter diving consolation final (5 p.m.)
200-yard Freestyle Relay "A"
400-yard Individual Medley
100-yard Butterfly
200-yard Freestyle
1-meter diving A Final
400-yard Medley Relay "A"
Day 3 – Trials (10:30 a.m.)
100-yard backstroke
100-yard breaststroke
200-yard butterfly
3-meter diving (11 a.m.)
Day 3 – Finals (6 p.m.)
3-meter diving consolation final (5 p.m.)
800-yard Freestyle Relay "A"
3-meter diving A Final
100-yard backstroke
100-yard breaststroke
200-yard butterfly
Day 4 – Trials (10:30 a.m.)
100-yard Freestyle
200-yard Backstroke
200-yard Breaststroke
Platform diving (11 a.m.)
1,650-yard Freestyle-All but last heat of time finals
Day 4 – Finals (6 p.m.)
1,650-yard Freestyle-Last heat of time finals
100-yard Freestyle
200-yard Backstroke
200-yard Breaststroke
Platform diving finals
400-yard Freestyle Relay "A"
Scoring
There will be three scored finals (A, B & C) of each individual event at the women's American Conference Championship. A total of 24 individuals will score in each event, with three finals consisting of eight swimmers each.
Individual events will be scored as follows: 32-28-27-26-25-24-23-22-20-17-16-15-14-13-12-11-9-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
Relay events will be scored as follows: 64-56-54-52-50-48-46-44-40-34-32-30-28-26-24-22-18-14-12-10-8-6-4-2
Day 1 – Feb. 21, 2024
500-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Ava Portello (Rice) – 4:44.06
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Portello (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Zarena Brown (Houston), 2020 – 4:41.89
2025-26 Leader: Ava Portello (Rice) – 4:41.79
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Two (Emily Manly – 2019; Emma Hazel – 2022)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Emma Herrera – 4:54.38 (10th)
Liberty Entrants: Emma Herrera, Eden Troxell, Natalie Colarossi, Layne Jones, Kaycee Cannings
Outlook: 2025 AAC Freshman of the Year Ava Portello returns to defend her 500 freestyle title, as she won last year in 4:44.06. Portello is the top seed this year in 4:41.79, Rice took four of the top five spots in the 500 last year, with runner-up Lisa Coetzee of Tulane breaking up the Owls' pack. Rice's Ella Dyson is ranked second this week (4:47.03), followed by Coetzee (4:48.32), Ava Hamblett of Rice (4:50.27) and FAU's Talitha McEwan (4:51.10). Liberty's Eden Troxell finished third in the 500 freestyle at the 2025 ASUN Championships, while freshman Emma Herrera (4:54.38) is Liberty's top seed this week at 10th.
200-yard Individual Medley
Defending Champion: Nicole Frank (FIU) – 1:57.42
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Nicole Frank (FIU) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Tanja Kylliainen (Louisville), 2014 – 1:56.34
2025-26 Leader: Reese Cole (Rice) – 1:59.73
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Five (Emilie Kaufman – 2014; Prudence Rooker – 2018; Mikayla Herich – 2019 and 2020; Chloe Harris - 2023)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Gwyneth Frick – 1:59.77 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Gwyneth Frick, Malia Francis, Riley Leach, Sadie Stricklin, Karis Francis, Margot Ritchie
Outlook: While last year's 200 IM champion, FIU's Nicole Frank, returns, she is ranked fourth this week with a time of 2:00.74. The top seed is Rice's Reese Cole (1:59.73), who finished third last season. Freshman Gwyneth Frick of Liberty is close behind Colle with a time of 1:59.77. Marshall's Molly Warner (2:00.39) is seeded third after finishing as Sun Belt runner-up in the 200 IM last season. After Frank in fourth, Tulane's Andrea Zeebe (2:00.84) and Gwen Shahboz (2:01.56) are seeded fifth and sixth, respectively.
50-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Catherine Russo (Tulane) – 22.20
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Mikayla Durkin (ECU) (5th place)
Championship Meet Record: Jacqueline Keire (Cincinnati), 2017 – 22.19
2025-26 Leader: Eliza Lennox (Tulane) – 22.42
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Two (Brye Ravettine – 2012; Kamryn Cannings - 2025)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Aly Bozzuto – 22.44 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Aly Bozzuto, Kamryn Cannings, Sadie Huenefeld, Dakota Howard, Faith Forsberg, Carly Larson, Kalina Frick, Sarah Fleury, Emma Harstad
Outlook: Although each of the top four finishers from the 50 free at last year's American Conference Championships have graduated, this appears to be a fast field, as nine conference swimmers have broken 23 seconds this season. Tulane freshman Eliza Lennox (22.42) has the fastest time, followed by Liberty's Aly Bozzuto (22.44) and Kamryn Cannings (22.64). Cannings won the 2025 ASUN 50 free in 22.07, with Bozzuto taking second in 22.09. Last year's Sun Belt 50 free champion Jamie Cornwell of James Madison is fourth seed this year in 22.74. FIU's Tawannah McLemore (22.81) holds the fifth seed, followed by Izzy Jones of FAU (22.82) and FIU's Diana Santamaria Losada (22.84).
Day 2 – Feb. 22, 2024
400-yard Individual Medley
Defending Champion: Nicole Frank (FIU) – 4:12.23
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Nicole Frank (FIU) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Tanja Kylliainen (Louisville), 2014 – 4:04.96
2025-26 Leader: Nicole Frank (FIU) – 4:12.85
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Three (Gianni Pitto – 2019; Mikayla Herich – 2020; Grace Isaacs - 2022)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Riley Leach – 4:21.80 (11th)
Liberty Entrants: Riley Leach, Eden Troxell
Outlook: FIU's Nicole Frank is back after winning both the 200 IM and 400 IM at the 2025 American Conference Championships. Frank is the top seed at 4:12.85, followed by Reese Cole of Rice (4:13.86) and Marshall's Molly Warner (4:17.83). JMU's Maddy Coombs (4:18.44), Tulane's Andrea Zeebe (4:18.70) and Gwen Shahboz (4:18.82) are remaining swimmers who have gone under 4:19 this season. Last year's third-place finisher, Rice's Lily Cramer, is seeded 10th, while Liberty freshman Riley Leach is 11th at 4:21.80.
100-yard Butterfly
Defending Champion: Arielle Hayon (Rice) – 52.30 (Three in a row)
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Oumy Diop (FIU) (3rd place)
Championship Meet Record: Arielle Hayon (Rice), 2024 – 51.38
2025-26 Leader: Kamryn Cannings (Liberty) – 52.44
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Five (Bethany Wakeley – 2012; Jess Reinhardt – 2013-14; Kamryn Cannings – 2024-25)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Kamryn Cannings – 52.44 (1st)
Liberty Entrants: Kamryn Cannings, Carly Larson, Emily Harstad, Sarah Fleury, Kaline Frick
Outlook: Arielle Hayon of Rice graduated after winning three straight 100 fly titles at the American Conference Championships. Liberty's Kamryn Cannings has won each of the last two ASUN titles in the 100 fly and is this year's top seed at 52.44. Her lifetime-best 51.26 is faster than the current American Conference meet record. FIU's Pauline Zeller is seeded second at 52.65, while Rice's Lily Archibald is third at 53.11. Last year's third-place finisher, Oumy Diop of FIU, holds the fourth seed in 53.70, while Eliza Lennox of Tulane (53.96) is the last of five American Conference swimmers to break 54 in the 100 fly this season.
200-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Maya Wilson (Tulane) – 1:46.04
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Lise Coetzee (Tulane) and Ava Portello (Rice) (tied for 2nd place)
Championship Meet Record: Jacqueline Keire (Cincinnati), 2017 – 1:43.48
2025-26 Leader: Ava Portello (Rice) – 1:47.42
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Five (Emily Zimcosky – 2019; Eva Suggs – 2020, 2021 and 2022; Sydney Stricklin – 2025)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Natalie Colarossi – 1:49.85 (9th)
Liberty Entrants: Natalie Colarossi, Emma Herrera, Sadie Huenefeld, Faith Forsberg, Kaycee Cannings,
Outlook: Last year, Rice freshman Ava Portello and Tulane freshman Lise Coetzee tied for second in the American 200 freestyle A Final. This season, Portello (1:47.42) is seeded first and Coetzee (1:47.67), second. Liberty's Kamryn Cannings swam 1:47.74 earlier this season and has a lifetime-best of 1:44.10, but is focusing on other events this weekend. Rafa Smuda of Tulane holds the third seed at 1:48.29, followed by Rice's Avery Karacz (1:48.75) and Madison Wimmer of JMU (1:48.75). Natalie Colarossi of Liberty is seeded ninth (1:49.85) after finishing eighth in the ASUN 200 free A Final as a freshman last season.
1-Meter Diving
Defending Champion: Kamryn Wong (North Texas) – 310.90
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Kamryn Wong (North Texas) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Paige Burrell (FIU), 2024 – 316.90
2025-26 Leader: Frida Zuniga Guzman (East Carolina) – 313.05
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Five (Lauren Chennault – 2020; Maddie Freece – 2021, 2022; Mary Herndon – 2024; Shannon Icard – 2025)
Liberty's Top Entry: Chloe LaCount – 267.15 (11th)
Liberty Entrants: Shannon Icard, Chloe LaCount, Mercy Goodnight, Savannah Watts, Elizabeth Mumau, Kayla Walsh, Tayler Curlee, Rachel Laraio
Outlook: Last year's top three finishers in the American Conference one-meter A Final (1st place – Kamryn Wong (North Texas); 2nd place – Sydney Guidara (North Texas); 3rd place –
Frida Zuniga Guzman (East Carolina)) return this season. Joining them is 2025 ASUN champion Shannon Icard from Liberty. Zuniga Guzman is the top seed at 313.05, followed by teammate Cecilia Bragantini (304.43) and North Texas' Guidara (301.95). Antonia Harned of Rice holds the fourth seed (288.60), followed by Wong (283.55). Liberty's Shannon Icard is seeded 12th at 267.15.
Day 3 – Feb. 23, 2024
100-yard Backstroke
Defending Champion: Diana Santamaria (FIU) – 53.74
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Diana Sanatamaria (FIU) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Laura Laderoute (Houston), 2020 – 52.61
2025-26 Leader: Kseniia Luniushina (Marshall) – 52.59
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Eight (Brittany Weiss – 2017 and 2018; Payton Keiner – 2019, 2020 and 2021; Abbie Shaw – 2022, 2023 and 2024)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Gwyneth Frick – 52.97 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Gwyneth Frick, Dakota Howard, Malia Francis, Margot Ritchie, Sadie Stricklin,
Outlook: 2025 Sun Belt 100 backstroke champion Kseniia Luniushina of Marshall is this year's top seed in the American 100 back in 52.59. Liberty freshman Gwyneth Frick (52.97) holds the second seed, while ECU's Carlie Clements (53.18) is third. Last year's champion in this event at the American Conference meet, Diana Santamaria of FIU, is seeded fourth this week in 53.64. Tulane's Andrea Zeebe (53.91), last year's runner-up to Sanatamaria, is seeded fifth, while Liberty freshman Dakota Howard (54.20) is eighth.
100-yard Breaststroke
Defending Champion: Emma Becker (FIU) – 59.02
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Ingrid Huszar (FIU) (3rd place)
Championship Meet Record: Emma Becker (FIU), 2025 – 59.02
2025-26 Leader: Frida Loebersli (FIU) – 59.52
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Three (Laura Day – 2013; Emilie Kaufman – 2014; Aly Bozzuto - 2015)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Aly Bozzuto – 1:00.26 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Aly Bozzuto, Karis Francis
Outlook: Despite graduating the meet record holder in this event, FIU maintains the top seed with Frida Loebersli (59.52). Liberty's Aly Bozzuto won the 2025 ASUN 100 breaststroke title in a program-record 59.17. Bozzuto holds the second seed at 1:00.26, although Bozzuto topped Loebersli in this event at a dual meet this past fall. Rice's Reese Cole is seeded third at 1:00.99, followed by FAU's duo of Bilu Bianchi (1:01.01) and Maja Piotrowicz (1:01.32). The 2025 Sun Belt 100 breaststroke champion, Riley Bridgman of JMU, holds the 30th best time at 1:05.53.
200-yard Butterfly
Defending Champion: Arielle Hayon (Rice) – 1:57.63
Top Returnee from 2024 Meet (Place): Varvara Gkiouzepa (Tulane) (4th place)
Championship Meet Record: Tanja Kylliainen (Louisville), 2014 – 1:53.94
2025-26 Leader: Lauren McNamara (Marshall) – 1:58.35
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Nine (Jess Reinhardt – 2013 and 2014; Alicia Finnigan – 2017, 2018 and 2019; Lindsey Cohee – 2020 and 2021; Chloe Harris – 2022; Kamryn Cannings – 2024)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Riley Leach – 2:00.31 (5th)
Liberty Entrants: Riley Leach, Emily Harstad, Emma Herrera,
Outlook: Each of the top three finishers in last year's American Conference 200 fly has graduated. 2025 Sun Belt 200 fly champion, Lauren McNamara of Marshall, is this year's top seed in the American Conference in 1:58.35. Rice's Reese Cole (1:58.90) is seeded second, followed by ECU's Tanith Mueller (1:58.94) and Lily Archibald of Rice (1:59.98). Liberty freshman Riley Leach holds the fifth seed (2:00.31).
3-Meter Diving
Defending Champion: Kamryn Wong (North Texas) – 338.20
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Kamryn Won (North Texas) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Frida Zuniga Guzman (ECU), 2024 – 352.80
2025-26 Leader: Frida Zuniga Guzman (East Carolina) – 382.05
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Three (Maddie Freece – 2021, 2024; Shannon Icard – 2025)
Liberty's Top Entry: Mercy Goodnight – 294.40 (6th)
Liberty Entrants: Mercy Goodnight, Shannon, Icard, Kayla Walsh, Chloe LaCount, Savannah Watts, Tayler Curlee, Elizabeth Mumau, Rachel Laraio
Outlook: Kamryn Wong of North Texas doubled by winning both the one-meter and three-meter at the 2025 American Conference Championships. ECU's Frida Zuniga Guzman earned a Gold (platform), silver (three-meter) and bronze (one-meter) in diving last year. Liberty's Shannon Icard won both the one-meter and three-meter at the 2025 ASUN Championships. Zuniga Guzman is the top seed at 382.05, followed by Wong (350.25) and Rice's Antonina Harned (326.70). Kristina Keenan of FIU is seeded fourth (310.43), while Sydney Guidara of North Texas is fifth at 301.50. Liberty's top seed is Mercy Goodnight in sixth at 294.40, while Icard is 11th in 286.30.
Day 4 – Feb. 24, 2024
1,650-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Ella Dyson (Rice) – 16:20.26 (Three in a row)
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Ella Dyson (Rice) (Champion
Championship Meet Record: Kristen Stege (ECU), 2020 – 16:11.96
2025-26 Leader: Ella Dyson (Rice) – 16:22.18
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Four (Delia Weber – 2017; Mikayla Herich – 2019 and 2020; Eden Troxell – 2025)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Eden Troxell – 16:53.33 (6th)
Liberty Entrants: Eden Troxell, Layne Jones, Kaycee Cannings,
Outlook: Rice's Ella Dyson has won each of the last three American Conference 1650 freestyle titles and has the top seed by over four seconds this year at 16:22.18. Rice holds each of the top three seeds in the mile. Last year's runner-up, Ava Portello (16:26.29) and Ava Hamblett (16:46.28) are seeded second and third in that order. Marshall's Maddie Emment is seeded fourth in 16:48.51, followed by Tulane's Lise Coetzee (16:50.36). Liberty's Eden Troxell, last year's ASUN champion in this event, holds the sixth seed at 16:53.33.
100-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Maya Wilson (Tulane) – 48.52
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Diana Santamaria (FIU) (4th place)
Championship Meet Record: Jacqueline Keire (Cincinnati), 2017 – 47.95
2025-26 Leader: Eliza Lennox (Tulane) – 49.03
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Four (Brye Ravettine – 2012; Brittany Weiss – 2020; Sydney Stricklin – 2022; Kamryn Cannings – 2025)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Kamryn Cannings – 49.77 (4th)
Liberty Entrants: Kamryn Cannings, Dakota Howard, Natalie Colarossi, Sadie Huenefeld, Carly Larson, Faith Forsberg, Kaycee Cannings, Kalina Frick, Sarah Fleury,
Outlook: While a pair of 2025 100 freestyle conference champions is in this year's American Conference Championships, Tulane freshman Eliza Lennox holds the top seed at 49.03. 2025 Sun Belt 100 champion Jamie Cornwell of James Madison is seeded second in 49.17, followed by Marshall's Elyse Wood (49.61). Liberty's Kamryn Cannings is the fourth seed (49.77). Cannings won the 100 free at the 2025 ASUN Championships in 48.45. FIU's Diana Santamaria (49.90) and Oumy Diop (49.91) are seeded fifth and sixth, respectively.
200-yard Backstroke
Defending Champion: Ava Hamblett (Rice) – 1:55.81
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Ava Hamblett (Rice) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Matea Samardzic (SMU) – 1:52.69
2025-26 Leader: Gwyneth Frick (Liberty) – 1:56.10
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Eight (Payton Keiner – 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; Abbie Shaw – 2022, 2023 and 2024; Malia Francis – 2025)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Gwyneth Frick – 1:56.10 (1st)
Liberty Entrants: Gwyneth Frick, Malia Francis, Sadie Stricklin, Margot Ritchie, Layne Jones
Outlook: Liberty has won the last eight conference 200 backstroke titles in a row. Despite each of last year's American Conference podium finishers return, Liberty has the top two seeds in freshman Gwyneth Frick (1:56.10) and 2025 ASUN co-champion Malia Francis (1:57.06). Last year's American champion, Ava Hamblett of Rice, is seeded sixth (1:57.83), while 2025 AAC runner-up Meg Drover-Smith of FAU holds the third seed in 1:57.30. FIU's Claudia Frasca of FIU is seeded fourth (1:57.54), followed by ECU's Elena Dinehart (1:57.58). 2025 Sun Belt 200 back gold medalist Kseniia Luniushina of Marshall holds the ninth seed at 1:58.36.
200-yard Breaststroke
Defending Champion: Nicole Frank (FIU) – 2:10.49
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Nicole Frank (FIU) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Christie Chue (FIU), 2024 – 2:07.99
2025-26 Leader: Aly Bozzuto (Liberty) – 2:11.21
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Three (Emilie Kaufman – 2013 and 2014; Aly Bozzuto – 2025)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Aly Bozzuto – 2:11.21 (1st)
Liberty Entrants: Aly Bozzuto, Karis Francis,
Outlook: Defending American Conference 200 breaststroke champion Nicole Frank of FIU is seeded third in 2:12.87 this season. 2025 ASUN champion Aly Bozzuto holds the top seed with a program-record 2:11.21. Bozzuto defeated Frank head-to-head in this event in a dual meet at FIU in the fall. FAU's Nula Gow (2:12.85) is seeded third. Reese Cole of Rice holds the fourth seed at 2:13.20, followed by FAU's Bilu Bianchi (2:13.64).. 2025 Sun Belt 200 breaststroke champion Riley Bridgman of JMU has the 27th best time in 2:20.59.
Platform Diving
Defending Champion: Frida Zuniga Guzman (ECU), 2025 – 310.08
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Frida Zuniga Guzman (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Frida Zuniga Guzman (ECU), 2025 – 310.08
2025-26 Leader: Kristina Keenan (FIU) – 247.30
Liberty Event Titles (Last):
Liberty's Top Entry: Shannon Icard – 242.40 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Shannon Icard, Savannah Watts, Tayler Curlee, Mercy Goodnight, Chloe LaCount, Elizabeth Mumau, Rachel Laraio, Kayla Walsh
Outlook: Defending American Conference champion Frida Zuniga Guzman of East Carolina set the championship record on platform last year. Liberty's Shannon Icard qualified for the 2025 NCAA Zone Championships on platform, winning the exhibition platform diving event at the 2025 ASUN Championships. FIU returns the divers who finished second (Brooke Megdall), third (Kristina Keenan) and fourth (Ruska Lehtonen) on platform at the 2025 American Championships. Keenan is the top seed at 247.30, with Icard (242.40) being second. Rice has the third (Antonina Harned – 234.45) and fourth (Morgan Robson – 221.35) seed, while Liberty's Savannah Watts (220.50) is fifth.
Liberty won six total CCSA titles, including each of the last five in a row (2019-23) before claiming ASUN championships in both 2024 and 2025. The nine women's swimming & diving programs in American Conference are Liberty, East Carolina, FAU, FIU, James Madison, Marshall, North Texas, Rice and Tulane.
Liberty's seven straight conference titles are the sixth longest active conference championship streak in Division I women's swimming & diving. Texas (Big 12/SEC) and Navy (Patriot League) have won 13 conference titles in a row, while Villanova (BIG EAST), Oakland (Horizon League) and Denver (Summit League) have all won 12 straight.
Liberty, James Madison and Marshall all joined the American Athletic Conference as affiliate members in women's swimming & diving on July 1, 2025. Liberty (ASUN) and James Madison (Sun Belt) both won their respective conference championships last year.
The 2026 American Conference Swimming & Diving Championship will feature four full days of action.
How to Follow the Lady Flames
Live results will be available for all events at the 2026 American Conference Swimming & Diving Championships. Also, live video streaming will be available through ESPN+. Fans can receive X updates by following @LibertyFlames and @LibertyDiveSwim.
Pre-Championship Coaches Poll
- Rice (6) 62
- Liberty (3) 58
- FIU 49
- Tulane 43
- FAU 29
- Marshall 27
- East Carolina 24
- James Madison 23
- North Texas 9
15th-year Head Coach Jake Shellenberger has led the Lady Flames from the program's inception. He has posted a 142-40 dual-meet record, being named CCSA Women's Swimming Coach of the Year five times (2012, 2014, 2019, 2022, 2023). Shellenberger was then named ASUN Women's Swimming Coach of the Year in both 2024 and 2025.
Last year at the ASUN Championships, the Lady Flames registered 26 podium finishes and 13 event victories. The Lady Flames set eight program records, five meet records and five conference records, while earning 10 NCAA B cuts and four NCAA Zone Qualifying scores.
Liberty's Shannon Icard has earned NCAA Zone Qualifying scores one-meter, three-meter and platform so far this season. Mercy Goodnight has qualified for Zones on three-meter.
New this season, anyone who wins an individual event at their conference meet and meets the NCAA qualifying time in that event will receive automatic qualification to the 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Swimming & Diving Championships.
The American Conference has four scored diving events, in one-meter, three-meter, platform and team diving event.
A total of six current Lady Flames have posted conference podium finishes in their career, led by six medals from Kamryn Cannings. Aly Bozzuto (3), Shannon Icard (3), Eden Troxell (3), Malia Francis (2), and Emily Harstad (1) have all podiumed as well.
Current Lady Flame with Program Records
50 Freestyle – Kamryn Cannings (22.07 – 2/19/25)
100 Freestyle – Kamryn Cannings (48.45 – 2/22/25)
200 Freestyle – Kamryn Cannings (1:44.10 – 2/21/25)
100 Butterfly – Kamryn Cannings (51.26 – 3/17/28)
100 Breaststroke – Aly Bozzuto (59.17 – 2/21/25)
200 Breaststroke – Aly Bozzuto (2:11.21 – 11/23.25)
100 Individual Medley – Gwyneth Frick (56.58 – 9/26/25)
Platform Diving (5) – Shannon Icard (261.00 – 2/23/24)
As was the case last year, many records and lifetime-best times should be expected, as the team has aimed to peak at the conference championships.
An event-by-event preview of individual events follows. Please note that the entries listed are those which appear on the pre-scratch psych sheet and are subject to change.
A look at the psych sheet shows that Liberty, Rice and FIU should be top competitors in most events.
2026 American Conference Championship
February 18-21
Greensboro Aquatic Center
Greensboro, N.C.
Schedule of Events
Day 1 – Trials (10:30 a.m.)
500-yard Freestyle
200-yard Individual Medley
50-yard Freestyle
Day 1 – Finals (6 p.m.)
200-yard Medley Relay "A
500-yard Freestyle
200-yard Individual Medley
50-yard Freestyle
Team Diving Event
Day 2 – Trials (10:30 a.m.)
400-yard Individual Medley
100-yard Butterfly
200-yard Freestyle
1-meter diving (11 a.m.)
Day 2 – Finals (6 p.m.)
1-meter diving consolation final (5 p.m.)
200-yard Freestyle Relay "A"
400-yard Individual Medley
100-yard Butterfly
200-yard Freestyle
1-meter diving A Final
400-yard Medley Relay "A"
Day 3 – Trials (10:30 a.m.)
100-yard backstroke
100-yard breaststroke
200-yard butterfly
3-meter diving (11 a.m.)
Day 3 – Finals (6 p.m.)
3-meter diving consolation final (5 p.m.)
800-yard Freestyle Relay "A"
3-meter diving A Final
100-yard backstroke
100-yard breaststroke
200-yard butterfly
Day 4 – Trials (10:30 a.m.)
100-yard Freestyle
200-yard Backstroke
200-yard Breaststroke
Platform diving (11 a.m.)
1,650-yard Freestyle-All but last heat of time finals
Day 4 – Finals (6 p.m.)
1,650-yard Freestyle-Last heat of time finals
100-yard Freestyle
200-yard Backstroke
200-yard Breaststroke
Platform diving finals
400-yard Freestyle Relay "A"
Scoring
There will be three scored finals (A, B & C) of each individual event at the women's American Conference Championship. A total of 24 individuals will score in each event, with three finals consisting of eight swimmers each.
Individual events will be scored as follows: 32-28-27-26-25-24-23-22-20-17-16-15-14-13-12-11-9-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
Relay events will be scored as follows: 64-56-54-52-50-48-46-44-40-34-32-30-28-26-24-22-18-14-12-10-8-6-4-2
Day 1 – Feb. 21, 2024
500-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Ava Portello (Rice) – 4:44.06
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Portello (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Zarena Brown (Houston), 2020 – 4:41.89
2025-26 Leader: Ava Portello (Rice) – 4:41.79
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Two (Emily Manly – 2019; Emma Hazel – 2022)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Emma Herrera – 4:54.38 (10th)
Liberty Entrants: Emma Herrera, Eden Troxell, Natalie Colarossi, Layne Jones, Kaycee Cannings
Outlook: 2025 AAC Freshman of the Year Ava Portello returns to defend her 500 freestyle title, as she won last year in 4:44.06. Portello is the top seed this year in 4:41.79, Rice took four of the top five spots in the 500 last year, with runner-up Lisa Coetzee of Tulane breaking up the Owls' pack. Rice's Ella Dyson is ranked second this week (4:47.03), followed by Coetzee (4:48.32), Ava Hamblett of Rice (4:50.27) and FAU's Talitha McEwan (4:51.10). Liberty's Eden Troxell finished third in the 500 freestyle at the 2025 ASUN Championships, while freshman Emma Herrera (4:54.38) is Liberty's top seed this week at 10th.
200-yard Individual Medley
Defending Champion: Nicole Frank (FIU) – 1:57.42
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Nicole Frank (FIU) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Tanja Kylliainen (Louisville), 2014 – 1:56.34
2025-26 Leader: Reese Cole (Rice) – 1:59.73
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Five (Emilie Kaufman – 2014; Prudence Rooker – 2018; Mikayla Herich – 2019 and 2020; Chloe Harris - 2023)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Gwyneth Frick – 1:59.77 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Gwyneth Frick, Malia Francis, Riley Leach, Sadie Stricklin, Karis Francis, Margot Ritchie
Outlook: While last year's 200 IM champion, FIU's Nicole Frank, returns, she is ranked fourth this week with a time of 2:00.74. The top seed is Rice's Reese Cole (1:59.73), who finished third last season. Freshman Gwyneth Frick of Liberty is close behind Colle with a time of 1:59.77. Marshall's Molly Warner (2:00.39) is seeded third after finishing as Sun Belt runner-up in the 200 IM last season. After Frank in fourth, Tulane's Andrea Zeebe (2:00.84) and Gwen Shahboz (2:01.56) are seeded fifth and sixth, respectively.
50-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Catherine Russo (Tulane) – 22.20
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Mikayla Durkin (ECU) (5th place)
Championship Meet Record: Jacqueline Keire (Cincinnati), 2017 – 22.19
2025-26 Leader: Eliza Lennox (Tulane) – 22.42
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Two (Brye Ravettine – 2012; Kamryn Cannings - 2025)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Aly Bozzuto – 22.44 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Aly Bozzuto, Kamryn Cannings, Sadie Huenefeld, Dakota Howard, Faith Forsberg, Carly Larson, Kalina Frick, Sarah Fleury, Emma Harstad
Outlook: Although each of the top four finishers from the 50 free at last year's American Conference Championships have graduated, this appears to be a fast field, as nine conference swimmers have broken 23 seconds this season. Tulane freshman Eliza Lennox (22.42) has the fastest time, followed by Liberty's Aly Bozzuto (22.44) and Kamryn Cannings (22.64). Cannings won the 2025 ASUN 50 free in 22.07, with Bozzuto taking second in 22.09. Last year's Sun Belt 50 free champion Jamie Cornwell of James Madison is fourth seed this year in 22.74. FIU's Tawannah McLemore (22.81) holds the fifth seed, followed by Izzy Jones of FAU (22.82) and FIU's Diana Santamaria Losada (22.84).
Day 2 – Feb. 22, 2024
400-yard Individual Medley
Defending Champion: Nicole Frank (FIU) – 4:12.23
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Nicole Frank (FIU) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Tanja Kylliainen (Louisville), 2014 – 4:04.96
2025-26 Leader: Nicole Frank (FIU) – 4:12.85
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Three (Gianni Pitto – 2019; Mikayla Herich – 2020; Grace Isaacs - 2022)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Riley Leach – 4:21.80 (11th)
Liberty Entrants: Riley Leach, Eden Troxell
Outlook: FIU's Nicole Frank is back after winning both the 200 IM and 400 IM at the 2025 American Conference Championships. Frank is the top seed at 4:12.85, followed by Reese Cole of Rice (4:13.86) and Marshall's Molly Warner (4:17.83). JMU's Maddy Coombs (4:18.44), Tulane's Andrea Zeebe (4:18.70) and Gwen Shahboz (4:18.82) are remaining swimmers who have gone under 4:19 this season. Last year's third-place finisher, Rice's Lily Cramer, is seeded 10th, while Liberty freshman Riley Leach is 11th at 4:21.80.
100-yard Butterfly
Defending Champion: Arielle Hayon (Rice) – 52.30 (Three in a row)
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Oumy Diop (FIU) (3rd place)
Championship Meet Record: Arielle Hayon (Rice), 2024 – 51.38
2025-26 Leader: Kamryn Cannings (Liberty) – 52.44
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Five (Bethany Wakeley – 2012; Jess Reinhardt – 2013-14; Kamryn Cannings – 2024-25)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Kamryn Cannings – 52.44 (1st)
Liberty Entrants: Kamryn Cannings, Carly Larson, Emily Harstad, Sarah Fleury, Kaline Frick
Outlook: Arielle Hayon of Rice graduated after winning three straight 100 fly titles at the American Conference Championships. Liberty's Kamryn Cannings has won each of the last two ASUN titles in the 100 fly and is this year's top seed at 52.44. Her lifetime-best 51.26 is faster than the current American Conference meet record. FIU's Pauline Zeller is seeded second at 52.65, while Rice's Lily Archibald is third at 53.11. Last year's third-place finisher, Oumy Diop of FIU, holds the fourth seed in 53.70, while Eliza Lennox of Tulane (53.96) is the last of five American Conference swimmers to break 54 in the 100 fly this season.
200-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Maya Wilson (Tulane) – 1:46.04
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Lise Coetzee (Tulane) and Ava Portello (Rice) (tied for 2nd place)
Championship Meet Record: Jacqueline Keire (Cincinnati), 2017 – 1:43.48
2025-26 Leader: Ava Portello (Rice) – 1:47.42
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Five (Emily Zimcosky – 2019; Eva Suggs – 2020, 2021 and 2022; Sydney Stricklin – 2025)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Natalie Colarossi – 1:49.85 (9th)
Liberty Entrants: Natalie Colarossi, Emma Herrera, Sadie Huenefeld, Faith Forsberg, Kaycee Cannings,
Outlook: Last year, Rice freshman Ava Portello and Tulane freshman Lise Coetzee tied for second in the American 200 freestyle A Final. This season, Portello (1:47.42) is seeded first and Coetzee (1:47.67), second. Liberty's Kamryn Cannings swam 1:47.74 earlier this season and has a lifetime-best of 1:44.10, but is focusing on other events this weekend. Rafa Smuda of Tulane holds the third seed at 1:48.29, followed by Rice's Avery Karacz (1:48.75) and Madison Wimmer of JMU (1:48.75). Natalie Colarossi of Liberty is seeded ninth (1:49.85) after finishing eighth in the ASUN 200 free A Final as a freshman last season.
1-Meter Diving
Defending Champion: Kamryn Wong (North Texas) – 310.90
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Kamryn Wong (North Texas) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Paige Burrell (FIU), 2024 – 316.90
2025-26 Leader: Frida Zuniga Guzman (East Carolina) – 313.05
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Five (Lauren Chennault – 2020; Maddie Freece – 2021, 2022; Mary Herndon – 2024; Shannon Icard – 2025)
Liberty's Top Entry: Chloe LaCount – 267.15 (11th)
Liberty Entrants: Shannon Icard, Chloe LaCount, Mercy Goodnight, Savannah Watts, Elizabeth Mumau, Kayla Walsh, Tayler Curlee, Rachel Laraio
Outlook: Last year's top three finishers in the American Conference one-meter A Final (1st place – Kamryn Wong (North Texas); 2nd place – Sydney Guidara (North Texas); 3rd place –
Frida Zuniga Guzman (East Carolina)) return this season. Joining them is 2025 ASUN champion Shannon Icard from Liberty. Zuniga Guzman is the top seed at 313.05, followed by teammate Cecilia Bragantini (304.43) and North Texas' Guidara (301.95). Antonia Harned of Rice holds the fourth seed (288.60), followed by Wong (283.55). Liberty's Shannon Icard is seeded 12th at 267.15.
Day 3 – Feb. 23, 2024
100-yard Backstroke
Defending Champion: Diana Santamaria (FIU) – 53.74
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Diana Sanatamaria (FIU) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Laura Laderoute (Houston), 2020 – 52.61
2025-26 Leader: Kseniia Luniushina (Marshall) – 52.59
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Eight (Brittany Weiss – 2017 and 2018; Payton Keiner – 2019, 2020 and 2021; Abbie Shaw – 2022, 2023 and 2024)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Gwyneth Frick – 52.97 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Gwyneth Frick, Dakota Howard, Malia Francis, Margot Ritchie, Sadie Stricklin,
Outlook: 2025 Sun Belt 100 backstroke champion Kseniia Luniushina of Marshall is this year's top seed in the American 100 back in 52.59. Liberty freshman Gwyneth Frick (52.97) holds the second seed, while ECU's Carlie Clements (53.18) is third. Last year's champion in this event at the American Conference meet, Diana Santamaria of FIU, is seeded fourth this week in 53.64. Tulane's Andrea Zeebe (53.91), last year's runner-up to Sanatamaria, is seeded fifth, while Liberty freshman Dakota Howard (54.20) is eighth.
100-yard Breaststroke
Defending Champion: Emma Becker (FIU) – 59.02
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Ingrid Huszar (FIU) (3rd place)
Championship Meet Record: Emma Becker (FIU), 2025 – 59.02
2025-26 Leader: Frida Loebersli (FIU) – 59.52
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Three (Laura Day – 2013; Emilie Kaufman – 2014; Aly Bozzuto - 2015)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Aly Bozzuto – 1:00.26 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Aly Bozzuto, Karis Francis
Outlook: Despite graduating the meet record holder in this event, FIU maintains the top seed with Frida Loebersli (59.52). Liberty's Aly Bozzuto won the 2025 ASUN 100 breaststroke title in a program-record 59.17. Bozzuto holds the second seed at 1:00.26, although Bozzuto topped Loebersli in this event at a dual meet this past fall. Rice's Reese Cole is seeded third at 1:00.99, followed by FAU's duo of Bilu Bianchi (1:01.01) and Maja Piotrowicz (1:01.32). The 2025 Sun Belt 100 breaststroke champion, Riley Bridgman of JMU, holds the 30th best time at 1:05.53.
200-yard Butterfly
Defending Champion: Arielle Hayon (Rice) – 1:57.63
Top Returnee from 2024 Meet (Place): Varvara Gkiouzepa (Tulane) (4th place)
Championship Meet Record: Tanja Kylliainen (Louisville), 2014 – 1:53.94
2025-26 Leader: Lauren McNamara (Marshall) – 1:58.35
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Nine (Jess Reinhardt – 2013 and 2014; Alicia Finnigan – 2017, 2018 and 2019; Lindsey Cohee – 2020 and 2021; Chloe Harris – 2022; Kamryn Cannings – 2024)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Riley Leach – 2:00.31 (5th)
Liberty Entrants: Riley Leach, Emily Harstad, Emma Herrera,
Outlook: Each of the top three finishers in last year's American Conference 200 fly has graduated. 2025 Sun Belt 200 fly champion, Lauren McNamara of Marshall, is this year's top seed in the American Conference in 1:58.35. Rice's Reese Cole (1:58.90) is seeded second, followed by ECU's Tanith Mueller (1:58.94) and Lily Archibald of Rice (1:59.98). Liberty freshman Riley Leach holds the fifth seed (2:00.31).
3-Meter Diving
Defending Champion: Kamryn Wong (North Texas) – 338.20
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Kamryn Won (North Texas) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Frida Zuniga Guzman (ECU), 2024 – 352.80
2025-26 Leader: Frida Zuniga Guzman (East Carolina) – 382.05
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Three (Maddie Freece – 2021, 2024; Shannon Icard – 2025)
Liberty's Top Entry: Mercy Goodnight – 294.40 (6th)
Liberty Entrants: Mercy Goodnight, Shannon, Icard, Kayla Walsh, Chloe LaCount, Savannah Watts, Tayler Curlee, Elizabeth Mumau, Rachel Laraio
Outlook: Kamryn Wong of North Texas doubled by winning both the one-meter and three-meter at the 2025 American Conference Championships. ECU's Frida Zuniga Guzman earned a Gold (platform), silver (three-meter) and bronze (one-meter) in diving last year. Liberty's Shannon Icard won both the one-meter and three-meter at the 2025 ASUN Championships. Zuniga Guzman is the top seed at 382.05, followed by Wong (350.25) and Rice's Antonina Harned (326.70). Kristina Keenan of FIU is seeded fourth (310.43), while Sydney Guidara of North Texas is fifth at 301.50. Liberty's top seed is Mercy Goodnight in sixth at 294.40, while Icard is 11th in 286.30.
Day 4 – Feb. 24, 2024
1,650-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Ella Dyson (Rice) – 16:20.26 (Three in a row)
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Ella Dyson (Rice) (Champion
Championship Meet Record: Kristen Stege (ECU), 2020 – 16:11.96
2025-26 Leader: Ella Dyson (Rice) – 16:22.18
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Four (Delia Weber – 2017; Mikayla Herich – 2019 and 2020; Eden Troxell – 2025)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Eden Troxell – 16:53.33 (6th)
Liberty Entrants: Eden Troxell, Layne Jones, Kaycee Cannings,
Outlook: Rice's Ella Dyson has won each of the last three American Conference 1650 freestyle titles and has the top seed by over four seconds this year at 16:22.18. Rice holds each of the top three seeds in the mile. Last year's runner-up, Ava Portello (16:26.29) and Ava Hamblett (16:46.28) are seeded second and third in that order. Marshall's Maddie Emment is seeded fourth in 16:48.51, followed by Tulane's Lise Coetzee (16:50.36). Liberty's Eden Troxell, last year's ASUN champion in this event, holds the sixth seed at 16:53.33.
100-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Maya Wilson (Tulane) – 48.52
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Diana Santamaria (FIU) (4th place)
Championship Meet Record: Jacqueline Keire (Cincinnati), 2017 – 47.95
2025-26 Leader: Eliza Lennox (Tulane) – 49.03
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Four (Brye Ravettine – 2012; Brittany Weiss – 2020; Sydney Stricklin – 2022; Kamryn Cannings – 2025)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Kamryn Cannings – 49.77 (4th)
Liberty Entrants: Kamryn Cannings, Dakota Howard, Natalie Colarossi, Sadie Huenefeld, Carly Larson, Faith Forsberg, Kaycee Cannings, Kalina Frick, Sarah Fleury,
Outlook: While a pair of 2025 100 freestyle conference champions is in this year's American Conference Championships, Tulane freshman Eliza Lennox holds the top seed at 49.03. 2025 Sun Belt 100 champion Jamie Cornwell of James Madison is seeded second in 49.17, followed by Marshall's Elyse Wood (49.61). Liberty's Kamryn Cannings is the fourth seed (49.77). Cannings won the 100 free at the 2025 ASUN Championships in 48.45. FIU's Diana Santamaria (49.90) and Oumy Diop (49.91) are seeded fifth and sixth, respectively.
200-yard Backstroke
Defending Champion: Ava Hamblett (Rice) – 1:55.81
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Ava Hamblett (Rice) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Matea Samardzic (SMU) – 1:52.69
2025-26 Leader: Gwyneth Frick (Liberty) – 1:56.10
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Eight (Payton Keiner – 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; Abbie Shaw – 2022, 2023 and 2024; Malia Francis – 2025)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Gwyneth Frick – 1:56.10 (1st)
Liberty Entrants: Gwyneth Frick, Malia Francis, Sadie Stricklin, Margot Ritchie, Layne Jones
Outlook: Liberty has won the last eight conference 200 backstroke titles in a row. Despite each of last year's American Conference podium finishers return, Liberty has the top two seeds in freshman Gwyneth Frick (1:56.10) and 2025 ASUN co-champion Malia Francis (1:57.06). Last year's American champion, Ava Hamblett of Rice, is seeded sixth (1:57.83), while 2025 AAC runner-up Meg Drover-Smith of FAU holds the third seed in 1:57.30. FIU's Claudia Frasca of FIU is seeded fourth (1:57.54), followed by ECU's Elena Dinehart (1:57.58). 2025 Sun Belt 200 back gold medalist Kseniia Luniushina of Marshall holds the ninth seed at 1:58.36.
200-yard Breaststroke
Defending Champion: Nicole Frank (FIU) – 2:10.49
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Nicole Frank (FIU) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Christie Chue (FIU), 2024 – 2:07.99
2025-26 Leader: Aly Bozzuto (Liberty) – 2:11.21
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Three (Emilie Kaufman – 2013 and 2014; Aly Bozzuto – 2025)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Aly Bozzuto – 2:11.21 (1st)
Liberty Entrants: Aly Bozzuto, Karis Francis,
Outlook: Defending American Conference 200 breaststroke champion Nicole Frank of FIU is seeded third in 2:12.87 this season. 2025 ASUN champion Aly Bozzuto holds the top seed with a program-record 2:11.21. Bozzuto defeated Frank head-to-head in this event in a dual meet at FIU in the fall. FAU's Nula Gow (2:12.85) is seeded third. Reese Cole of Rice holds the fourth seed at 2:13.20, followed by FAU's Bilu Bianchi (2:13.64).. 2025 Sun Belt 200 breaststroke champion Riley Bridgman of JMU has the 27th best time in 2:20.59.
Platform Diving
Defending Champion: Frida Zuniga Guzman (ECU), 2025 – 310.08
Top Returnee from 2025 Meet (Place): Frida Zuniga Guzman (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Frida Zuniga Guzman (ECU), 2025 – 310.08
2025-26 Leader: Kristina Keenan (FIU) – 247.30
Liberty Event Titles (Last):
Liberty's Top Entry: Shannon Icard – 242.40 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Shannon Icard, Savannah Watts, Tayler Curlee, Mercy Goodnight, Chloe LaCount, Elizabeth Mumau, Rachel Laraio, Kayla Walsh
Outlook: Defending American Conference champion Frida Zuniga Guzman of East Carolina set the championship record on platform last year. Liberty's Shannon Icard qualified for the 2025 NCAA Zone Championships on platform, winning the exhibition platform diving event at the 2025 ASUN Championships. FIU returns the divers who finished second (Brooke Megdall), third (Kristina Keenan) and fourth (Ruska Lehtonen) on platform at the 2025 American Championships. Keenan is the top seed at 247.30, with Icard (242.40) being second. Rice has the third (Antonina Harned – 234.45) and fourth (Morgan Robson – 221.35) seed, while Liberty's Savannah Watts (220.50) is fifth.
Players Mentioned
Sprint Free, Breast
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free, Fly
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free, Fly
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Freestyle
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Freestyle
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Fly, Breast
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Back, Fly, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Back, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Sprint Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free, Fly
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free, Fly
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free, Back
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Fly, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free, Back
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free, Fly
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Breast, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Back, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Back, IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free, Back, Fly
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Freestyle
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming & DivingJessica Barnes: Joy in Suffering
Tuesday, January 06
Alicia (Finnigan) Cardie: Finding Purpose Outside of the Pool
Wednesday, August 06
Headed to the American Conference! See you on July 1, 2025! 👀🏊♀️ #shorts
Friday, December 13
Little recap of our swim meet from against JMU🤩 #shorts
Monday, November 04