The Emory University men's swimming & diving team opened the 2026 NCAA Championships on Wednesday at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Eagles saw six individuals reach the finals of their respective events on day one to go along with the 400 Medley Relay team racing the championship final. Through one day of competition, Emory stands second in the team standings with 97 points, one point ahead of third place UChicago, and trails leader Denison by 21 points.
Emory placed at least one competitor in all four individual A finals on the evening with sophomore Ben Pritchard highlighting the solo performances with his sixth place showing in the 500 Freestyle with a finals mark of 4:26.86. It is his first podium finish of his career.
In the 200 IM, freshman Carson Kalish and junior McKee Thorsen took seventh and eighth, respectively, in the championship final with Kalish going for 1:47.78 and Thorsen touching at 1:49.36.
Junior Hayden Tupper shined in the A final of the 50 Freestyle as he went under 20 seconds for the first time, notching 19.98 to secure All-American honors as he finished seventh. Sophomore Solly Berkenwald was the final individual podium finishers for the Eagles on night one as he reached the championship finals in the 3-meter and placed eighth at 486.85.
Graduate student Crow Thorsen added to Emory's point tally with his 11th place showing in the 500 Freestyle as he came in with a time of 4:26.89 for Second Team All-America recognition.
In the final event of the evening, the Eagles registered a third place finish in the 400 Medley Relay as the group of M. Thosen, Tupper, sophomore Zachary Spicer and senior Henri Bonnault combined for a mark of 3:11.55.
The NCAA Championships continue Thursday with prelims getting underway at 10:00 AM followed by finals at 6:00 PM in Indy.
