The 2026 NCAA Championships got started for the Emory University women's swimming & diving team on Wednesday at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Eagles had five individuals turn in either First or Second Team All-America performances on night one as well as national runner-up relay in the 400 Medley. Through one day of competition, Emory stands third in the team race with 92.5 points trailing NYU (121) and Kenyon (108.5) in the standings.
During the final event of the night, the Eagles recorded their best finish of the session as the group of senior Penny Celtnieks, junior Katie Cohen, sophomore Allison Greeneway and graduate student Sammi Thiele earned silver in the 400 Medley Relay with a championship final time of 3:41.42.
Thiele and Greeneway were part of Emory's biggest point tally of the evening as a trio of Eagles placed inside the top nine in the 200 IM. Thiele was Emory's top performer as she took bronze at 2:01.25 and Greeneway joined her on the podium in sixth position with a time of 2:02.42. Sophomore Caitlin Crysel was the consolation final winner as she finished ninth with a finals time of 2:03.18.
Graduate student Ava Kennedy registered another bronze medal effort for the Eagles during night one as she posted a time of 22.86 in the championship heat of the 50 Freestyle.
Junior Emma Lunn rounded out Emory's point scorers on Wednesday as she started the session with a 13th place showing in the 500 Freestyle to collect Second Team All-America honors for the first time in Blue & Gold.
The NCAA Championships continue Thursday with prelims getting underway at 10:00 AM followed by finals at 6:00 PM in Indy.
