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2026 NAIA National Championships: Day 3 Finals Live Recap

2026 NAIA Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving National Championships

Women’s Top 10 After Day 2

  1. Keiser, 238
  2. SCAD Savannah, 188
  3. (tie) Cumberlands / St Thomas (FL), 167
  4. –
  5. Masters, 142
  6. Bethel (IN), 115
  7. Lindsey Wilson, 98
  8. Milligan, 70
  9. Olivet Nazarene, 49
  10. (tie) William Carey / Arizona Christian, 48

Men’s Top 10 After Day 2

  1. Keiser, 263
  2. SCAD Savannah, 140
  3. Milligan, 139
  4. William Carey, 120
  5. Cumberlands, 114
  6. St Thomas (FL), 111
  7. St Ambrose, 110
  8. Masters, 95
  9. Life, 76
  10. (tie) Aquinas / Lindsey Wilson, 60

Day 3

Women’s 100 Butterfly — Finals

Podium:

  1. Luiza Bersi (Keiser) – 53.76
  2. Valle Gonzalez Ares (SCAD) – 54.51
  3. Zselyke Papp (Keiser) – 54.73
  4. Chloe Rhodenizer (Indiana Wesleyan) – 56.51
  5. Eliza Nuet (Bethel) – 57.06
  6. Abby Maniace (Milligan) – 57.07
  7. Ella Sherwood (Bethel) – 57.17
  8. Irene Artabe Abasalo (St. Ambrose) – 57.81

Keiser’s Luiza Bersi won her 2nd individual title with a 53.76 in the 100 fly. After upsetting the #1 seed in the 200 IM last night, Bersi was the favorite in the fly after she hit the top qualifying time this morning.

SCAD’s Valle Gonzalez Ares, who won the 50 free last night, kept the Seahawks from achieving a 1-2 finish by touching out Zselyke Papp, 54.51 to 54.73, for 2nd.

Indiana Wesleyan’s Chloe Rhodenizer moved from 6th out of prelims to 4th on the podium with 56.51 in the final.

Bethel’s and Eliza Nuet (57.06, 5th) and Ella Sherwood (57.17, 7th) came to the wall with Abby Maniace of Milligan (57.07, 6th).

Men’s 100 Butterfly — Finals

Podium:

  1. Isaiah Aleksenko (Keiser) – 45.21 *NAIA AND MEET RECORD*
  2. Christoph Haenel (Milligan) – 47.49
  3. Alexander Poulsen (Cumberlands) – 47.52
  4. Nedas Giedraitis (William Carey) – 47.71
  5. Dawid Malik (Keiser) – 47.86
  6. Bo Kasten (SCAD) – 48.06
  7. Jayen Viscaino (St. Thomas) – 48.09
  8. Sergio Tudor (Milligan) – 48.70

Keiser sophomore Isaiah Aleksenko, who won the 200 IM last night with an NAIA record, made it two for two tonight with a massive 45.21 in the 100 fly final. He lowered his own meet and NAIA national record – set in prelims this morning – by .28. Aleksenko split 21.42/23.79 to win the race by 2 body lengths. A native of the Northern Mariana Islands, Aleksenko is the only swimmer in NAIA history under 46 seconds in the race.

Milligan’s Christoph Haenel improved on the PB he clocked in prelims to touch 2nd with 47.49, coming to the wall first in the next wave of swimmers. It was a tight finish, with Alexander Poulsen of Cumberlands (47.52) only .03 behind Haenel and just ahead of William Carey’s Nedas Giedraitis (47.71), Keiser’s Dawid Malik (47.86), SCAD’s Bo Kasten (48.06), Jayen Viscaino of St. Thomas (48.09), and Milligan’s Sergio Tudor (48.70).

Women’s 400 IM — Finals

Podium:

  1. Alessia Claassen (St. Thomas) – 4:22.95
  2. Katherine Dyer (Masters) – 4:23.27
  3. Rachel Bradley (Keiser) – 4:24.62
  4. Bella Hoare (Cumberlands) – 4:26.46
  5. Emma Phillips (St. Thomas) – 4:28.54
  6. Hannah Jyawook (Arizona Christian) – 4:31.64
  7. Lily Windham (Keiser) – 4:35.35
  8. Greta Aldrovandi (Keiser) – 4:39.10

There were 3 familiar faces on the top steps of the podium, but this year the order changed. St. Thomas senior Alessia Claassen, who tied with Keiser’s Rachel Bradley for 2nd place last year, eked out the win this year in 4:22.95 over defending champion and meet record-holder, Katherine Dyer of The Masters.

Dyer was out in 58.84 with the butterfly, getting off to a 1.3-second lead over Claassen and a 2.3-second lead over Bradley. Claassen made up the difference and then some on the backstroke, turning at the 200 wall in 2:07.76 to Dyer’s 2:09.11. Bradley also outsplit Dyer on the back and headed into the breaststroke in 2nd place.

Dyer came roaring back on the breast and touched at the 300 wall in 1st place with a .07 advantage over Claassen. Claassen came home in 59.7 to get the win by .3 over Dyer (4:23.27). Bradley finished 3rd in 4:24.62.

The rest of the field was quite spread out, with Bella Hoare of Cumberlands taking 4th place in 4:26.46, more than a body length up on St. Thomas’ Emma Phillips (4:28.54).

Men’s 400 IM — Finals

  • NAIA Record: 3:47.95, Kevin Keil (SCAD) – 2025
  • Meet Record: 3:48.61, Kevin Keil (SCAD) – 2025
  • 2025 Champion: Kevin Keil (SCAD) – 3:48.61

Podium:

  1. Evan Nail (Masters) – 3:48.16 *MEET RECORD*
  2. Fabizio Pacioni (Cumberlands) – 3:49.92
  3. Adam Conrad (St. Thomas) – 3:52.16
  4. Xavier Trovesi (Life) – 3:52.17
  5. Abel Eszenyi (SCAD) – 3:55.16
  6. Alex Menzel (Keiser) – 3:57.77
  7. Sergio Ybarra (Lindsey Wilson) – 3:59.32
  8. Yusuf Balaban (William Carey) – 4:01.10

Masters graduate student Evan Nail, an Arizona State transfer, led from start to finish in the final of the 400 IM. He was out by a body length at after the butterfly and maintained his dominating lead throughout the race to finish in 3:48.16, setting a new meet record.

Swimming in lane 2, Cumberlands freshman Fabizio Pacioni from Italy was half a body ahead of the rest of the field in 2nd place by the halfway mark. He never let up and wound up with 3:49.92, dropping 7.5 seconds from his prelims swim.

Adam Conrad of St. Thomas, last year’s 3rd-place finisher, battled Xavier Trovesi of Life (4th in 2025) stroke-for-stroke over the second half of the race. They finished .01 apart, with both Conrad and Trovesi repeating their steps of the podium from a year ago.

Abel Eszenyi of SCAD, who finished 6th in this final a year ago when he was at Union, came in 5th with 3:55.16.

Women’s 200 Freestyle — Finals

Podium:

  1. Alanis Santiago (Keiser) – 1:49.84
  2. Kylee Sears (Masters) – 1:50.21
  3. Jaylyn Harrison (Bethel) – 1:51.17
  4. Lena Gerl (SCAD) – 1:51.53
  5. Ugne Takuseviciute (Cumberlands) – 1:52.63
  6. Mya Nemechek (New College of Florida) – 1:53.38
  7. Alyssa Osborn (Olivet Nazarene) – 1:53.61
  8. Martine Abrahamsen (St. Thomas) – 1:53.77

Swimming in her home pool, Bethel senior Jaylyn Harrison established the pace early on and led at the 50, 100, and 150. Keiser’s Alanis Santiago came back over the final 50 yards to get the touch with 1:49.84. Kylee Sears of The Masters got past Harrison at the end, as well; she finished 2nd with 1:50.21. Sears was runner-up last year, while Harrison was 4th.

SCAD’s Lena Gerl placed 4th with 1:51.53, almost a body length ahead of Ugne Takusevicuite of Cumberlands (1:52.63).

Men’s 200 Freestyle — Finals

Podium:

  1. Izaiah Trevino-Iozano (Masters) – 1:34.91
  2. Titouan Bernot (Cumberlands) – 1:35.22
  3. Zoltan Tompos (SCAD) – 1:35.38
  4. Adam Salama (William Carey) – 1:37.60
  5. Dylan Crane (Masters) – 1:37.66
  6. Carlos Trinidad Sancho (Keiser) – 1:37.98
  7. Mert Basaran (St. Thomas) – 1:38.88
  8. Hanno Boechmann (Keiser) – 1:44.44

Sophomore Izaiah Trevino-Iozano, who spent his freshman year at Cal Baptist before transferring to The Masters this year, won the 200 free with 1:34.91, just missing Joel Ax’s 2017 meet record. His teammate Dylan Crane got out to the early lead from lane 1, but Trevino-Iozano caught him at the 100 and the Masters duo flipped together. Trevino-Iozano pulled to the front at the 150 and held on through to the finish. He successfully thwarted a strong charge from Titouan Bernot of Cumberlands; he came home in a blazing 23.86 but fell just .3 short of the title. SCAD’s Zoltan Tompos’ 4th 50 was the 2nd-fastest, with 24.00; he settled for 3rd in 1:35.38.

Levente Mozsarik of SCAD, who had been seeded 4th coming into the meet but missed the ‘A’ final in heats this morning, won the ‘B’ final with 1:37.34, the 4th time overall.

Women’s 100 Breaststroke — Finals

Podium:

  1. Nikki Hahn (SCAD) – 1:01.84
  2. Kate Vorontsova (Keiser) – 1:03.35
  3. Megan Schoenlein (Cumberlands) – 1:03.58
  4. Louise Jones (SCAD) – 1:04.07
  5. Celin Ullern (Cumberlands) – 1:04.39
  6. Marlien Crewe-Brown (Campbellsville) – 1:04.93
  7. Eszter Kardos (William Carey) – 1:05.06
  8. Boglarka Zsunics (Keiser) – 1:05.35

Top-seeded Nikki Hahn of SCAD, who was runner-up to meet record-holder Nikoline Biltoft–Jensen in 2025, ran away with the title this year in 1:01.84. She was .7 off the PB she had set in prelims, but still won by a body length.

Kaiser’s Kate Vorontsova, who placed 7th a year ago, was runner-up in 1:03.35, just ahead of Megan Schoenlein of Cumberlands (1:03.58).

Nevada transfer Louise Jones of SCAD placed 4th with 1:04.07.

Men’s 100 Breaststroke — Finals

Podium:

  1. Noel de Geus (Keiser) – 52.18
  2. Caleb Fry (Milligan) – 53.43
  3. (tie) Bence Meresz (Life) / Cory Werrett (St. Ambrose) – 53.76
  4. –
  5. Hunter Boudreau (William Carey) – 53.89
  6. Sam Pilkington (Ave Maria) – 54.17
  7. Elijah Holliman (Milligan) – 55.10
  8. Eric Risland (St. Thomas) – 55.45

Noel de Geus of Keiser became the first four-time winner of the NAIA 100 breast title in history on Friday night as he came to the wall in 52.18, ahead of Milligan’s Caleb Fry (53.43). de Geus was .7 off his meet record time from 2024, but still won by a body over the rest of the field.

It was crowded at the finish behind de Geus, as Fry touched out Life’s Bence Meresz and St. Ambrose’s Cory Werrett, who tied for 3rd with 53.73, William Carey’s Hunter Boudreau in 5th (53.89), and Ave Maria’s Sam Pilkington at 6th (54.17).

Women’s 100 Backstroke — Finals

Podium:

  1. Natalia Janiszewska (Keiser) – 53.95
  2. Sophie Bell (Brenau) – 54.29
  3. Jette Haedicke (SCAD) – 54.40
  4. Clara Patterson (Masters) – 55.00
  5. Elena Wlodarczyk (SCAD) – 56.47
  6. Aixa Recchioni (Bethel) – 57.11
  7. Natalia Gorska (Lindsey Wilson) – 57.15
  8. Grace Funck (William Carey) – 57.86

Keiser’s Natalie Janiszewska took.4 off her prelims time to win the women’s 100 back title in 53.95. Sophie Bell of Brenau clocked a 54.29 to just touch out SCAD’s Jette Haedicke (54.40) for 2nd place. Bell won the consolation final a year ago with 57.32.

Clara Patterson of The Masters came in 4th (55.00), clearing the rest of the field – led by SCAD’s Elena Wlodarczyk (56.47) by a body length.

Men’s 100 Backstroke — Finals

Podium:

  1. Ruthiik Satti (Cumberlands) – 48.09
  2. Brandon Holder (Cumberlands) – 48.14
  3. Marcel Setlak (Keiser) – 48.15
  4. Kervens Warnon (St. Thomas) – 48.72
  5. Nicklas Pedersen (Keiser) – 48.94
  6. Maxi Jacquet (St. Ambrose) – 48.99
  7. Paxton Smith (Milligan) – 49.09
  8. Martin Sener (Midland) – 49.83

Cumberlands freshman Brandon Holder from New Zealand took it out quickly from lane 4, flipping first at the 50 wall and seemingly leading the field down the stretch. But his teammate, senior Ruthiik Satti came out of nowhere in lane 6 to get the touch, winning by .05 with 48.09. Cumberlands went 1-2, beating out Keiser’s Marcel Setlak (48.15).

Kervens Warnon of St. Thomas led the next wave of finishers with 48.72. Keiser’s Nicklas Pedersen (48.94), Maxi Jacquet of St. Ambrose (48.99), Paxton Smith of Milligan (49.09) were just behind.

Men’s 1-Meter Diving – Finals

  • Meet Record: 587.35 – Grant Brehaut, Simon Fraser (2004)
  • 2025 Champion: Juan Gonzalez (Keiser) – 305.20

Podium:

  1. Adrian Avilan (Keiser) – 347.95
  2. Evan Bennett (Aquinas) – 310.45
  3. Troy Borrero (Aquinas) – 275.85
  4. Owen Fleck (Bethel) – 271.50
  5. Payton Whipple (Keiser) – 248.35
  6. Jace Champlin (Keiser) – 247.80
  7. Matthew Logston (College of Idaho) – 236.15
  8. Cooper Wasson (Aquinas) – 231.90

Adrian Avilan of Keiser won 1-meter diving with 347.95 points, completing his sweep of the springboard events. Evan Bennett of Aquinas, who led after prelims, posted a score of 310.45 for 2nd place. His teammate Troy Borrero was 3rd with 275.85, more than 60 points better than his 5th-place score from last year.

Women’s 400 Yard Medley Relay – Timed Finals

  • Meet Record: 3:42.22, Keiser – 2025
  • 2025 Champion: Keiser 3:42.22

Podium:

  1. Keiser – 3:41.24 *MEET RECORD*
  2. SCAD – 3:44.30
  3. Masters – 3:47.90
  4. Cumberlands – 3:49.88
  5. St Thomas (FL) – 3:50.30
  6. Lindsey Wilson – 3:53.96
  7. William Carey – 3:54.81
  8. Bethel (IN) – 3:55.18

Keiser’s Natalia Janiszewska (54.71), Kate Vorontsova (1:03.49), Luiza Bersi (52.80), and Alanis Santiago (50.24) combined for 3:41.24 to beat the meet record that the Seahawks had established in 2025.

SCAD was in 2nd place from start to finish, with legs from Jette Haedicke (55.20), Nikki Hahn (1:02.67), Valle Gonzalez Ares (55.33), and Louise Jones (51.10). The Bees finished in 3:44.30.

Men’s 400 Yard Medley Relay – Timed Finals

  • Meet Record: 3:10.52 – Keiser (2025)
  • 2025 Champion: Keiser 3:10.52

Podium:

  1. Keiser – 3:09.43 *MEET RECORD*
  2. Cumberlands – 3:13.19
  3. William Carey – 3:14.29
  4. SCAD – 3:15.41
  5. Milligan – 3:15.66
  6. Masters – 3:16.10
  7. St Thomas (FL) – 3:17.69
  8. St Ambrose – 3:18.33

Keiser ended the night with another meet record, this time in the men’s 400 medley relay with 3:09.43. That took 1.1 seconds off the time they had gone a year ago. Isaiah Aleksenko led off in 45.70; he was followed by Noel de Geus (52.16), Dawid Malik (47.67), and Hanno Boeckmann (43.90).

Second place went to Cumberlands with Ruthiik Satti (48.22), Leon Irmer (53.91), Alexander Poulsen (47.77), and Titouan Bernot (43.29) combining for 3:13.19.

William Carey’s Yusuf Balaban (50.06), Hunter Boudreau (53.58), Nedas Giedraitis (47.22), and Adam Salama (43.43) beat out SCAD’s Dario Rukavina, Abel Eszenyi, Bo Kasten, and Levente Mozsarik, the latter of whom had the fastest anchor of the night with 42.63.

Women’s Top 10 After Day 3

  1. Keiser, 441
  2. SCAD, 344
  3. Cumberlands, 287
  4. Thomas (FL), 264
  5. Masters, 232
  6. Bethel (IN), 200
  7. Lindsey Wilson, 145
  8. Milligan, 113
  9. William Carey, 106
  10. Indiana Wesleyan, 86

Men’s Top 10 After Day 3

  1. Keiser, 484
  2. Cumberlands, 257
  3. Milligan, 254
  4. SCAD, 238
  5. Thomas (FL), 230
  6. William Carey, 209
  7. Ambrose, 184.5
  8. Masters, 177
  9. Life, 121.5
  10. Aquinas College, 118

 

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About Anne Lepesant

Anne Lepesant

Anne Lepesant is the mother of four daughters, all of whom swam in college. With an undergraduate degree from Princeton (where she was an all-Ivy tennis player) and an MBA from INSEAD, she worked for many years in the financial industry, both in France and the U.S. Anne is currently …

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