2026 Louisville Invitational First Chance Meet
- February 5-6, 2026
- Ralph Wright Natatorium, Louisville, Kentucky
- 25 Yards (Short Course Yards), Prelims/Finals
- Results on Meet Mobile: “UofL Invitational 1st Chance Meet”
The Louisville First Chance Meet, like many First Chance Meets happening this weekend, is primarily designed for swimmers trying to snag the last spot on a post-season roster or to finish their season on a high note in a prelims/finals format.
On occasion, though, star swimmers pop up for a swim or two to get one last swim on the books before they head off into championship season, or even to take a first crack at an NCAA qualifying swim.
On Friday, Louisville newcomer Anastasia Gorbenko fulfilled that role with a new School Record in the 200 IM in 1:53.46. That shaves .07 seconds off her own Louisville Record of 1:53.53 done at the Texas Showdown in Austin two weeks ago. She now ranks 3rd in the NCAA this season in the event. The top three swimmers in the race will all compete at the ACC Championships in two weeks, as will five out of the top six.
2025-2026 NCAA Season, Women’s 200 IM
- Lucy Bell, Stanford – 1:52.50
- Teagan O’Dell, Cal – 1:53.19
- Anastasia Gorbenko, Louisville – 1:53.46
- Campbell Chase, Texas – 1:53.48
- Aimee Canny, Virginia – 1:54.05
The Israeli national joined the Cardinals for this spring semester at 22 years old with an already-established international resume. While Louisville lists her as a freshman on their roster, the official NCAA database managed by USA Swimming lists her as a sophomore.
She won a World Championship silver medal in the 400 IM in 2024, albeit at a lightly-attended edition. She was also the World Short Course Champion in 2021 in both the 50 breast and 100 IM. Likely Israel’s best-ever swimmer, she also has seven European titles and a 2018 Youth Olympic Games gold medal in the 200 IM.
Her arrival came with it a big upset as the Louisville women took down the #3 ranked Texas Longhorns in Austin in a two-day meet. The Cardinals won that meet by 1 point.
Gorbenko’s swim was done in a mid-day time trial. No official results for that time trials session have been published yet.
Other Highlight Swims Through 3 Sessions:
- Kentucky senior Fernanda De Goeij crushed her best time in the 200 back by almost a second, touching in 1:53.59. Her previous best was from a November dual meet, where she posted a 1:54.40, which was followed by a big time add at the Ohio State Invite. She is the team’s top 200 backstroker this season and that swim ranks 12th in the SEC, giving her an outside chance at an NCAA Invite.
Gorbenko’s SCM 200IM Israeli record from last Oct suggests she has at least an additional full second to improve on her current SCY time. She will be competing for more than the podium in the NCAA champ.
2021European LC Championships, Gold 200 IM, touched out Katinka