2026 American Conference (AC)
- Dates: Wednesday, February 18–Saturday, February 21
- Location: Greensboro Aquatics Center, Greensboro, NC
- Defending Champions: Rice women (2x)
- Live Results
- Live Video
- Championship Central
- SwimSwam Fan Guide
- Teams: East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, James Madison*, Liberty*, Marshall*, North Texas, Rice, Tulane
- Day 1 Results
TEAM STANDINGS (THRU DAY 1)
- Rice – 354.5
- Liberty – 323
- East Carolina – 218.5
- James Madison – 215
- Florida International – 209
- Tulane – 191
- Marshall – 180
- Florida Atlantic – 139
- North Texas – 124
The 2026 American Conference Championships are underway at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. Rice, the defending AC champions, have taken the lead following the 1st day of the meet. As many of the conference have, the AC has adopted a new order of events this year. As such, they didn’t following the traditional day 1 schedule of the 200 medley relay and 800 free relay. Rather, today’s action featured the 500 free, 200 IM, 50 free, and 200 medley relay.
Rice drew first blood, seeing Ava Portello win the 500 free in 4:42.67. Portello was just a touch off her career best of 4:41.79, which she set at the Phil Hansel Invite back in November. As a conference champion who went under the NCAA qualifying time of 4:43.70, Portello has earned an invite to the NCAA Championships next month.
Rice then built momentum coming out of the 500, posting a 1-2 finish in the 200 IM. Reese Cole won the event in 1:58.28, beating out teammate Bella Zhang, who came in 2nd with a 1:59.06. Cole’s swim marked a huge career best, blowing away her previous mark of 1:59.53, which was set at last year’s AAC Championships. Zhang’s swim was an even bigger career best, taking more than 3 seconds off her previous mark of 2:02.23. Cole is a sophomore, while Zhang is a freshman, which is a great sign for Rice in this event heading forward.
Liberty then earned their way to the top of the podium in the 50 free, where Aly Bozzuto clocked a 22.27. She was a hair faster in prelims, where she stopped the clock in 22.26. Firstly, that time is under the NCAA qualifying mark of 22.28, so Bozzuto has earned an invite to the NCAA Championships. She was, however, off her career mark of 22.09, which she swam at the ASUN Championships last season.
Florida International then won the relay on the day, the 200 medley. Diana Santamaria (24.47), Frida Loebersli (26.81), Oumy Doip (23.18), and Tawannah McLemore (21.78) teamed up for a 1:36.24. FIU had the fastest back and free split in the field, helping them to victory. Liberty came in 2nd with a 1:36.92, helped in a big way by Aly Bozzuto‘s 26.68 breast split.
There was also a team diving event event tonight, labeled the “3×50 yard relay team diving”. North Texas won that competition, with the trio of Sydney Guidara, Kamryn Wong, and Amelia Sharp teaming up to win the title.
