The University of Montevallo men captured the 2026 Conference Carolinas Championship and the women finished 2nd, just days after the school announced recommending cutting the swimming and diving programs. The men’s win marked their first ever in program history.
In addition to the men’s program earning the win, head coach Lori Riegler won Conference Carolinas Men’s Swimming & Diving Coach of the Year. Senior Alexandria Morgan on the women’s side earned the Women’s Swimming Elite 26 Award. The Elite 26 award “honors the student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade-point average at their respective championship site.”
Leading the way for the Montevallo men was Aleksei Kolesnikov who swam to wins in the 100 free (44.86) and 100 fly (47.73). Both times are just off what it took to make the 2025 Division II Championships as it took a 47.50 in the 100 fly. He scored 14 points at 2025 D2 NCAAs, finishing 7th in the 100 fly (46.81).
Kolesnikov also teamed up alongside Denis Popov, Xoel Parcero Areoso, and Alex Kim for the win in the 400 medley relay as the team touched in a 3:20.51.
Also highlighting the men’s team was Ben Johnson as he won the 200 fly in a 1:52.19. Johnson also was 4th in the 400 IM and 5th in the 1000 free.
Men’s Scores
- Montevallo – 658
- Converse – 643.5
- Emmanuel – 624
- King – 436
- Barton – 334
- Chowan – 281.5
The Montevallo women finished with 621 points, 2nd behind UNC Pembroke’s 791.5 points. The Montevallo women were led by Keara McGee as McGee won the 100 fly in a 55.58 and the 200 fly in a 2:06.71. She also was 2nd in a 2:07.43. Her 100 fly time is notably just off what it took to make the 2025 Division II NCAA Championships as the cutline fell at a 55.45. McGee swam in prelims of the 100 free and 100 fly at 2025 D2 NCAAs.
In additional to Alexandria Morgan’s Elite 26 award, she also had numerous top finishes for the team as she was 2nd in the 200 free (1:54.73), 3rd in the 500 free (5:03.34), and 3rd in the 1650 free (17:39.67).
Women’s Scores
- UNC Pembroke – 791.5
- Montevallo – 621
- Emmanuel – 619.5
- King – 368
- Converse – 345
- Chowan – 192
- Barton – 173
The school recommended that both men’s and women’s swimming and diving as well as the men’s and women’s tennis programs be cut. The school’s Board of Trustees voted to table the decision on all four programs until the next meeting that is scheduled for May 1.
This program is worth saving. Work with the parents and community to save this program!
Congrats to Coach Lori and the Montevallo team. Handled adversity with class and fire, and rose to the occasion 🏆
In political terms, the Soviets called them the “vrag naroda” – the enemy of the people.
And, administrators, AD’s, et al, at smaller colleges and programs seem to be slipping into this category.
First they consume the small fish; then, they come for the big ones. . . . . only money can save these programs because the hearts and minds of the powerful seem set against us.
The entire team is in the portal and the school can now simply follow the recommendation. Admin won’t lose sleep.
I say again, higher ed and college athletic admin are the most mediocre people on the planet.
Someone needs to explain this decision to me because it does not make much sense.
With all these teams it’s always about the money (except for cal poly).
Need to keep these smaller conferences alive. Once one program is cut it keeps rolling.
Barton not far behind judging by other article.