2026 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships
- Wednesday, March 18 – Saturday, March 21, 2026
- McAuley Aquatic Center, Atlanta, GA
- Defending Champions: Virginia (5x)
- Championship Central
- Preview Index
- Psych Sheet
- Live Stream
- Live Results
- Live Recaps
WOMEN’S 200 BACKSTROKE – Finals
- NCAA Record: 1:46.09 – Claire Curzan, Virginia (2026)
- American Record: 1:46.09 – Claire Curzan, Virginia (2026)
- U.S. Open Record: 1:46.09 – Claire Curzan, Virginia (2026)
Championship Record: 1:46.82 – Claire Curzan, Virginia (2025)- 2025 NCAA Champion: Claire Curzan, Virginia – 1:46.82
- 2025 8th/16th Prelims Times: 1:50.55/1:51.75
Top 8 Finishers
- Claire Curzan (UVA) — 1:46.10
- Maggie Wanezek (WISC) — 1:47.73
- Erika Pelaez (NCST) — 1:49.08
- Claire Jansen (PITT) — 1:49.10
- Bella Sims (MICH) — 1:49.38
- Teagan O’Dell (CAL) — 1:49.70
- Leah Shackley (NCST) — 1:49.74
- Miranda Grana (IU) — 1:50.71
Claire Curzan of Virginia broke her own NCAA meet record, touching in a 1:46.10 in the 200 backstroke. That broke her previous meet record of a 1:46.82 that she swam a year ago to win the title. That swim stood as the NCAA record until last month. She also was only 0.01 off her own NCAA record tonight.
Split Comparison
| 2026 NCAAs | 2026 ACCs | 2025 NCAAs |
| 24.56 | 24.77 | 24.89 |
| 26.22 | 26.62 | 26.6 |
| 27.36 | 27.23 | 27.54 |
| 27.96 | 27.47 | 27.79 |
| 1:46.10 | 1:46.09 | 1:46.82 |
Curzan was out fast, under both records at the 50, 100, and 150 marks. Her final 50 tonight was half a second slower than her closing 50 from ACCs and she missed her NCAA record by just 0.01. Tonight’s swim marked the #2 performance all-time.
With her swim tonight, Curzan now holds the top four performances all-time. No other swimmer has been sub-1:47 in history.
All-Time Top Performances, Women’s 200 Back
- Claire Curzan, 1:46.09, 2026 ACC Championships
- Claire Curzan, 1:46.10, 2026 NCAA Championships
- Claire Curzan, 1:46.82, 2025 NCAA Division I Women
- Claire Curzan, 1:46.87, Tennessee Invitational
- Bella Sims, 1:47.11, 2025 NCAA Division I Women
Congrats Clair on an amazing win and an amazing meet. On the other hand just setting a record straight. Florida took a big hit when Bella transferred to Michigan. And I don’t mean just points. Criticism came from all sides that Bella was not coached properly and Florida was not the right fit. Well, while Bella did not have out of this world two years at Florida she still managed many best times during her first two years with Gators. While this year she did win 400 IM and kudos to her for doing it, this year marks the first year for her with zero best times at NCAA competition. Any thoughts?
I agree with you completely. Time wise I dont think Bella can say Michigan helped any!! But if shes happier that matters as well. Her fellow Sandpipers also look much in need of time drops.
Maggie Wanezek: 3 🤩
Bella sims: 1 🥀