2026 NCAA DIVISION I MEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Dates: Wednesday, March 25–Saturday, March 28
- Location: McAuley Aquatic Center, Atlanta, GA
- Defending Champions: Texas (1x)
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Princeton’s quartet of Arthur Balva (1:33.13), Mitchell Schott (1:30.61), Parker Lenoce (1:34.47) and Patrick Dinu (1:30.95) broke their own Ivy League record in the early heats of the 800 free relay, clocking a time of 6:09.16 to surpass their own Ivy League record time of 6:09.80 from the 2026 Ivy League Championship.
The Tigers finished second overall in the early heats, meaning that they will be guaranteed a finish of 10th place or higher overall.
Princeton has dominated the 800 free relay over the last two years, but improved significantly during the 2025-26 season. It previously set the Ivy League record at the 2025 NCAA championships in a time of 6:13.71, but has since shattered that to become the first school in conference history to break 6:10 in a 800 free relay.
Splits Comparison:
| Princeton, 2026 NCAA Championships | Princeton, 2026 Ivy League Championships | Princeton, 2025 NCAA Championships |
| Arthur Balva (1:33.13) | Arthur Balva (1:33.67) | Mitchell Schott (1:31.85) |
| Mitchell Schott (1:30.61) | Mitchell Schott (1:30.30) | Arthur Balva (1:33.72) |
| Parker Lenoce (1:34.47) | Parker Lenoce (1:33.68) | Noah Sech (1:35.13) |
| Patrick Dinu (1:30.95) | Patrick Dinu (1:32.15) | Patrick Dinu (1:33.01) |
| 6:09.16 | 6:09.80 | 6:13.71 |
Balva, Schott and Dinu were all on Princeton’s 2025 NCAAs relay. The only difference between its 2026 and 2025 squads is the addition of Lenoce, who is the team’s slowest leg but still faster than Noah Sech, the slowest leg from 2025.
Additionally, Dinu saw a major leap from Ivies to NCAAs this year, going from a 1:32.15 split in the former to a 1:30.95 split in the latter.
Schott and Dinu are set to swim the 200 free individually as well, with Schott seeded 12th (1:31.52) and Dinu seeded 3oth (1:32.53). Princeton is also entered in the 400 free relay.
Hope all Princeton Men are doing the Prancing Growling Tiger Cheer Crawl tonight – but home by 2am!
(Not the current team members at NCAAs – They need to rest.)
Look at the improvement curves of the Princeton guys. Mitch Schott who was already fast went from 131.85 flat start to 130.3 relay start. Balva went from 133.7 relay to 133.1 flat start. Dinu went from 133.0 to 130.9. Lenoce went from not being faster than their 135.1 leg to a 133.6 leg. Tremendous coaching job.
Absolutely – great observation
The Princeton coaches seem to know how to grow their swimmers and develop their potential. Yale coaching has improved as well. Other Ivies, not so much… one in particular.
Are you calling Ohio State a one in particular Ivy now?
Columbus. Columbia. Practically the same thing.
these guys are GOOD!!!!
That’s hot.
OOOOOSEEE
Princeton also has 400 FRR