Rice Wins Third Straight American Conference Title

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
• COMPLETE MEET RESULTS
• Day 1 Recap | Day 2 Recap | Day 3 Recap

FINAL TEAM STANDINGS

1. Rice – 1404.5
2. Liberty – 1250
3. East Carolina – 1009.5
4. Florida International – 990
5. Tulane – 905.5
6. Florida Atlantic – 814
7. James Madison – 787
8. Marshall – 707.5
9. North Texas – 608

Rice has won their 3rd-straight American Conference title. The owls won this year’s title by 254.5 points over runner-up Liberty.

Rice sophomore Ava Portello won the 1650 free with a 16:23.84. The time comes in just a hair off her career best of 16:22.84, which she swam at the Texas A&M Last Chance Meet last March. Additionally, Portello punched her ticket to next month’s NCAA Championships, as she won this race and was under the NCAA qualifying time of 16:25.29.

Rice was dominant in the mile, as senior Ella Dyson came in 2nd with a 16:25.90, while Ava Hamblett clocked a 16:41.94 for 3rd.

Liberty junior Kamryn Cannings won the 100 free in 48.40, setting a new Liberty program record in the event. Additionally, Cannings was under the NCAA qualifying time of 48.60, which means she’s added the 100 free to her NCAA Championships schedule.

Florida Atlantic got in on the action, seeing Meg Drover-Smith win the 200 back with a 1:55.24. Her performance marks a new career best.

Aly Bozzuto won the 200 breast in 2:09.47, marking her 3rd individual title of the meet. Bozzuto earned Most Outstanding Swimmer honors for her efforts this week. Her 200 breast time from last night marks a new career best for her. Additionally, she was under the NCAA qualifying time, meaning she’s now qualified for the 50 free, 100 breast, and 200 breast at NCAAs.

The final event of the meet was the 400 free relay, where Liberty won with a time of 3:16.84. Natalie Colarossi (50.96), Dakota Howard (48.88), Bozzuto (48.81), and Cannings (48.19) combined to get the job done. They were within striking distance of the conference record of 3:16.15, which is held by Louisville from 2015.

The diving event on Saturday was platform, where East Carolina’s Frida Zuniga won with a new championship record of 319.75. Zuniga won the Most Outstanding Diver award for her efforts this week.

AWARDS

• American Championship Swimming Coach of the Year: Seth Huston, Rice
• American Championship Diving Coach of the Year: Ryan McIntire, East Caroline/Stephanie O’Callaghan, North Texas
• Most Outstanding Swimmer: Aly Bozzuto, Liberty
• Most Outstanding Diver: Frida Zuniga, East Carolina
• Most Outstanding Freshman Swimmer: Gwyn Frick, Liberty
• Most Outstanding Freshman Diver: Libby Brewer, Tulane