Ultra Swim Swimmer of the Month is a recurring SwimSwam feature shedding light on a U.S.-based swimmer who has proven themselves over the past month. As with any item of recognition, Swimmer of the Month is a subjective exercise meant to highlight one athlete whose work holds noteworthy context – perhaps a swimmer who was visibly outperforming other swimmers over the month, or one whose accomplishments slipped through the cracks among other high-profile swims. If your favorite athlete wasn’t selected, feel free to respectfully recognize them in our comment section.
University of Michigan standout Hannah Bellard has been on a tear throughout her junior year with the Wolverines, with her performances beginning to reach a new level in 2026.
After setting a new Big Ten Record in the women’s 200 fly in early January, Bellard had a phenomenal showing at the conference championships in late February, earning her Ultra Swimmer of the Month honors.
After setting a new Big Ten standard on Jan. 9 against Indiana in a time of 1:50.72, Bellard re-lowered the conference record at Big Tens in a time of 1:50.34, claiming the title over Hoosier freshman Alex Shackell (1:50.71) in an exciting race.
The performance ranks Bellard 8th all-time in the event and 1st in the NCAA this season.
Prior to that swim, which came on the final night of competition, Bellard won two other conference titles during the meet, first helping the Wolverines to the 800 free relay title in a Big Ten Record of 6:48.02 with a blistering 1:41.54 split to kick things off on Wednesday.
That split came on the heels of Bellard setting a new personal best of 1:43.83 in the 200 free during a dual with Denison on Jan. 31.
On Friday night, Bellard won the 500 free title in dominant fashion, putting up a time of 4:34.60 in the final to top runner-up Sienna Angove (4:37.60) by nearly three seconds and lowering her personal best time of 4:34.77 set earlier this season.
Bellard also set a big best time in the 400 IM on Thursday, clocking 4:03.32 to place 2nd to teammate Bella Sims (4:00.57) and knock more than two and a half seconds off her previous PB (4:05.92).
Bellard finished with 92 individual points, tied with Sims for the team lead, as the Michigan women won their first Big Ten title since 2018.
As a sophomore, Bellard also won the 200 fly title and placed 3rd in the 500 free and 7th in the 400 IM for 82 points. She scored 48 points as a freshman, with her only ‘A’ final appearance coming in the 200 fly (3rd).
With the NCAA Championships on the horizon in a few weeks, Bellard ranks 6th in the nation in the 500 free and 7th in the 400 IM in addition to owning the top spot in the 200 fly.
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