Women's Swimming & Diving

MAC Competitors Turn in Strong Performances at 2026 NCAA DI Women's Swimming & Diving Championship

Recaps courtesy of Athletic Communications Departments

Ball State's Kelly Turns in Strong Performance at 2026 NCAA DI Women's Swimming & Diving Championship
ATLANTA, Ga. – Senior Payton Kelly concluded competition Friday at the 2026 NCAA DI Women's Swimming & Diving Championship, turning in strong performances in two events Friday morning. 

The Mid-American Conference 2026 Most Outstanding Swimmer opened the day inside of Georgia Tech's McAuley Aquatic Center in the 100 backstroke prelim, touching the wall at 52.56 to place 41st. She then made an appearance in the 50 freestyle, finishing 33rd with a time of 22.18.  

With the Ball State swimming & diving program's 2025-26 campaign officially at a close, both the men's and women's teams are focused on preparations for next season's competitions. 

FRIDAY MORNING PRELIM RESULTS
100 Backstroke | Program Record – 52.07 by Payton Kelly in 2026
41st – Payton Kelly – 52.56

50 Freestyle | Program Record – 21.18 by Payton Kelly in 2026
33rd – Payton Kelly – 22.81


Buffalo's Melamud Makes Program History as Participant at 2026 NCAA DI Women's Swimming & Diving Championship
ATLANTA – The University at Buffalo swimming and diving program sent freshman diver Adele Melamud to compete at the 2026 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships on Thursday and Friday. Melamud made school history with her qualification for the meet, becoming the first freshman in program history to participate at NCAA Championships.

The freshman competed in one-meter diving on Thursday, placing 51st in the preliminary round with a score of 207.65. Melamud was one of six freshmen to compete at NCAA Championships in the one-meter field of 51 divers. The freshman also became one of five divers in program history to compete at NCAA Championships, joining Marialis Kwak, Victoria Franz, Abbey Croce and Meili Carpenter in the program record book.

Melamud then competed in the three-meter preliminary round on Friday, finishing 44th with a score of 241.85. The Ontario-native was one of six freshman divers to compete in the event.

"We came here for the experience and to make memories," said Head Diving Coach Russ Dekker. "We did just that. Adele will always be the first freshman in our program's history to make NCAA's and I couldn't be prouder of her for that."

Melamud was one of five freshmen to compete in both the one-meter and three-meter events at NCAA Division I Championships. Three of the five freshmen represented the Southeastern Conference, with the other coming from the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The conclusion of NCAA Championships marks the end of the 2025-26 swimming and diving season. Thank you to all the Bulls fans who followed along and supported the program along the way.


Ohio Swim's DiBetta and Szoke Complete Friday's NCAA Championship Competition
ATLANTA, Georgia – Ohio swim junior Zita Szoke and senior Casadie DiBetta finish their second day of competition at the 2026 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, hosted by Georgia Tech, in Atlanta, Georgia.

In Friday's 200-yard breaststroke, DiBetta (St. Clairsville, Ohio) finished sixth in her preliminary heat, finishing 48th overall with a time of 2:12.39.

In the 50-yard freestyle, DiBetta (Serbia, Becej) finished her preliminary heat in seventh place and finished 49th overall with a time of 22.64.
will swim in the final round. 

DiBetta concluded her Ohio career this morning and finishes as one of the most decorated swimmers in Ohio history.

Szoke has one final swim tomorrow, Saturday, March 21, in the 100-yard freestyle, with prelims beginning at 10 a.m. ET and finals beginning at 6 p.m. Only the top eight finishers in each event will swim in the final round. Both sessions are available on ESPN+.