MINNEAPOLIS – The 2026 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Swimming & Diving Championships continued on Thursday from the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center on the campus of the University of Minnesota.
Following a morning session of preliminary action, MIAC participants geared up for finals in the 50- and 500-yard freestyles, 200-yard individual medley, 400-yard medley relay, and the women's 1-meter diving competition.
Gustavus picked up wins in the men's 50 freestyle and 200 IM, as Braden Ripken and Aidynn Haverman earned conference titles in their respective events, while Saint John's senior Brayden Slavik successfully defended his MIAC championship in the men's 500 freestyle with an NCAA B Cut time of 4:29.70. In the women's events, Saint Benedict junior Haley Zelen won the 50 free in 23.18, Carleton first-year Julia Michalski took top honors in the 200 IM with a 2:09.00, and Gustavus first-year Annika Beck touched the wall first in the 500 free with a time of 5:06.82. Carleton sophomore Nina Schwab won her second consecutive conference title in the women's 1-meter diving competition in record-setting fashion, setting a new meet mark with a score of 483.15.
In the evening's final events - the men's and women's 400 medley relay - the Gusties and Bennies picked up victories with times of 3:20.46 and 3:51.91, respectively.
Following each of Thursday evening's competitions, a short awards ceremony was held. The top three finishers in each event earned All-Conference honors, while individual finishers 4-6 and the fourth-place relay team earned honorable mention distinction. Complete results can be found here.
Gustavus now leads both the men's and women's team standings heading into Friday with scores of 328 and 252, respectively.
Friday's prelim rounds are set to begin at 10:30 a.m., with the next set of finals scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY RESULTS
Men's 500 Freestyle
1. Brayden Slavik, Saint John's - 4:29.70 (B)
2. Logan Cyr, Gustavus - 4:40.76
3. Carson Rotter, Carleton - 4:43.66
Women's 500 Freestyle
1. Annika Beck, Gustavus - 5:06.82
2. Molly Nuckolls, Macalester - 5:10.73
3. Hannah Zurn, Macalester - 5:11.50
Men's 200 Individual Medley
1. Aidynn Haverman, Gustavus - 1:52.80
2. Declan Vahey, Gustavus - 1:54.04
3. Ben Kell, Gustavus - 1:54.88
Women's 200 Individual Medley
1. Julia Michalski, Carleton - 2:09.00
2. Maya Tellez, Macalester - 2:10.38
3. Paige Steenblock - 2:10.95
Men's 50 Freestyle
1. Braden Ripken, Gustavus - 20.70
2. Carsten Reuter, Saint John's - 20.83
3. Nick Starcevich, St. Olaf - 20.85
Women's 50 Freestyle
1. Haley Zelen, Saint Benedict - 23.18 INV
2. Anna Schottler, Saint Benedict - 23.81
3. Katelyn Siers, Gustavus - 24.09
Women's 1-Meter Diving
1. Nina Schwab, Carleton - 483.15 *
2. Hailey Westrup, Carleton - 449.75
3. Erica Johnson, St. Olaf - 420.30
Men's 400 Medley Relay
1. Gustavus - 3:20.46
Josh Wallin / Braden Ripken / Aiden Carlson / Logan Cyr
2. Saint John's - 3:25.61
Brayden Slavik / Clay Megaw / Jackson Hovda / Carsten Reuter
3. Macalester - 3:26.55
Kean Pajarillaga / Will St. John / Tommy Moore / Max Taufen
Women's 400 Medley Relay
1. Saint Benedict - 3:51.91
Mary Morris / Megan Bartels / Haley Zelen / Anna Schottler
2. Carleton - 3:53.57
Grace Hou / Emma Yao / Julia Michalski / Maya Geddes
3. St. Olaf - 3:54.39
Olivia Small / Paige Steenblock / McKenna Hultgren / Katie Homme
* Meet Record
(B) NCAA B Cut Time
INV 2025 NCAA Invite Time
Men's Team Scores Through Thursday
1. Gustavus - 328
2. Saint John's - 213
3. Carleton - 208.5
4. Macalester - 167.5
5. St. Olaf - 141
6. Hamline - 95
Women's Team Scores Through Thursday
1. Gustavus - 252
2. St. Olaf - 242
3. Macalester - 210.5
4. Carleton - 207
5. Saint Benedict - 173
6. St. Catherine - 101.5
7. Hamline - 72
8. Concordia - 70
9. Augsburg - 18
ADMISSION INFORMATION
All tickets will be sold and purchased online via HomeTown Ticketing. There will not be cash sales at the venue; however, spectators can purchase tickets using a computer or mobile device at any time, including while at the venue. To purchase tickets at any time, click the MIAC's HomeTown Ticketing site.
Single-session adult tickets are $12 each, while student tickets are $6. (Note: additional HomeTown Ticketing convenience and credit card fees will be added during checkout). Children ages five and under do not require a ticket.
As a reminder, glass is strictly prohibited inside the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center. Please do not bring any glass water bottles or vases into the venue.
GOING PAPERLESS
Fans will again be able to download heat sheets and other meet information directly from the championship home page to their smart devices or print at home ahead of time. QR codes will be posted at the venue for fans to scan as needed, and links will be updated with the latest information as soon as it is determined after each session.
CHAMPIONSHIP APPAREL
Official championship apparel is available for online purchase via the MIAC Shop powered by UNRestricted MKTG. The online MIAC Shop features officially licensed short-sleeve t-shirts, long-sleeve t-shirts, and hooded sweatshirts to commemorate the 2026 conference championship meet. Team champion apparel will be added and available for purchase shortly after the meet.