Get ready for a thrilling showdown in the pool! Claire Curzan is shaking things up for the 2026 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, sticking with her 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke, and 100 butterfly lineup—the same events she dominated at the ACC Championships. But here's where it gets intriguing: this isn’t just a repeat of her strategy from last year’s ACCs, and it’s a bold move considering the University of Virginia’s star swimmers, like Alex Walsh and Kate Douglass, are known for switching up their event lineups between conference and national meets. Is Curzan playing it safe, or is she setting the stage for something bigger?
Scheduled for Wednesday, March 18 – Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, GA, this championship promises high stakes. Defending champions Virginia are gunning for their 6th consecutive title, and Curzan’s lineup could be a game-changer. For the full scoop, check out Championship Central (https://www.ncaa.com/news/swimming-women/article/2026-02-25/2026-ncaa-di-womens-swimming-and-diving-championship-selection-info-schedule), Pre-Selection Psych Sheets (https://swimswam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-pre-selection-entry-list.pdf), and Live Results (https://swimmeetresults.tech/NCAA-Division-I-Women-2026/).
Curzan’s decision to focus on backstroke events is no surprise—she’s the reigning champion in both the 100 and 200 back, and her U.S. Open Record-breaking performance in the 200 back at the ACC Championships (https://swimswam.com/claire-curzan-breaks-own-ncaa-american-records-with-146-09-200-backstroke/) makes her a favorite. But here’s the twist: while she’s the top returning swimmer in the 50 free with a time of 21.11 from last year’s NCAA Championships, four swimmers—Camille Spink, Torri Huske (https://swimswam.com/bio/torri-huske/), Brady Kendall, and Sara Curtis—are seeded faster this year. Is Curzan avoiding a risky sprint, or is she strategically focusing on her strengths?
And this is the part most people miss: the 100 fly is shaping up to be an epic battle between Curzan and her former Stanford teammate, Torri Huske. Huske is seeded at 48.26, just edging out Curzan’s 48.47. Both swimmers dropped their best times at the ACC Championships, with Huske taking the win. With only three other swimmers—Alex Shackell (49.95), Gigi Johnson (49.95), and Miranda Grana (49.98)—seeded under 49 seconds, the 100 fly is a safer bet for Virginia’s title chase. But will Curzan’s rivalry with Huske push her to new heights, or will it cost her the gold?
The new NCAA Championship schedule also plays into Curzan’s lineup. Last year, the 50 free and 100 back were on different days, while the 100 fly conflicted. This year, the 100 fly moves to day 2, and the 50 free follows the 100 back, avoiding a grueling triple with the 400 medley relay. Is this a strategic scheduling win for Curzan, or just a happy coincidence?
As we gear up for the championships, one thing’s for sure: Claire Curzan is a force to be reckoned with. But with fierce competitors like Torri Huske and Bella Sims (https://swimswam.com/bio/bella-sims/) in the mix, anything can happen. Who do you think will come out on top? Let us know in the comments!
In This Story
- Bella Sims (https://swimswam.com/bio/bella-sims/)
- Claire Curzan (https://swimswam.com/bio/claire-curzan/)
- Torri Huske (https://swimswam.com/bio/torri-huske/)
About Braden Keith
Braden Keith (https://swimswam.com/bio/braden-keith/) is the Editor-in-Chief and co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. With a passion for swimming that began in 2010 through The Swimmers' Circle, Braden brings a wealth of experience to SwimSwam, helping it become a leading voice in the sport. Dive deeper into his story here: (https://swimswam.com/bio/braden-keith/).
