GCU tallies 7 medals in day 2, moves into 1st place

Grand Canyon University Athletics delivers strong performances at Big West Championships

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Grand Canyon University's men's swimming and diving team had a standout second day at the 2026 Big West Conference Championships, tallying seven medals and moving into first place in the team standings. The Lopes produced multiple podium finishes, season bests, and personal records across a variety of events.

Why it matters

GCU's performance on day two of the Big West Championships demonstrates the team's depth and versatility, positioning them well to capture the conference title. The Lopes' success highlights the program's continued growth and competitiveness within the Big West.

The details

In the 200-yard IM, Jasu Ovaskainen finished second with a season-best time of 1:46.69, while Carter Dooling added a third-place finish in a personal-best 1:47.75. In the 50-yard freestyle, Alex Volkov took second in a personal-best 19.44, Guillermo Carrey placed third in 19.58, and Mario Perez finished fifth in 19.63. On the diving boards, Omar Elsayed earned a runner-up finish in the 3-meter competition, and Bryce Porter added a fifth-place finish. The Lopes closed the night with a season-best performance in the 200-yard freestyle relay, as the quartet of Perez, Volkov, Eli Cohen, and Carrey combined for a 1:17.54, the second-fastest time in program history.

  • On Thursday night, the finals session of the 2026 Big West Conference Championships took place.
  • Through Thursday's events, GCU leads the team standings with 319 points, followed by Hawaii with 302 points and UC San Diego with 207 points.

The players

Jasu Ovaskainen

A GCU swimmer who delivered a season-best 1:46.69 to finish second in the 200-yard IM.

Carter Dooling

A GCU swimmer who added a third-place finish in the 200-yard IM with a personal-best time of 1:47.75.

Alex Volkov

A GCU swimmer who took second in the 50-yard freestyle with a personal-best time of 19.44.

Guillermo Carrey

A GCU swimmer who placed third in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 19.58.

Omar Elsayed

A GCU diver who earned a runner-up finish in the 3-meter competition.

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What’s next

The Lopes will continue their pursuit of the Big West Conference title on Friday, the third day of the championships.

The takeaway

GCU's strong performance on day two of the Big West Championships, including multiple podium finishes, season bests, and personal records, demonstrates the team's depth and competitiveness, positioning them well to capture the conference title.