2026 NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving Championships: Pre-Selection Psych Sheets Released

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The 2026 Women's NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships are set to make a splash, with the pre-selection psych sheets revealing some intriguing choices and shifts in strategy. Notable entries include Torri Huske opting for the 50 free over defending her 200 IM title, Bella Sims choosing the 400 IM, and Claire Curzan adding the 100 fly to her lineup. The Virginia Cavaliers dominate the relay seeds, while several defending individual champions look to retain their crowns. However, the NCAA's new qualifying window has shaken up the competition, with 75 women and 86 men earning automatic berths.

Why it matters

The pre-selection psych sheets provide a glimpse into the strategic decisions made by top swimmers as they prepare for the 2026 NCAA Championships. These choices reflect the impact of the new event schedule, which has influenced some athletes' event selections. The competition is expected to be fierce, with the Virginia Cavaliers looking to defend their relay titles and several individual champions aiming to repeat their success.

The details

Torri Huske, the 200 IM NCAA champion, has made a strategic shift, opting for the 50 free instead of defending her title. This decision is influenced by the NCAA's new event schedule, which has Huske racing the 100 free on the final day. She'll be seeded second in the 50 free, chasing Tennessee's Camille Spink. Bella Sims, the 2024 NCAA 200 free champion, has chosen the 400 IM on Day 2, showcasing her versatility. This decision comes after winning the Big Ten title in the 400 IM, where she set a time of 3:58.02. Claire Curzan, fresh from breaking the NCAA and American Record in the 200 back, has selected the 100 fly as her third event, adapting to the new schedule. She was the runner-up in the 50 free last season. Anna Moesch, a Virginia standout, is having a historic season, leading the 100 and 200 free seeds. She's also entered the 50 free, adding to her impressive lineup. Aimee Canny has made a surprising move, opting for the 400 IM over the 200 free on Day 2, despite a new lifetime best in the 200 free at ACCs. She'll be racing the 200 breast, 200 IM, and 400 IM. Anastasia Gorbenko, a versatile swimmer, will compete in the 100 and 200 breast and the 200 IM, where she holds the top seed. Mizuki Hirai, a Tennessee freshman, will focus on the 100s, a strategy consistent with her SEC lineup.

• The 2026 Women's NCAA Championships will take place from March 18-21 at Georgia Tech's McAuley Aquatic Center.

What’s next

Stay tuned as the 2026 Women's NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships competition unfolds, and feel free to share your thoughts on the new event schedule and its impact on the championship landscape.