NYU Women, Denison Men Lead at NCAA Division III Swimming Championships

Costello, Ranile, and O'Donnell Set to Shine in Individual Events on Day 3 Prelims

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:09pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstract swimming competition, with overlapping planes of vibrant blues, greens, and whites representing the water and swimmers in motion.The NCAA Division III Swimming Championships showcase the depth and talent of smaller college programs, with the competition heating up as teams vie for national titles.Chicago Today

The third day of the 2026 NCAA Division III Swimming Championships is underway, with the NYU women and Denison men maintaining their leads in the team standings. Key storylines include Cooper Costello of Chicago aiming to break the 200 fly record, NYU's Nicole Ranile and Maeve O'Donnell seeking individual titles, and a dramatic disqualification in the men's 200 medley relay.

Why it matters

The NCAA Division III Swimming Championships represent the pinnacle of competition for smaller college programs, showcasing the depth and talent of these student-athletes. The outcomes of these events can have a significant impact on the overall team standings and legacy of the participating schools.

The details

In the men's events, Cooper Costello of Chicago is the frontrunner in the 200 fly, looking to break the Division III record. On the women's side, NYU's Nicole Ranile is the defending champion in the 200 fly and the only swimmer to break the 2-minute barrier this season. In the 100 back, NYU teammates Teddy McQuaid and Teddy Cross lead the field, while freshman Maeve O'Donnell has set a new personal best and claimed the top seed. The 200 medley relays saw some early drama, with Denison initially claiming the top seed before being disqualified due to a false start.

  • The 2026 NCAA Division III Swimming Championships are currently underway.
  • The third day of prelims took place on April 11, 2026.

The players

Cooper Costello

A swimmer from the University of Chicago who is the frontrunner in the men's 200 fly, aiming to break the Division III record.

Nicole Ranile

A swimmer from NYU who is the defending champion in the women's 200 fly and the only swimmer to break the 2-minute barrier this season.

Maeve O'Donnell

A freshman swimmer from NYU who has set a new personal best and claimed the top seed in the women's 100 back.

Teddy McQuaid

An NYU swimmer who leads the field in the men's 100 back.

Teddy Cross

An NYU swimmer who leads the field in the men's 100 back alongside his teammate Teddy McQuaid.

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What’s next

The finals of the 2026 NCAA Division III Swimming Championships will take place on the final day of the event, where the individual and team champions will be determined.

The takeaway

The third day of the NCAA Division III Swimming Championships has set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the event, with the NYU women and Denison men maintaining their leads in the team standings. The individual battles, particularly in the 200 fly, 100 back, and 200 medley relay, promise to be thrilling as these talented student-athletes compete for national titles.