NMU Diver Ceglinski Earns All-America Honors at NCAA Championships

Junior Kalina Ceglinski shines with second-team All-America finishes in 1-meter and 3-meter diving events.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 7:11am

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Northern Michigan University junior diver Kalina Ceglinski concluded a standout performance at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, earning second-team All-America honors in both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events. Her success highlights the growing competitiveness of mid-major programs on the national stage.

Why it matters

Ceglinski's achievements demonstrate the rising prominence of mid-major universities in collegiate swimming and diving, challenging the historical dominance of larger programs. This trend is fueled by factors like improved training facilities, recruiting strategies, and a focus on individualized athlete development.

The details

Ceglinski qualified for the consolation finals in the 1-meter prelims with a score of 396.25, finishing 15th. She then improved her performance in the 'B' final, achieving a score of 412.85 to finish third. Earlier in the competition, she earned her first All-America honor on the 3-meter board, finishing 9th overall. Other NMU athletes, including junior Evangeline Pierce and Santi, also represented the Wildcats at the championships.

  • Ceglinski qualified for the consolation finals in the 1-meter prelims on March 10.
  • Ceglinski finished third in the 1-meter 'B' final on March 11.
  • Ceglinski earned her first All-America honor on the 3-meter board on March 9.

The players

Kalina Ceglinski

A junior diver at Northern Michigan University who earned second-team All-America honors in both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events at the NCAA Championships.

Evangeline Pierce

A junior swimmer at Northern Michigan University who represented the Wildcats in the 200 backstroke at the NCAA Championships.

Santi

A swimmer at Northern Michigan University who competed in the 500 free and 200 free events at the NCAA Championships.

Northern Michigan University

A mid-major university whose athletes, including Kalina Ceglinski, are making a significant impact on the national stage in collegiate swimming and diving.

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What’s next

The NCAA will announce the final team standings and individual event champions following the conclusion of the championships.

The takeaway

Kalina Ceglinski's success at the NCAA Championships showcases the growing competitiveness of mid-major programs in collegiate swimming and diving, challenging the traditional dominance of larger universities. This trend is driven by factors like improved training facilities, focused recruiting, and a commitment to individualized athlete development.