NYU Men, Emory Women Favored at 2026 NCAA DIII Swimming & Diving Championships

Violets and Eagles projected to win team titles, but several dark horse squads could pull off upsets

Apr. 12, 2026 at 8:37am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting an abstract swimming competition, with sharp, overlapping shapes in shades of blue, green, and white representing the water and athletic movements.A cubist interpretation of the intense competition and dynamic movements of the NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships.Indianapolis Today

The 2026 NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships are set to take place in Indianapolis, with the NYU men's team and Emory women's team entering as the favorites to win team titles. NYU is projected to score 417 points, led by standout swimmers Teddy McQuaid and Teddy Cross, while defending champion Denison could challenge with its strong diving contingent. On the women's side, Emory is seeded first with 412 points and is seeking its 13th national championship, though schools like Kenyon and NYU will look to unseat the Eagles.

Why it matters

The NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships are a highly anticipated annual event, showcasing the top talent in small-college swimming and diving. With several teams and individuals projected to break records and challenge for titles, this year's meet promises thrilling competition and a glimpse at the future stars of the sport.

The details

NYU's men's team is the favorite to win its first national title, led by sophomores Teddy McQuaid and fifth-year Teddy Cross, who are seeded to score 50 points each. However, the defending champion Denison squad could close the gap with its strong diving contingent. On the women's side, Emory is seeking its 13th title and is seeded first with 412 points, thanks to its depth and full roster of 20 athletes. Individual standouts include Cooper Costello of the University of Chicago, who is the national record holder in the 100 fly, and Kaley McIntyre of NYU, who holds national records in the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle events.

  • The 2026 NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana.
  • The official psych sheets for the meet were released on April 12, 2026.

The players

NYU

The NYU men's swimming team is the favorite to win its first national title, led by standout swimmers Teddy McQuaid and Teddy Cross.

Emory

The Emory women's swimming team is seeded first with 412 points and is seeking its 13th national championship.

Cooper Costello

The University of Chicago swimmer is the national record holder in the 100 fly and is seeded first in three individual events.

Kaley McIntyre

The NYU swimmer is seeded first in the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle events and holds national records in all three.

Denison

The defending champion Denison men's team could challenge NYU for the title with its strong diving contingent.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to have the opportunity to compete for our first national title. The team has been working hard all season, and we're ready to leave it all in the pool.”

— Teddy McQuaid, NYU Swimmer

“Emory has a long tradition of excellence in swimming and diving, and we're thrilled to be back in the hunt for another championship. Our depth and experience will be key factors in our success this week.”

— Emory Head Coach

What’s next

The 2026 NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships will take place from April 15-18, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The final results and individual event champions will be announced at the conclusion of the four-day meet.

The takeaway

The 2026 NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships promise to be a thrilling showcase of athletic talent, with several teams and individuals poised to make a splash. While NYU and Emory enter as the favorites, the competition is expected to be fierce, with dark horse teams and individual standouts looking to pull off upsets and cement their legacies in the sport.