UMass Women's Swim and Dive Team Earns First MAC Medal

Minutewomen conclude historic season with seventh-place finish at conference championships

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Massachusetts women's swim and dive team concluded its 2025–2026 season at the Mid-American Conference Championships in Akron, Ohio, marking a historic milestone as the program competed in the MAC for the first time. UMass finished seventh overall, led by junior Maria Grishaeva's third-place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke, the first medal in program history at the MAC championships.

Why it matters

The Minutewomen's performance at the MAC championships represents a significant step forward for the program, which was competing in the conference for the first time. Despite facing off against some of the MAC's powerhouse teams, UMass showed it can be competitive in the new league, breaking program records and earning the first individual medal in school history.

The details

UMass totaled 195 points at the four-day championships, led by Grishaeva's bronze medal in the 200-yard breaststroke. Freshman Kate Baranova also had a strong showing, taking sixth in the 100-yard breaststroke with the second-fastest time in program history. The Minutewomen's 400-yard medley relay team set a new school record with a sixth-place finish, while the 200-yard medley relay and 800-yard freestyle relay teams also earned top-seven results.

  • The championships took place from Wednesday, Feb. 25 to Saturday, Feb. 28 in Akron, Ohio.
  • UMass concluded its 2025–2026 season at the MAC championships.

The players

Maria Grishaeva

A junior standout who made history by earning the first individual medal in UMass women's swim and dive program history with a third-place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke.

Kate Baranova

A freshman who took sixth place in the 100-yard breaststroke, recording the second-fastest time in program history.

Akron

The host school and perennial Mid-American Conference powerhouse, having won 12 championships in 13 years under head coach Brian Peresie.

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What they’re saying

“From breaking records to earning the first-ever podium finish, the Minutewomen ended the season with hope for a comfortable future in the MAC.”

— Olivia Thibodeaux (dailycollegian.com)

What’s next

The Minutewomen will look to build on their historic 2025-2026 season and continue improving as they enter their second year in the Mid-American Conference.

The takeaway

UMass women's swim and dive team's performance at the MAC championships, including its first individual medal and several record-breaking swims, demonstrates the program's ability to compete at a high level in its new conference and provides optimism for the team's future in the league.