5 College Swimming Dual Meets to Watch During 2026
For most college swimmers, “There’s no place like home for the holidays.” After months of hard work and grinding competition, many athletes will return home for a brief holiday respite. However, the focus on the challenges ahead is not lost, an athletes will look to the second half of their seasons. As the New Year rolls in, there are several exciting dual meets on the college swimming horizon. Here’s a look at the most intriguing.
5. Tennessee at Georgia – Jan 24
Our list starts with an old-fashioned SEC matchup. Both teams have traded wins over the last few years, and tight finishes have been the norm. This year should be another great one, with both schools’ men’s and women’s squads ranked in the top 10.
On the men’s side, the meet should be a clash of styles. Georgia’s Luca Urlando will be a key storyline, looking to put on a show again after setting an American record in the 200 fly at this meet a year ago. On the other side, the Volunteers’ sprint depth will be headlined by Gui Caribe and Nikoli Blackman.
On the women’s side, the Bulldogs will look to avenge three straight losses to the Volunteers. Tennessee junior Camille Spink and sophomore McKenzie Siroky dominated the last matchup, winning a combined five individual races. Will the addition of star freshman freestyler Kennedi Dobson help Georgia turn it around?
4. Virginia at N.C. State – Jan. 24
N.C State has created one of the best atmospheres in college swimming at Willis R. Casey Aquatic Center, as shown by this year’s “Raleigh Rumble.” If anyone can handle it, however, it’s five-time NCAA women’s champion Virginia. UVA’s women have looked superb this season, cruising to an undefeated record. The Cavaliers’ National Team stars have shined, with Claire Curzan and Leah Hayes putting together strong seasons, among others. The Wolfpack has its own firepower, though, as freshman Eneli Jefimova is a world-class breaststroker and Leah Shackley ranks among the world’s premier backstrokers.
3. Indiana at Michigan – Jan. 9
Another conference rivalry comes in at No. 3 on this list, as two of the Big Ten’s finest face off. The Hoosiers have ruled the matchup in recent years, winning three straight on the women’s side and four consecutive on the men’s side. But with the Wolverines’ performance this year, especially on the women’s side, a quality meet is expected.
Zalan Sarkany and Owen McDonald are top guns for the Hoosiers, who earned a 58-point victory last year. But Michigan is moving in the right direction and will rely on freestyler Antoine Sauve and breaststroker Luka Mledonovic to close the gap this year.
Things could be more interesting on the women’s side. The addition of former Florida Gator Bella Sims has propelled the Michigan women to their first top-5 national ranking since 2019-20. Junior Miranda Grana and the Hoosiers will be a tough challenge for the Wolverines.
2. Louisville at Texas – Jan. 23
Texas, the reigning NCAA men’s champ, will take on Louisville in Austin. The Longhorns have breezed through their early schedule on both the men’s and women’s sides, defeating both Alabama and Tennessee. In the Cardinals, the Longhorns will battle squads ranked in the top-10 in the country.
Texas is armed with incredible depth, and world champion Hubert Kos is expected back for the college scene after excelling in World Cup action during the fall. Louisville has received a spark from freshman Nikita Sheremet, the world junior champion in the 50 freestyle.
In the women’t meet, sophomores Campbell Chase and Jillian Cox will look to lift the Longhorns while Julia Dennis is an elite sprinter for Louisville.
1. Cal at Stanford – Jan. 30/31
There’s nothing quite like Cal-Stanford. For decades, both teams have circled this matchup on the calendar. It’s one of the longest-lasting rivalries in sports, between two of its most established swim programs. This matchup should be another great chapter in the teams’ history.
Stanford’s men earned a win over the Bears in November, competing in a tri-meet with Arizona State. Freshman Ethan Ekk and Jason Zhao won the 1000 and 200 freestyles, respectively. Sophomore Yamato Okadome has enjoyed a strong first half of the college season and will lead the breaststroke events for the Golden Bears.
The Cardinal women have been dominant against the Bears of late, winning three of the team’s last four matchups by 50+ points. That includes the meet in November, where multiple wins by stars Caroline Bricker and Torri Huske spearheaded a 43-point victory. But freshman Claire Weinstein has provided a spark for the Bears, who have an abundance of young talent.