The University of Minnesota is sending ten of its top swimmers and divers to the 2026 Women's NCAA Championships in Atlanta, Georgia, set for March 18-21. Noteworthy participants include Katie McCarthy, who will compete in her third NCAA Championship, along with Rachel Conley, who is making her debut. The divers feature Elna Widerstrom and Vivi Del Angel, both returning to the Championships alongside several first-time competitors, showcasing a promising mix of experience and new talent.

By the Numbers
  • Katie McCarthy has personal bests of 16:05.46 in the 1650 free and 4:06.49 in the 400 IM.
  • Vivi Del Angel is a four-time National Championship participant, qualifying for all three diving events this year.
State of Play
  • The Championships will be held at the McAuley Aquatic Center, hosted by Georgia Tech.
  • Preliminaries start daily at 9:00 AM (CT), with finals at 5:00 PM (CT).
What's Next

As the competition approaches, focus will be on individual performances and potential medals, particularly for returning athletes like McCarthy and Widerstrom. The Gophers aim to build on strong finishes from previous seasons and capitalize on their recent qualifying times to secure podium spots.

Bottom Line

This year's NCAA Championships present a critical opportunity for the Gophers to showcase their talent and depth in swimming and diving. With a blend of experience and debutantes, they'll compete fiercely, aiming for personal bests and potential podium finishes that could elevate the program's national standing.