Greta Gidley Crowned NCAA Champion in 200 IM, Hope College Celebrates First Swimming Title in 25 Years

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Hope College swimmer Greta Gidley achieved a career-defining moment on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, winning the NCAA Division III championship in the 200-yard individual medley (IM) at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis. Her winning time of 1:59.20 marks Hope College’s first swimming national title in a quarter-century.

A Journey to the Top

Gidley, a fifth-year student-athlete, had finished as the national runner-up in the 200 IM twice before this victory. She entered the race with a clear goal: to break the two-minute barrier and secure the championship. “Honestly, winning that race has been a goal of mine for the past four years and to be able to move out in my last one ever, go a best time, and win was the greatest feeling ever,” Gidley said. “Most importantly I think, I did it my way.”

Race Breakdown

Gidley’s performance showcased her all-around swimming ability. She was fourth after the butterfly and backstroke legs (57.74), then surged into the lead during the breaststroke (32.64) and maintained her position with a strong freestyle split of 28.82, winning the race by two seconds.

From Michigan to Hope

Gidley’s path to the NCAA championship wasn’t always straightforward. She began her collegiate career at the University of Michigan before transferring to Hope College. “Four years ago, I had quit swimming and was looking for somewhere to transfer to in hopes of finding a new place to call home. I was anxious and scared, but God redeemed my story and ended up giving me a life better than anything I could’ve ever imagined,” Gidley explained. “Hope is the greatest place on earth, and I could go on for days about how much this place has changed my life. Truly I’m just so grateful to Hope swim and dive and the entire Hope community for supporting and loving me these past four years.”

Coach Taber Praises Gidley’s Mindset

Hope College coach Jake Taber highlighted Gidley’s mental fortitude as a key factor in her success. “The work had been done. Not just the training, but she has been in a good head space with a healthy perspective. She knows what she is capable of and she went out loving the sport and having a blast with it,” Taber said. “Good things happen when that is in place. She went for it and it was fantastic.”

Other Hope College Performances

Laurel Wasiniak finished 11th in the 50 freestyle (23.14). Wasiniak, along with Makenzie Baldwin, Madi Remenschneider, and Emme D’Errico, placed 11th in the 400 medley relay (3:46.32). Josh Bordovsky also achieved success for the Hope men’s team, earning second-team All-American honors and setting a new school and MIAA record in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 1:47.88 during prelims, and 1:49.10 in finals.

Competition Results

Emory’s Sammi Theile and Kenyon’s Kelsey Van Eldik tied for second place in the 200 IM with times of 2:01.25.