Kentucky Women and Queens Men Dominate 2026 CSCAA National Invitational Championship
OCALA, Fla. — The University of Kentucky women’s swimming team and Queens University of Charlotte men’s team emerged victorious at the 2026 CSCAA National Invitational Championship, which concluded Saturday night at the Swift facility in Ocala, Florida.
Women’s Championship: Kentucky Secures Title
Kentucky clinched the women’s team title with a total of 553 points, fueled by a strong performance on the final day of competition. Rice University finished as the runner-up with 500.5 points, led by Ella Dyson, who was named the NIC Women’s Athlete of the Year. Ohio State rounded out the top three with 496 points.
Ella Dyson of Rice had a standout meet, sweeping the distance freestyle events, winning the 500, 1000, and 1650-yard freestyle races. Rice head coach Seth Huston was recognized as the NIC Women’s Coach of the Year for his team’s impressive showing.
Men’s Championship: Queens Claims Victory
On the men’s side, Queens University captured the NIC championship with 818.5 points, improving upon their second-place finish from the previous year. The Royals demonstrated their dominance by winning seven individual events throughout the competition. Queens head coach Jeff Dugdale earned the NIC Men’s Coach of the Year award for the second consecutive season.
Ohio State secured second place in the men’s competition with 746.5 points, spearheaded by TJ Frost, who was named the NIC Male Athlete of the Year. Grand Canyon finished third with 631 points.
Key Individual Performances
Women’s 1000 Freestyle
Ella Dyson (Rice) won gold in the women’s 1000 freestyle with a time of 9:52.82. Leonie Tenzer (Queens) finished second (9:54.47), and Talya Erdogan (George Washington) took third (9:57.80). Swimcloud
Men’s 1000 Freestyle
TJ Frost (Ohio State) continued his impressive performance, earning gold in the men’s 1000 freestyle with a time of 9:07.70. Christian Davidson (Towson) finished second (9:12.20), and Yonatan Ahdut (NJIT) placed third (9:14.16). CSCAA
Women’s 1650 Freestyle
Ella Dyson (Rice) completed a sweep of the distance freestyle events, winning the 1650 freestyle in 16:15.25. Leonie Tenzer (Queens) finished second (16:22.21), and Katy Jost (Kentucky) took third (16:26.84). CSCAA
Men’s 1650 Freestyle
TJ Frost (Ohio State) secured gold in the men’s 1650 freestyle with a time of 15:08.45. Christian Davidson (Towson) finished second (15:13.80), and Yonatan Ahdut (NJIT) placed third (15:16.79). CSCAA
Additional Event Winners
- Women’s 100 IM: Anna Keen (Ball State) – 54.35 (NIC RECORD)
- Men’s 100 IM: Mason Francis (Ohio State) – 48.43
- Women’s 200 Backstroke: Molly Donlan (Duke) – 1:54.65
- Men’s 200 Backstroke: Krys Gorski (Ohio State) – 1:41.58 (NIC RECORD)
- Women’s 100 Freestyle: Eliza Lennox (Tulane) – 49.28
- Men’s 100 Freestyle: Daniel Meszaros (Queens) – 43.13
- Women’s 200 Breaststroke: Danika Varda (Ohio State) – 2:09.47 (NIC RECORD)
- Men’s 200 Breaststroke: Carter Dooling (Grand Canyon) – 1:55.55
- Women’s 200 Butterfly: Jessica Eden (Ohio State) – 1:57.74
- Men’s 200 Butterfly: Quinn Cynor (Youngstown State) – 1:45.83
- Women’s 400 Freestyle Relay: Akron – 3:17.66
- Men’s 400 Freestyle Relay: Queens – 2:53.26
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