Michigan Women’s Swimming and Diving Team Claims 18th Big Ten Championship Title

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The University of Michigan women’s swimming and diving team secured its 18th Big Ten Championship title on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis. The Wolverines finished with a total of 1,243 points, surpassing Indiana’s 1,084 points to win the championship for the first time since 2018.

Wolverines Dominate Final Day

Michigan showcased a strong performance on the final day of competition, qualifying 12 swimmers for final heats, including eight in the A finals. Several Wolverines achieved personal bests and broke records throughout the meet.

Individual Victories and Record-Breaking Performances

Bella Sims led the charge, winning her second individual Big Ten title in the 200-yard IM with a time of 1:52.81. Letitia Sim and Devon Kitchel followed closely, finishing third and fourth respectively in the same event.

Stephanie Balduccini secured a third-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle, clocking a time of 47.20 seconds, while Brady Kendall finished sixth (47.99 seconds) and Christey Liang tenth (48.40 seconds).

Hannah Bellard successfully defended her Big Ten crown in the 200-yard butterfly, setting new school, Big Ten, and Big Ten Championship records with a remarkable time of 1:50.34. Freshman Montse Spielmann also made her championship final debut, finishing with a time of 1:56.34.

Milla Drakopoulos swam her first championship final in the 200-yard backstroke, finishing seventh with a time of 1:53.98.

Relay Success

The Wolverines concluded the championship with a silver medal in the 400-yard freestyle relay. The team of Stephanie Balduccini, Lexi Greenhawt, Brady Kendall, and Bella Sims combined for a time of 3:07.90.

Bella Sims Named Swimmer of the Championships

Bella Sims was recognized as the Swimmer of the Championships, becoming the first Michigan swimmer to receive this honor since Maggie MacNeil from 2020-2022.

All-Big Ten Honors

A total of ten Wolverines were named to the All-Big Ten team, with eight earning first-team honors.

All-Big Ten First Team

• Alex Shackell, Indiana
• Avery Worobel, Purdue
• Bella Sims, Michigan
• Brady Kendall, Michigan
• Christey Liang, Michigan
• Elna Widerstrom, Minnesota
• Gena Jorgenson, Nebraska
• Grace Hoeper, Indiana
• Hannah Bellard, Michigan
• Kristina Paegle, Indiana
• Leila Fack, Michigan
• Letitia Sim, Michigan
• Lexi Greenhawt, Michigan
• Liberty Clark, Indiana
• Maggie Wanezek, Wisconsin
• Stephanie Balduccini, Michigan
• Vivi Del Angel, Minnesota

All-Big Ten Second Team

• Abby Wanezek, Wisconsin
• Brooke Corrigan, Wisconsin
• Daryn Wright, Purdue
• Hailey Tierney, Wisconsin
• Jonette Lagreid, Indiana
• Lena Hentschel, Ohio State
• Mackenzie Hodges, Indiana
• Maria Ramos Najji, Ohio State
• Mila Nikanorov, Ohio State
• Miranda Grana, Indiana
• Mya Dewitt, Indiana
• Rachel Bockrath, Ohio State
• Rosie Murphy, UCLA
• Sienna Angove, Ohio State

All-Freshman Team

• Adair Shaw, Ohio State
• Alex Shackell, Indiana
• Alisee Pisane, USC
• Bella Brito, USC
• Brooke Corrigan, Wisconsin
• Brooklyn Petit, Ohio State
• Carrie Furbee, Ohio State
• Dora Molnar, USC
• Grace Hoeper, Indiana
• Hannah Newbrook, Ohio State
• Jada Duncan, UCLA
• Justine Delmas, Wisconsin
• Kaylee Bishop, Indiana
• KK LeBlanc, Ohio State
• Liberty Clark, Indiana
• Lucie Delmas, Wisconsin
• Milla Drakopoulos, Michigan
• Montse Spielmann, Michigan
• Zita Bernatsky, Iowa

Looking Ahead

Select Michigan swimmers will compete at the Last Chance Meet on March 1, with locations and start times to be announced.

Final Team Standings

1. No. 4 Michigan – 1,243
2. No. 6 Indiana – 1,084
3. No. 11 Ohio State – 1,066
4. No. 15 Wisconsin – 893
5. No. 12 USC – 768
6. No. 25 Minnesota – 701
7. No. 22 UCLA – 605.5
8. Purdue – 497
9. Northwestern – 446
10. Nebraska – 433.5
11. Rutgers – 379.5
12. Iowa – 284
13. Penn State – 216
14. Illinois – 195.5