Elkhart, IN – The UC women's swimming and diving team posted four NAIA All-American  performances, including a national champion in the 500 free, to climb to third place in the team standings midway through the 2026 NAIA National Championships Thursday night.  The Patriots have tallied 167 points to be tied with St. Thomas for third in the team standings.
 
UC opened finals with a trio of scorers in the 500 free.  Freshman Bella Hoare, led from wire-to-wire, to capture her first individual national title with a school record time of 4:56.45.  That time is the second fastest in NAIA Championship history. 

 

NATIONAL CHAMPION?? Bella Hoare wins the Women's 500 Free with a best time of 4:56.45!#OneBigTeam | #LTL pic.twitter.com/tSR6GMdFLv

— UC Patriot Swimming & Diving (@UCPatriots_Swim) March 5, 2026

Juliana Lopez Morales clocked a 5:01.75 to place fourth overall and garner All-American honors.  That time was the fifth fastest time in program history.  Ugne Takuseviciute followed by winning the consolation final, clocking a season-best time of 5:04.77.

In three-meter diving, Morgan Schraudner tallied 251.25 points to break the school record during prelims.  The freshman bested that mark scoring a 253.50 in finals to notch a third place finish and All-American honors.

Cumberlands also garnered All-American honors in the 200 free relay.  Calin Ullern opened with a 24.38, while Takuseviciute followed splitting a 23.78.  Alicja Sedlak split a 23.93 as the third leg, before Sarah Zoellner anchored with a 23.76 to earn a sixth-place finish.  The quartet touched the wall in 1:35.85, which is a season-best mark.

Zoellner also won the consolation final of 200 IM, touching the wall in 2:07.18 to earn nine points for the Patriots.  Megan Schoenlein went 2:08.14, while Helena Jarosz clocked a 2:09.09 to place 11^th and 13^th, respectively.

In the 50 free, Ullern clocked a season-best time of 23.98 to finish 11^th.

Defending champion Keiser leads the  team standings with 238 points, while SCAD is in second with 188 points.

The Patriots return to the water Friday, March 6^th, for the third of competition at the NAIA Championship.  Prelims are at 9 a.m. with finals beginning at 5 p.m.  Fans can catch all the action from Elkhart, IN here.
 
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