Elkhart, IN – The University of the Cumberlands men's swimming made program history as they compiled a NAIA National Runner-Up finish to close out the 2026 NAIA Swimming & Diving Championships Saturday night.  The Patriots tallied 397 points, while Brandon Holder captured a national title in the 200 back.

After finishing runner-up in the 100 back, Brandon Holder sprinted out the lead in the 200 back. The freshman clocked a 1:45.61 to capture his first individual national title and the Patriots third of these championship. It also was the second fastest time in program history. Ruthiik Satti touched the wall in 1:46.46 to place fourth and capture All-American honors.

 

NATIONAL CHAMPION?? Brandon Holder becomes an NAIA National Champion in the 200 Back after swimming a 1:45.61!#OneBigTeam | #LTL pic.twitter.com/xElseFi2p4

— UC Patriot Swimming & Diving (@UCPatriots_Swim) March 7, 2026

Cumberlands followed that up with a trio of scorers in the 100 free.  Titouan Bernot led the way for UC clocking a 43.74 to capture their place and his third individual All-American honor.  Garnering multiple All-Americans Alexander Poulsen placed fourth with a time of 43.81.  Arvid Farro touched the wall in 44.98 to place 12^th overall.

The Patriots had a trio of scorers in the 200 fly.  Juan Pablo Ramirez Zapata clocked the second fastest time in program history 1:48.66 to finish sixth and garner All-American honors.  Zsombor Bene touched the wall in a season-best time of 1:49.49 to place 11^th, while Josh Riegler finished 13^th with a time of 1:51.21. 

In the 100 breast Fabrizio Pacioni clocked a 2:02.92 to finish 11^th. 

UC had a pair of scorers in the 1650 free.  Sergio Saldamando Martinez clocked a 16:08.16 to place 11^th, while Will Gilbert's time of 16:19.92 earned the senior a 15^th place finish.

In the final event of the championship, the 400 free relay, Bernot led off with a 43.88 and Adam Geddis split a 44.36 before Farro clocked a 43.99.  Poulsen anchored the relay with a 42.66 as UC garnered a third place finish to solidify second place in the team standings.

This marks the first time in program history that UC had three different swimmers capture a national title at the same championships (Bernot – 500 free, Satti – 100 back, and Holder – 200 Back).

For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on Twitter – @UC_Patriots and @UCPatsGameday, Instagram – @UCPatriots, TikTok – @ucpatriots, YouTube – Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook by searching University of the Cumberlands Athletics.