University of Georgia Athletics
Wednesday, March 18
Atlanta, Ga.
10 a.m. (Early Heats) | 6 p.m. (Finals)
University of Georgia
vs
NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving Championships
Photo by: Conor Dillon/UGAAA
Bulldogs Post Strong Opening Day at NCAA Championships
March 18, 2026 | Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
ATLANTA – With three All-American performances on the first day of competition, the University of Georgia women's swimming and diving team opened strongly at the 2026 NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving Championships Wednesday at the McAuley Aquatic Center.
Following one night of competition, Georgia ranks 10th overall with 34 points.
Fast Facts
1,650y Freestyle – Freshmen Kennedi Dobson and Clarke Neace each earned their first career All-America citations in the mile. Dobson placed sixth with a time of 15:46.97, the second-fastest of her career. Neace finished 14th overall with a time of 16:07.60, taking second in her morning session heat.
800y Freestyle Relay – Seniors Ieva Maluka and Shea Furse, sophomore Marie Landreneau, and Dobson finished ninth with a time of 6:55.65, earning Second Team All-America honors. Maluka led off with a split of 1:44.66, while Dobson closed at 1:43.39, tying with Furse for the Bulldogs' fastest split.
Up Next
The NCAA Championships continue Thursday with the 100y butterfly, 400y individual medley, 200y freestyle, 100y breaststroke, 1-meter diving, and 200y freestyle relay.
Dobson is seeded 10th in the 200y freestyle, while Landreneau ranks 22nd in the event. Maluka is seeded 20th in the 400y IM, freshman Elizabeth Nawrocki is seeded 43rd in the 100y breaststroke, and the 200y free relay ranks 20th.
Prelims and early heats of the relay finals will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the full finals session at 6 p.m. Live coverage of the NCAA Championships will stream live on ESPN+, with live results available here and on MeetMobile.
Events
1,650y Freestyle
1. Jillian Cox, Texas – 15:32.26
2. Claire Weinstein, California – 15:36.52
3. Katie Grimes, Virginia – 15:42.65
6. Kennedi Dobson, Georgia – 15:46.97
14. Clarke Neace, Georgia – 16:07.60
200y Medley Relay
1. Virginia, 1:31.67
2. Stanford, 1:32.35
2. Louisville, 1:32.35
800y Freestyle Relay
1. Virginia, 6:45.21
2. Texas, 6:46.91
3. California, 6:47.68
9. Georgia, 6:55.65
Standings
1. Virginia, 100
2. Texas, 89
3. Stanford, 59
3. Louisville, 59
5. Michigan, 56
6. Tennessee, 52
7. California, 49
8. Indiana, 46
9. Ohio State, 39
10. Georgia, 34
Following one night of competition, Georgia ranks 10th overall with 34 points.
Fast Facts
1,650y Freestyle – Freshmen Kennedi Dobson and Clarke Neace each earned their first career All-America citations in the mile. Dobson placed sixth with a time of 15:46.97, the second-fastest of her career. Neace finished 14th overall with a time of 16:07.60, taking second in her morning session heat.
800y Freestyle Relay – Seniors Ieva Maluka and Shea Furse, sophomore Marie Landreneau, and Dobson finished ninth with a time of 6:55.65, earning Second Team All-America honors. Maluka led off with a split of 1:44.66, while Dobson closed at 1:43.39, tying with Furse for the Bulldogs' fastest split.
Up Next
The NCAA Championships continue Thursday with the 100y butterfly, 400y individual medley, 200y freestyle, 100y breaststroke, 1-meter diving, and 200y freestyle relay.
Dobson is seeded 10th in the 200y freestyle, while Landreneau ranks 22nd in the event. Maluka is seeded 20th in the 400y IM, freshman Elizabeth Nawrocki is seeded 43rd in the 100y breaststroke, and the 200y free relay ranks 20th.
Prelims and early heats of the relay finals will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the full finals session at 6 p.m. Live coverage of the NCAA Championships will stream live on ESPN+, with live results available here and on MeetMobile.
Events
1,650y Freestyle
1. Jillian Cox, Texas – 15:32.26
2. Claire Weinstein, California – 15:36.52
3. Katie Grimes, Virginia – 15:42.65
6. Kennedi Dobson, Georgia – 15:46.97
14. Clarke Neace, Georgia – 16:07.60
200y Medley Relay
1. Virginia, 1:31.67
2. Stanford, 1:32.35
2. Louisville, 1:32.35
800y Freestyle Relay
1. Virginia, 6:45.21
2. Texas, 6:46.91
3. California, 6:47.68
9. Georgia, 6:55.65
Standings
1. Virginia, 100
2. Texas, 89
3. Stanford, 59
3. Louisville, 59
5. Michigan, 56
6. Tennessee, 52
7. California, 49
8. Indiana, 46
9. Ohio State, 39
10. Georgia, 34
Players Mentioned
Free / Back
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Swimming & Diving
Free / IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free / Fly / IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Breast / IM
/ Swimming & Diving
Free / Back
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