University of Georgia Athletics
Friday, March 20
Atlanta, Ga.
10 a.m. (Prelims) | 6 p.m. (Finals)
University of Georgia
vs
NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving Championships
Photo by: Conor Dillon/UGAAA
Dobson Finishes Third in 500 Freestyle at NCAAs
March 20, 2026 | Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
ATLANTA – Freshman Kennedi Dobson earned her fourth All-America citation of the week with a third-place finish in the 500-yard freestyle Friday evening at the 2026 NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving Championships at the McAuley Aquatic Center.
With one day of competition remaining, Georgia stands 13th with 54 points.
Fast Facts
500y Freestyle – Dobson initially hovered between fourth and fifth place before entering a three-way battle with eventual winner Claire Weinstein of California and Jillian Cox of Texas. Dobson's third place time of 4:32.24 was the second-fastest in program history, trailing only the program record 4:30.70 she posted at last month's SEC Championships. The Levittown, Pennsylvania native has now earned four All-America honors in her rookie campaign. Additionally, Georgia has produced a First Team All-American in the 500 free in 18 of the past 22 seasons.
In prelims, Dobson placed third with a 4:34.73, while fellow freshman Clarke Neace placed 27th with a personal-best time of 4:41.72, followed by sophomore Marie Landreneau in 34th place with a time of 4:43.46.
200y Breaststroke – Freshman Elizabeth Nawrocki finished 39th overall with a time of 2:10.95.
Up Next
The NCAA Championships conclude Saturday with the 200y individual medley, 100y freestyle, 200y butterfly, 200y backstroke, platform diving, and 400y freestyle relay. Senior Ieva Maluka is seeded 18th in the 200y butterfly, while the 400 free relay is seeded 22nd and Landreneau is seeded 40th in the 200y IM.
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
100y Backstroke
1. Claire Curzan, Virginia – 48.24
2. Bella Sims, Michigan – 49.62
2. Maggie Wanezek, Wisconsin – 49.62
200y Breaststroke
1. Lucy Bell, Stanford – 2:02.38
2. Aimee Canny, Virginia – 2:03.09
3. Kaelyn Gridley, Duke – 2:05.24
3. Anastasia Gorbenko, Louisville – 2:05.24
39. Elizabeth Nawrocki, Georgia – 2:10.95
500 Freestyle
1. Claire Weinstein, California – 4:30.09
2. Jillian Cox, Texas – 4:31.56
3. Kennedi Dobson, Georgia – 4:32.24
27. Clarke Neace, Georgia – 4:41.72
34. Marie Landreneau, Georgia – 4:43.46
50y Freestyle
1. Torri Huske, Stanford – 20.66
2. Sara Curtis, Virginia – 20.74
3. Camille Spink, Tennessee – 20.98
3-meter Diving
1. Sophie Verzyl, South Carolina – 387.90
2. Desharne Bent-Ashmeil, Tennessee – 382.25
3. Elna Widerstrom, Minnesota – 374.35
400y Medley Relay
1. Virginia, 3:20.66
2. Tennessee, 3:23.79
3. Michigan, 3:24.44
Standings
1. Virginia, 437.5
2. Texas, 273
3. Stanford, 242.5
4. Tennessee, 240.5
5. Michigan, 228
6. California, 199
7. Indiana, 176
8. Louisville, 144.5
9. NC State, 141.5
10. Florida, 113.5
13. Georgia, 54
With one day of competition remaining, Georgia stands 13th with 54 points.
Fast Facts
500y Freestyle – Dobson initially hovered between fourth and fifth place before entering a three-way battle with eventual winner Claire Weinstein of California and Jillian Cox of Texas. Dobson's third place time of 4:32.24 was the second-fastest in program history, trailing only the program record 4:30.70 she posted at last month's SEC Championships. The Levittown, Pennsylvania native has now earned four All-America honors in her rookie campaign. Additionally, Georgia has produced a First Team All-American in the 500 free in 18 of the past 22 seasons.
In prelims, Dobson placed third with a 4:34.73, while fellow freshman Clarke Neace placed 27th with a personal-best time of 4:41.72, followed by sophomore Marie Landreneau in 34th place with a time of 4:43.46.
200y Breaststroke – Freshman Elizabeth Nawrocki finished 39th overall with a time of 2:10.95.
Up Next
The NCAA Championships conclude Saturday with the 200y individual medley, 100y freestyle, 200y butterfly, 200y backstroke, platform diving, and 400y freestyle relay. Senior Ieva Maluka is seeded 18th in the 200y butterfly, while the 400 free relay is seeded 22nd and Landreneau is seeded 40th in the 200y IM.
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
100y Backstroke
1. Claire Curzan, Virginia – 48.24
2. Bella Sims, Michigan – 49.62
2. Maggie Wanezek, Wisconsin – 49.62
200y Breaststroke
1. Lucy Bell, Stanford – 2:02.38
2. Aimee Canny, Virginia – 2:03.09
3. Kaelyn Gridley, Duke – 2:05.24
3. Anastasia Gorbenko, Louisville – 2:05.24
39. Elizabeth Nawrocki, Georgia – 2:10.95
500 Freestyle
1. Claire Weinstein, California – 4:30.09
2. Jillian Cox, Texas – 4:31.56
3. Kennedi Dobson, Georgia – 4:32.24
27. Clarke Neace, Georgia – 4:41.72
34. Marie Landreneau, Georgia – 4:43.46
50y Freestyle
1. Torri Huske, Stanford – 20.66
2. Sara Curtis, Virginia – 20.74
3. Camille Spink, Tennessee – 20.98
3-meter Diving
1. Sophie Verzyl, South Carolina – 387.90
2. Desharne Bent-Ashmeil, Tennessee – 382.25
3. Elna Widerstrom, Minnesota – 374.35
400y Medley Relay
1. Virginia, 3:20.66
2. Tennessee, 3:23.79
3. Michigan, 3:24.44
Standings
1. Virginia, 437.5
2. Texas, 273
3. Stanford, 242.5
4. Tennessee, 240.5
5. Michigan, 228
6. California, 199
7. Indiana, 176
8. Louisville, 144.5
9. NC State, 141.5
10. Florida, 113.5
13. Georgia, 54
Players Mentioned
Free / Back
/ Women's 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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