NC State Closes 25-26 Season With Ninth Place Finish at NCAA Championships

Saturday, March 21

Atlanta, GA

10:00 a.m. (Prelims) | 6:03 p.m. (Finals)

NC State

NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving Championships

NC State Closes 25-26 Season With Ninth Place Finish at NCAA Championships

3/21/2026 10:02:00 PM | Swimming

ATLANTA, GA - The NC State women's swimming and diving team closed out its 2025-26 season at the NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships, held March 18–21 at the McAuley Aquatic Center.

The Wolfpack extended its streak to seven consecutive top-10 finishes, placing ninth overall with 196.5 points.

Over four days of competition, NC State recorded 25 All-America honors, highlighted by eight podium finishes, one national title, seven personal bests, two school records, and 11 top-10 program performances.

On the final day, sophomores Leah Shackley and Erika Pelaez once again shared the podium, this time in the 200 backstroke. Pelaez earned a bronze medal with a time of 1:49.08, while Shackley placed seventh in 1:49.74. The duo has now reached the podium together in the event in back-to-back seasons.

Morning Recap:
Sophomore Lily Christianson opened the day by winning her heat of the 100 freestyle, posting her third personal-best time of the week (47.95), which ranks ninth in program history. She finished 25th overall. Senior Olivia Nel placed 18th, followed by Cassie Moses in 38th in their final collegiate swims for the Wolfpack.

Senior Kennedy Noble delivered a strong performance in her final morning session, finishing ninth in the 200 backstroke to earn second-team All-America honors. Noble concludes her career as a 12-time All-American.

The Wolfpack capped the morning with a second-team All-America finish in the 400 freestyle relay, as the quartet of Christianson, Pelaez, Tyler Driscoll, and Nel closed out the event.

Looking Ahead:
The NC State men's team will take the stage next, competing at the NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships from March 25–28 at the McAuley Aquatic Center.

All-American Tally