North Carolina State University Athletics
Nineteen Athletes Get Set to Compete at U.S. National Swimming Championships
7/25/2026 11:16:00 AM | Swimming
IRVINE, CA. - The NC State Wolfpack will be well represented at the 2026 Toyota U.S. National Championships, sending 17 current student-athletes and two professional swimmers to Irvine, California, for the five-day meet beginning July 28 and running through August. 1.
Fans can watch live coverage throughout the week on USA Swimming's official streaming platform, while evening finals will be broadcast on Peacock. Meet entries, results and scratch updates will be available through the USA Swimming events portal. Preliminary heats begin each day at 9 a.m. PT (12 p.m. ET), with finals scheduled for 6 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET).
Representing the Wolfpack are Erika Pelaez, Lily Christianson, Lily King, Sydney Gring, Alan Vergine, Max Buff, Wells Walker, Jerry Fox, Quintin McCarty, Daniel Diehl, Gavin Keogh, Kathleen Turano, Max Carlsen, Aaron Davidson, Ian Stutts, Matt Marsteiner and Sam Marsteiner. Wolfpack professionals Katharine Berkoff and Kennedy Noble will also compete.
The championships serve as the selection meet for Team USA, with athletes competing for spots at the 2026 World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Beijing, China happening December 1 to December 6.
Last season, NC State head coach Braden Holloway led Team USA to a memorable performance at last year's World Championships, where Team USA captured 29 medals, including nine gold, and a world record setting relay.
Among the Wolfpack's top contenders is Quintin McCarty, who returns after a breakout 2025 season. McCarty won the 50 freestyle at last summer's U.S. National Championships before placing fifth in the event at the World Aquatics Championships. He will look to earn another spot on Team USA this week.
Olympic gold medalist and Wolfpack professional Katharine Berkoff also enters the meet with momentum after her TYR Pro Series performances earlier in the summer. Berkoff broke the American record in the 50m backstroke before claiming the world title in the event last season, and she will aim to secure another spot on Team USA as she continues her decorated international career.
Event Schedule:ÂDay 1 (July 28): 200 butterfly, 100 freestyle, Women's 800 freestyle / Men's 1500 freestyle
Day 2 (July 29): 200 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 200 backstroke, 50 butterfly
Day 3 (July 30): 400 IM, 100 butterfly, 50 breaststroke, 50 backstroke
Day 4 (July 31): 400 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke
Day 5 (August 1): Women's 1500 freestyle, 200 IM, Men's 800 freestyle, 50 freestyle
#GoPack | @packswimdive
