Hoosier Youngsters Lead Way in Day Two

Thursday, March 26

Atlanta, Ga.

6 p.m.

Indiana University

NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships - Finals

3/26/2026 9:30:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving

Results (PDF)

ATLANTA – Indiana swimming sophomore Alexei Avakov and freshman Josh Bey both reached the podium in their debut events at the 2026 NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships Thursday (March 26) inside the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta.

Five Hoosiers and a relay scored points on day two of the national meet, as Indiana sits fourth in the team standings with 132.5 points – one point out of third place.

"I am really proud of both Josh and Alexei making their first 'A' finals," IU head swimming coach Ray Looze said. "Big day tomorrow."

Avakov dropped 76 hundredths from his best time Thursday in the 100-yard breaststroke, the sophomore's first event at his first NCAA Championships. Coming into the meet ranked No. 19 in the event, Avakov first improved with a 50.89 in the morning to qualify for the final in seventh. Avakov improved again in his second swim, finishing sixth on the podium with a 50.58. He now ranks No. 5 in program history in the 100 breast.

Bey put out a courageous swim in his championship final. The freshman went out with Texas junior and eventual champion and American record breaker Rex Maurer – through 300 yards, Bey was second with a 2:44.29 split, one second behind Maurer. The youngster lost steam in his freestyle and fell to seventh at the final touch with a 3:37.23. Still, Bey will be proud to be Big Ten Champion, his 3:34.90 last month setting the conference record.

RESULTS
100 BUTTERFLY
31. Raekwon Noel – 45.55

400 IM
7. Josh Bey – 3:37.23 (First-Team All-America)
10. Zalán Sárkány – 3:38.54 (Personal Best, Second-Team All-America)
30. Luke Ellis – 3:44.35
DQ. Noah Cakir - Disqualified

200 FREESTYLE
17. Aaron Shackell – 1:31.76 (Personal Best)
19. Owen McDonald – 1:32.05

100 BREASTSTROKE
6. Alexei Avakov – 50.58 (Personal Best, First-Team All-America)
14. Travis Gulledge – 51.50 (Second-Team All-America)
t15. Toby Barnett – 51.53 (Personal Best, Second-Team All-America)

1-METER DIVING
17. Joshua Sollenberger – 319.45
22. Maxwell Weinrich – 313.95

200 FREESTYLE RELAY
12. Mikkel Lee, Dylan Smiley, Travis Gulledge, Miroslav Knedla – 1:15.32 (Second-Team All-America)

HOOSIER ALL-AMERICANS
Alexei Avakov – 100 breaststroke
Toby Barnett – 100 breaststroke*
Josh Bey – 400 IM
Travis Gulledge – 200 medley relay, 100 breaststroke*, 200 freestyle relay*
Miroslav Knedla – 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay*
Mikkel Lee – 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay*
Owen McDonald – 200 medley relay, 800 freestyle relay
Raekwon Noel – 800 freestyle relay
Zalán Sárkány – 1,650 freestyle, 400 IM*
Aaron Shackell – 800 freestyle relay
Dylan Smiley – 800 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay*
Luke Whitlock – 1,650 freestyle

UP NEXT
Indiana looks forward to a busy Friday in the 100-yard backstroke, 200-yard breaststroke, 500-yard freestyle, 50-yard freestyle, 400-yard medley relay and 3-meter diving.

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