Get ready for a thrilling showdown in the pool! Claire Curzan is shaking things up for the 2026 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, sticking to her 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke, and 100 butterfly lineup—the same events she dominated at the ACC Championships. But here's where it gets controversial: this strategy marks a departure from her previous NCAA Championship choices and breaks from the tradition of Virginia’s star swimmers, like Alex Walsh and Kate Douglass, who often switch up their events between conference and national meets. Is Curzan playing it safe, or is she onto something revolutionary?
Scheduled from Wednesday, March 18, to Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, GA, this championship promises high stakes. Defending champions Virginia are gunning for their sixth consecutive title, and Curzan’s lineup could be the key to their success. For the full schedule and more details, visit Championship Central or check out the Pre-Selection Psych Sheets.
Curzan’s decision to focus on backstroke events is no surprise. After all, she claimed gold in both the 100 and 200 backstroke at last year’s NCAA Championships, even setting a U.S. Open Record in the 200 backstroke at the ACCs. While the competition in these events is fierce, the field isn’t as deep as in previous years, especially with Bella Sims opting out of the 200 backstroke. But don’t be fooled—Curzan’s 21.11 in the 50 free from last year, though impressive, faces stiff competition this time around, with four swimmers seeded faster.
And this is the part most people miss: the 100 butterfly could be the real game-changer. Curzan’s former Stanford teammate, Torri Huske, is seeded just ahead of her at 48.26, compared to Curzan’s 48.47. Their ACC Championship battle, where Huske took the win, sets the stage for a monstrous rematch. Only three other swimmers—Alex Shackell, Gigi Johnson, and Miranda Grana—are seeded under 49 seconds, making this event less volatile for Virginia’s scoring strategy.
The revised NCAA Championship schedule also plays into Curzan’s hands. Last year, the 50 free and 100 backstroke were on different days, while the 100 butterfly conflicted. This year, the 100 butterfly moves to Day 2, and the 50 free follows shortly after the 100 backstroke. With the 400 medley relay on the same day, sticking to her current lineup avoids a grueling triple.
But here’s the burning question: Is Curzan’s lineup a strategic masterstroke or a missed opportunity to diversify? Could she have aimed for more golds by switching things up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is sure to make waves!
For more insights on swimmers like Bella Sims, Claire Curzan, and Torri Huske, stay tuned to SwimSwam. And don’t forget to follow Braden Keith, Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of SwimSwam, for expert analysis that dives deep into the world of swimming.
