Records shattered, rivalries intensified, and the pool erupted in cheers on Night 3 of the 2026 NCAC Championships. Three meet records fell, with Denison University and Kenyon College dominating the scoreboard. But here's where it gets controversial: while Denison's men secured two new records, Kenyon's women weren't about to be outdone, claiming one of their own and widening their lead. Is this the year Kenyon's women solidify their dynasty, or can Denison's men close the gap? Let the debate begin!
2026 NCAC Championships
- Dates: February 10-14, 2026
- Location: Granville, Ohio
- Format: SCY (25 Yards)
- Follow Along:
- Meet Mobile: 2026 NCAC Swimming & Diving Championships
- Live Results: https://sidearmstats.com/denison/swim/index.htm
- Day 1 Recap: https://swimswam.com/denison-men-lead-denison-kenyon-women-tied-after-day-1-of-ncac-championships/
- Day 2 Recap: https://swimswam.com/denison-men-grow-lead-kenyon-women-sweep-swim-events-on-night-2-at-ncac-championships/
Men's Recap:
Denison's men continued their dominance, setting two new NCAC meet records. Jack Hill led the charge, smashing the 200 free record with a time of 1:35.66. Hill, already holding the top Division III time this season (1:35.18 from December), solidified his position as a force to be reckoned with. Teammate Nick Hensel secured second place in 1:37.30, showcasing Denison's depth in the freestyle events.
The record-breaking didn't stop there. Denison's 200 free relay team, anchored by Hill (19.90), Hensel (a blistering 19.13 split!), Cam Blevins-Mohr, and Samuel Hibbert, touched the wall in 1:18.42, eclipsing the previous record of 1:18.77 set by Kenyon in 2012. Blevins-Mohr also claimed individual glory, winning the 100 fly in a personal best 47.57, a significant improvement from his previous best of 48.21.
Denison's backstroke prowess was on full display as Ben Bevill and Devin Testin secured a 1-2 finish in the 100 back, with Bevill touching first in 48.42 and Testin close behind in 49.36.
Kenyon's Ethan Manske provided a thrilling moment in the 400 IM. His powerhouse breaststroke split allowed him to overtake Denison's Luke Swiggett in the final stretch, claiming victory in 3:52.99 to Swiggett's 3:54.94. Kenyon's Noel Tumbasz continued the winning streak, taking the 100 breast in 54.42, edging out teammate Leo Karnitz (54.99).
Women's Recap:
Kenyon's women tightened their grip on the lead, with Gwen Eisenbeis stealing the show. She shattered the NCAC meet record in the 100 backstroke, clocking a stunning 54.36, surpassing Olivia Smith's 2022 record of 54.71. Eisenbeis, who entered the day with a personal best of 54.62, now sits atop the NCAA rankings for the season. Her performance is even more impressive considering her 5th place finish at the 2025 D3 NCAA Championships.
Molly Haag continued her winning ways, adding the 200 free title (1:49.68) to her 500 free victory from the previous night. Teammate Nora Lee Brown secured second place in 1:50.69, highlighting Kenyon's freestyle strength.
Kelsey Van Eldik dominated the 100 breast, winning in 1:01.32. Her season-best time of 1:00.76 currently leads the NCAA by over a second, making her a strong contender for national honors.
Despite Kenyon's lead, Denison's women had their moments. The 200 free relay team of Olivia Morse, Phoebe Ferguson, Hailey Kaminski, and Caroline Ramirez touched first in a nail-biting 1:32.43, just 0.07 seconds ahead of Kenyon's relay. Ferguson also impressed in the 100 fly, finishing second in 55.40, a mere 0.02 seconds behind teammate Jassy Park (55.38).
Denison's Emily Harris rounded out the night with a victory in the 400 IM, clocking 4:22.77. Her season-best time of 4:20.06 currently leads Division III, positioning her as a strong contender for individual glory.
Scores Through Day 3:
- Denison University — 1352.5
- Kenyon College — 1193.5
- John Carroll University — 805.5
- DePauw University — 716
- Wabash College — 655
- College of Wooster — 511.5
- Oberlin College — 471
- Ohio Wesleyan University — 276
- Wittenberg University — 112
The Debate:
With Kenyon's women extending their lead and Denison's men showing incredible depth, the question remains: Can Denison close the gap in the remaining events? Will Kenyon's dominance continue, or will we see a dramatic comeback? And this is the part most people miss: How will individual performances like Eisenbeis' record-breaking swim and Hill's consistency impact team morale and strategy moving forward? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
