Get ready to be blown away by the electrifying start to the 2026 Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Championships, where records were shattered and new stars emerged! But here's where it gets even more thrilling: UNCW’s William Carrico didn’t just swim—he dominated the men’s 200 IM with a jaw-dropping 1:42.09, securing his NCAA cut and smashing the CAA record. This isn’t just a win; it’s a statement that’s turning heads across the swimming world. And this is just the beginning.
The Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Championships, held from Wednesday, February 25, to Saturday, February 28 at the Hampton Aquaplex in Hampton, VA, kicked off with a bang. Defending champions UNC-Wilmington (UNCW) women and men are back to defend their titles—three consecutive wins for the women and four for the men. But with fierce competition from teams like William & Mary, Drexel, and Towson, their streaks are far from guaranteed. And this is the part most people miss: the underdog teams are bringing their A-game, setting the stage for some of the most unpredictable races in recent memory.
Controversy alert: While Carrico’s performance was undeniably impressive, some are already debating whether this is the start of a new era for UNCW or just a fleeting moment of glory. What do you think? Let’s dive into the details.
Carrico’s performance wasn’t just a personal best—it was a masterclass in precision and power. His previous record of 1:44.69 from the Kellianne Nagy Fall Frenzy Invite was impressive, but this 1:42.09? It’s not just an NCAA A cut; it’s a declaration that he’s a force to be reckoned with. Oh, and did we mention he also broke Brian Benzig’s 2024 conference and meet records? This March, Carrico will make his NCAA Championships debut, and expectations are sky-high.
But UNCW’s success didn’t stop with Carrico. His female teammates stole the show on night two, claiming three out of four swimming events. The women’s 200 IM was a nail-biter, with Maeren McGonigal and Gil Shaw of UNCW going head-to-head against William & Mary’s Tess Lankford. Shaw’s lightning-fast 33.63 breaststroke split—the quickest in the field—secured her the win with a time of 2:00.84, just edging out Lankford’s 2:00.95. McGonigal wasn’t far behind, finishing third in 2:01.13.
Here’s where it gets even more exciting: McGonigal and Shaw teamed up again for the 400 medley relay, joining forces with Cameron Snowden and Alex Tysinger to clinch another title for Wilmington. Their time of 3:35.53 was just shy of their 2025 conference record, but Snowden’s 51.20 butterfly split was nothing short of spectacular. Speaking of Snowden, she dominated the 50 free with a blistering 22.39, leaving her competitors in the dust.
The men’s 50 free, however, was a completely different story. The top three finishers were separated by just .01 seconds, with Drexel’s Theo Andreopoulos taking gold in 19.60, William & Mary’s Aiden Bond in 19.61, and Drexel’s Sebastian Smith in 19.62. Andreopoulos’s win marked a personal best by nearly two-tenths of a second, proving that every millisecond counts.
Other Day Two Highlights:
- Andreopoulos showcased his sprint prowess again with a 42.55 anchor leg in Drexel’s winning 400 medley relay, alongside Dimi Gkelis (48.09), Bart Loter (52.33), and Sebastian Smith (45.17).
- In diving, Towson’s Shannon Parrau and UNCW’s MaKenna Sharpe earned NCAA scores for their top-two finishes in the women’s 3m event.
- Drexel’s Brittany Corbett claimed the women’s 500 free title with a time of 4:47.79, holding off Towson’s Addie Scott (4:48.38). On the men’s side, Towson’s Christian Davidson dominated with a 4:21.03, leading from the 200-yard mark onward.
Team Race Update: UNCW’s Seahawks are in a tight battle. The men lead Towson by just 10 points, while the women trail William & Mary by a significant 60 points. With two days left, anything can happen. Will UNCW’s streaks continue, or will a new champion rise? Here’s the real question: Are we witnessing the beginning of a dynasty, or is this the year the underdogs take over? Share your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear from you!
