ATLANTA, Ga. (March 25, 2026) – The nation’s top collegiate swimmers are converging on the McAuley Aquatic Center at Georgia Tech this week for the 2026 NCAA Men’s Swimming & Diving Championship. Among those vying for national titles are five athletes representing the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), a testament to the growing strength of swimming programs at Drexel, UNCW and Towson. These swimmers – Theo Andreopoulos, Sebastian Smith, Joseph Busic, William Carrico, and Jed Garner – have already proven their mettle by securing gold medals at the CAA Championship, earning them a coveted spot at the NCAA level.
The journey to the NCAA Championship is a demanding one, requiring not only exceptional athletic ability but also unwavering dedication and rigorous training. Qualifying standards are set by the NCAA each year, and athletes must achieve specific times in sanctioned events to earn an invitation. This year’s competition promises to be particularly fierce, with swimmers from across the country battling for individual and team honors. The event will be streamed live on ESPN+, offering fans a front-row seat to witness the culmination of a season’s worth of hard work. ESPN+ provides comprehensive coverage of NCAA swimming and diving events.
CAA Standouts Prepare to Compete
Drexel University will be represented by senior Sebastian Smith and junior Theo Andreopoulos. Smith, a veteran of the program, is slated to compete in the 100-meter butterfly on Thursday. Andreopoulos, a rising star, will take to the pool on Saturday in the 200-meter backstroke. Both swimmers have been key contributors to Drexel’s success in the CAA, and their presence at the NCAA Championship underscores the program’s commitment to excellence.
UNCW sends sophomore Joseph Busic and junior William Carrico to Atlanta. Carrico will be a busy competitor, swimming in both the 400-meter individual medley on Thursday and the 200-meter individual medley on Saturday. Busic will compete in the 200-meter butterfly on Saturday. Their qualification highlights the growing strength of UNCW’s swimming program, which has seen significant improvements in recent years.
Rounding out the CAA contingent is Towson University’s Jed Garner, a junior who will compete in both the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke events. Garner will kick off his competition on Thursday in the 100-meter breaststroke, followed by the 200-meter breaststroke on Friday. Garner’s consistent performance throughout the season has made him a key athlete for the Tigers.
CAA Championship Success Fuels NCAA Bids
Each of these five swimmers secured their NCAA Championship bids by winning gold medals at the 2026 CAA Men’s Swimming & Diving Championship, held in February. The CAA Championship serves as the primary qualifying meet for the NCAA Championship, with the top finishers in each event earning automatic bids. The CAA website provides detailed results and information about the conference’s swimming and diving programs.
The CAA has a rich history in collegiate swimming and diving, and the success of these five athletes is a testament to the dedication of their coaches, teammates, and institutions. The conference has consistently produced talented swimmers who have gone on to achieve success at the national level, and this year’s contingent is poised to continue that tradition.
Competition Schedule and How to Watch
The 2026 NCAA Men’s Swimming & Diving Championship will follow a four-day schedule, beginning on Thursday, March 26th, and concluding on Sunday, March 29th. Preliminaries will begin each morning at 10:00 AM Eastern Time, followed by finals in the evening.
Here’s a breakdown of the CAA swimmers’ individual schedules:
- Thursday: Sebastian Smith (Drexel) – 100 Fly; William Carrico (UNCW) – 400 IM; Jed Garner (Towson) – 100 Breast
- Friday: Jed Garner (Towson) – 200 Breast
- Saturday: William Carrico (UNCW) – 200 IM; Theo Andreopoulos (Drexel) – 200 Back; Joseph Busic (UNCW) – 200 Fly
Fans can watch all the action live on ESPN+. A subscription is required to access the streaming coverage. Georgia Tech Athletics provides information about the championship event, including venue details and ticket information.
The NCAA Championship represents the pinnacle of collegiate swimming and diving. For these five CAA athletes, it’s an opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage and compete against the best in the country. Their dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to their sport have earned them this well-deserved opportunity, and the entire CAA community will be cheering them on as they pursue their dreams in Atlanta.
The championship will conclude on Saturday, with the final results determining individual and team champions. Following the competition, the NCAA will release official rankings and statistics, providing a comprehensive overview of the event’s outcomes.
We encourage readers to share their support for these athletes and the CAA swimming and diving community. Feel free to leave your comments below and share this article with your networks.
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