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HAMPTON, VA – The 2026 NJAC Swimming & Diving Championships kicked off Thursday evening at the Hampton Virginia Aquaplex with a series of thrilling relays and record-breaking performances, including multiple NCAA qualifying times.
Men's Competition
TCNJ and Merchant Marine battled for the early lead in the men's standings. TCNJ holds a slim eight-point advantage (201-193) after Thursday's action.
The Lions got off to a strong start by breaking the conference record in the opening event. TCNJ's 200 medley relay team clocked 1:26.82, shattering the previous mark of 1:28.28 set in 2024 and achieving the NCAA 'B' cut standard (1:29.60). Salisbury touched just behind at 1:26.99, also eclipsing the old record and earning a 'B' cut, while USMMA placed third in 1:29.23 to hit the qualifying mark as well.
TCNJ added another victory in the 800 freestyle relay with a time of 6:35.85, edging Salisbury (6:36.39) in a tight finish.
The Mariners dominated the diving well, where freshman Carter Kov broke the conference record with a preliminary score of 506.75 in the 3-meter event, surpassing the mark of 505.05 set by USMMA's Thomas Cable last year. In the finals, Kov scored 493.60 to claim the title, with Cable taking second at 484.50—both divers surpassing the NCAA standard.
Women's Competition
Salisbury leads the women's standings with 128 points, holding an 18-point margin over Kean (110) and Rowan (108).
The Sea Gulls set a new conference record in the 200 medley relay, touching in 1:43.94 to break Kean's year-old mark of 1:44.16 and achieve the NCAA 'B' cut time (1:44.61). Kean finished second in 1:44.23, with Mary Washington third at 1:44.29, as all three teams hit the qualifying standard.
Salisbury continued its strong performance in the 800 freestyle relay, winning decisively in 7:32.26 to break the conference record of 7:39.14 the Sea Gulls set last year and earn the NCAA 'B' cut (7:38.31). Rowan's second-place finish of 7:36.35 also achieved the 'B' cut standard and placed under the former record.
The championships continue through Sunday at the Hampton Virginia Aquaplex.