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HAMPTON, VA --- The College of New Jersey and Salisbury University strengthened their positions atop the team standings on Friday at the 2026 NJAC Swimming & Diving Championships at the Hampton Virginia Aquaplex.
Men's Competition
TCNJ extended its lead to 185 points over Salisbury (613-428), with United States Merchant Marine in third with 375 points. Rowan sits fourth (298), followed by Mary Washington (262), Roger Williams (206.5), Montclair State (196.5), Ramapo (134), and William Paterson (80).
The Lions broke their second conference record of the meet in the 400 medley relay, touching in 3:12.55 to eclipse the 2024 mark of 3:15.73 and earn an NCAA 'B' cut (3:17.69). Salisbury also achieved a 'B' cut with its second-place time of 3:13.72, with USMMA placing third (3:18.03).
In the 500 freestyle, TCNJ snagged four of the top five places, led by junior Steven Bendoraitis who broke the conference record with a time of 4:26.12, surpassing last year's mark of 4:26.59 and hitting the NCAA 'B' cut standard (4:31.24). Fellow Lion Gavin Formon (4:29.23), Salisbury’s Owen Mahoney (4:30.79), and TCNJ teammates Matthew Liotti (4:31.87) and Brian Bull (4:32.97) rounded out the top five, with the first three earning 'B' cuts.
TCNJ’s MJ Hoban won the 50 freestyle in 20.05, achieving the NCAA 'B' cut (20.36). Roger Williams' James Augustin placed second (20.50), while Mary Washington's Sam Roundtree took third (20.57).
TCNJ's Gabe Beverini claimed victory in the 200 IM with a time of 1:49.37, while Rowan's Braden Sheehan took second at 1:49.43 and TCNJ's Tyler McGeehan finished third (1:51.41).
Women's Competition
Salisbury leads the women's standings with 591 points, well ahead of Mary Washington (328.5), Montclair State (309), Kean (304), and Rowan (302). TCNJ sits sixth with 279 points, followed by USMMA (199.5), Roger Williams (178), Ramapo (154), and William Paterson (112).
Kean broke the conference record in the 400 medley relay, winning in 3:47.54 to better Mary Washington's 2025 mark of 3:48.38 and achieve the NCAA 'B' cut (3:49.72). Salisbury (3:48.69) and Rowan (3:49.43) also earned 'B' cuts in the event.
Salisbury dominated the 500 freestyle, sweeping the top six places. Freshman Rowan O'Donoghue won in 4:53.23, breaking the conference record of 4:59.65 set last year and earning an NCAA 'B' cut (5:00.16). Teammate Addi Wood took second in 4:59.31, also hitting the 'B' standard, while Sadie Hebert placed third (5:01.59).
TCNJ swept the podium in 1-meter diving, led by senior Beth Evaldi who broke her own conference record with a score of 398.20 to surpass her 2025 mark of 394.65 and exceed the NCAA qualifying standard of 395.00. Melody Lin placed second (343.40) and Jenna Ringel took third (310.50).
Rowan senior Ella Pennington won the 200 IM in 2:03.95, earning an NCAA 'B' cut (2:05.61), while Kean's Olivia Chow took second in 2:04.70, also achieving the 'B' standard. Kean's Emma Bellars finished third (2:07.26).
Kean's Braelyn Wilson took home the title in the 50 freestyle, winning in 23.18 to earn the NCAA 'B' cut. Montclair State's Rourke Peralta took second in 23.48, also hitting the 'B' standard, with Mary Washington's Soleil Clifford placing third (24.00).
The championships continue Saturday at the Hampton Virginia Aquaplex.