The 2026 NCAP Qualifier, held in Stafford, VA, showcased some impressive performances, particularly from Sara Curtis and Bryn Greenwaldt. Curtis dominated the 100-meter freestyle, clocking a time of 53.76 seconds, which is just 0.34 seconds shy of her personal best of 53.29 seconds achieved at the 2025 World Championships. Her season best of 53.40 seconds, set at the Italian Championships in April, further solidifies her position as a top swimmer in the sport. This victory is a testament to her hard work and dedication, and it will undoubtedly boost her confidence as she continues to compete at the highest level.
On the other hand, Greenwaldt made her long course 50-meter butterfly debut, claiming the gold medal with a time of 26.94 seconds. Her prelims performance was even faster, at 26.91 seconds, which is a significant improvement considering this was only her fourth ever LCM meet. Greenwaldt's success in such a short period of time is a clear indication of her talent and potential, and it will be exciting to see how she progresses in the future.
The youngest winner of the night was 14-year-old Kallie Hersh, who touched the wall in the 50-meter breaststroke with a time of 34.26 seconds. Her achievement is particularly remarkable, as it highlights the talent that is emerging in the sport at a young age. Hersh's performance serves as an inspiration to younger swimmers, demonstrating that with hard work and dedication, even the most ambitious goals can be achieved.
The women's events also saw Emma Cigna and Kate Boutry claim gold in the 200-meter individual medley and 200-meter backstroke, respectively. Cigna's time of 2:17.41 and Boutry's 2:20.96 are both impressive, and they further showcase the depth of talent in women's swimming.
On the men's side, Alessandro Borsato won the 50-meter breaststroke in a lifetime best of 27.79 seconds. Borsato's success is a testament to his hard work and dedication, and it will undoubtedly boost his confidence as he continues to compete at the highest level. Fellow collegiate swimmer David Yune also earned a win in the 100-meter freestyle, dropping from his previous best of 52.38 seconds to a time of 52.22 seconds.
Another notable performance came from Andre Friend, who swam to a win in the 50-meter butterfly with a time of 24.98 seconds. Friend's achievement is particularly impressive, as he finished 6th in the 100-meter butterfly at the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Championships. His success in the 50-meter butterfly is a clear indication of his versatility and adaptability as a swimmer.
The 2026 NCAP Qualifier was a showcase of talent and potential, and it will be exciting to see how these swimmers progress in the future. The event served as a platform for swimmers to showcase their skills and compete at a high level, and it will undoubtedly inspire younger swimmers to pursue their dreams and work hard to achieve their goals.
