The 2026 Collegiate Club Swimming National Championships are set to take place in Greensboro, North Carolina, from April 10-12, 2026, at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. This year's event promises to be an exciting one, with a strong showing from North Carolina colleges, particularly the University of North Carolina (UNC).
UNC has rapidly emerged as a national powerhouse in collegiate club swimming, largely due to the addition of several former Power 4 varsity athletes. Among them is Walker Davis, a former Virginia High School State Champion and UNC varsity swimmer from 2021 to 2025. Davis finished 25th in the 100 back at the 2025 NCAA Championships and has continued to compete post-graduation, including at the World Cup. He now enters the Collegiate Club Nationals as the top seed in four races: the 100 back (46.69), 50 free (20.00), 50 back (21.18), and 100 free (44.56).
Another former UNC varsity swimmer, Jack Donovan, is also entered in the 50 free, 100 free, and 200 free. Donovan, who was more of a middle-distance/IM swimmer for the varsity team, has been racing at the same meets as Davis since his college eligibility ended in March. The UNC team also includes James Bennison, Harrison Gardner, and Everett Oehler, all former varsity swimmers.
Additionally, Bence Burton, a North Carolina High School State Champion, has joined the club swimming ranks after swimming 54.71 in the 100 breast as a senior. UNC's roster of 31 athletes at the meet is a significant increase from the 20 they brought last year, showcasing their growing strength in the sport.
Other notable programs include Virginia, which is bringing a large contingent of 37 women and 26 men and received social media support from Olympians Gretchen and Alex Walsh. Virginia won the women's title at this meet last year. Cal Poly, which recently cut its varsity program, is also participating with a robust collegiate club swimming program, bolstered by former varsity members. The defending men's champions from Purdue and traditional club swimming power Georgia Tech are also in attendance, though with smaller rosters.
This year's Championships highlight the growing importance of collegiate club swimming and the talent it attracts. With UNC's strong showing and the participation of other top programs, the event is sure to be a competitive and exciting spectacle, showcasing the best of the sport.
