Let the Countdown Begin: A Look At the Returning NCAA Champions
With 2022 now upon us, the countdown to the NCAA Championships has started. The women’s championship meet is scheduled for March 16-19 at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, with the men participating in their championship competition at the same venue a week later (March 23-26).
Virginia is the reigning champion on the women’s side and will be fueled by Olympic medalists Alex Walsh, Kate Douglass and Emma Weyant. On the men’s side, Texas will chase its 16th NCAA title behind the likes of senior leaders Drew Kibler and Daniel Krueger, and multi-event standout Carson Foster.
In the early stages of the New Year, here is a look at the 2021 NCAA champions who will try to defend their crowns.
Women
50 Freestyle – Kate Douglass (Virginia)
100 Freestyle – Maggie MacNeil (Michigan)
100 Backstroke – Katharine Berkoff (North Carolina State)
200 Backstroke – Phoebe Bacon (Wisconsin)
100 Breaststroke – Sophie Hansson (North Carolina State)
200 Breaststroke – Sophie Hansson (North Carolina State)
100 Butterfly – Maggie MacNeil (Michigan)
200 Butterfly – Olivia Carter (Michigan)
200 Individual Medley – Alex Walsh (Virginia)
400 Individual Medley – Brooke Forde (Stanford)
Men
200 Freestyle – Kieran Smith (Florida)
500 Freestyle – Jake Magahey (Georgia)
1650 Freestyle – Bobby Finke (Florida)
100 Breaststroke – Max McHugh (Minnesota)
200 Breaststroke – Max McHugh (Minnesota)
200 Butterfly – Nicolas Albiero (Louisville)
400 Individual Medley – Bobby Finke (Florida)