HOLLAND, Mich. -- The 2026 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Swimming & Diving Championships Presented by Collegiate Credit Union opened Wednesday evening at the Holland Aquatic Center, with host Hope College welcoming the league’s student-athletes for the four-day event, February 18–21. While the opening day featured a limited schedule—highlighted by the 800-yard freestyle relay finals, time trials, and the men’s one-meter diving preliminaries—it delivered a record-breaking performance and an early glimpse at the championship race ahead.
On the men’s side, Calvin University wasted no time asserting itself atop the standings. The Knights captured the 800 freestyle relay title in record-setting fashion, touching the wall in 6:32.25 to break their own MIAA mark of 6:33.26 set just one year ago. The quartet of junior Ryan Halberg, freshman Jackson Merkel, and seniors Jacob Ziegler and Charles Platt combined for the historic swim, giving Calvin the first gold medal of the championship.
Host Hope College fed off the energy of the home crowd to secure the runner-up finish in 6:34.43. Juniors Graham Eisenmann and Josh Bordovsky, and sophomores Joseph Engle and Everett Cox delivered a strong performance to keep the Flying Dutchmen in close pursuit. Alma College rounded out the top three, as senior Brent Riehl, freshman Colin Moran, junior Max Nielsen, and senior Eli Mull posted a time of 7:07.75.
The women’s race saw the host program reach the top of the podium. Hope claimed the 800 freestyle relay title with a winning time of 7:30.54. Sophomore Emme D’Errico, senior Bella Turner, freshman Makenzie Baldwin, and senior Laurel Wasiniak teamed up for the victory, giving the Flying Dutch an early championship boost.
Calvin secured second place in 7:38.12 behind the efforts of junior Emma Merkel and sophomores Ella Andrews, Zoe Poe, and Maria Heeres. Alma again finished third, as senior Laney Voisinet, freshmen Hannah Sullivan and Delilah Zingelewicz, and senior Sofia Floros combined for an 8:04.91 finish.
In addition to the relay finals, swimmers competed in time trials while divers took to the boards for the men’s one-meter preliminary round, setting the stage for Thursday’s championship diving finals.
Competition resumes tomorrow, February 19, with preliminary heats beginning at 10:00 a.m. and finals scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at the Holland Aquatic Center, as teams continue their pursuit of the 2026 MIAA titles.
MIAA Champions - Wednesday
Men's 800 freestyle relay - Calvin University | 6:32.25 | Ryan Halberg, Jackson Merkel, Jacob Ziegler, Charles Platt (MIAA Record)
Women's 800 freestyle relay - Hope College | 7:30.54 | Emme D'Errico, Bella Turner, Makenzie Baldwin, Laurel Wasiniak