HOLLAND, Mich. -- Day three of the 2026 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships Presented by Collegiate Credit Union was held Friday at the Holland Aquatic Center, as teams competed in seven events ahead of Saturday’s final session of the four-day meet hosted by Hope College from February 18–21.
Calvin University opened the evening with a victory in the 200-yard medley relay, posting a time of 1:28.63. The winning quartet included freshman Jackson Merkel, senior Caleb Gemmen, freshman David Gabrielle, and freshman Kellen Morford. The Flying Dutchmen finished second in 1:30.39 behind freshman John Szuba, sophomore Luke Newcomb, junior Nick Suranyi, and sophomore George Marsh, while Alma College placed third in 1:37.48 with freshman Morrison Wood, senior Brent Riehl, freshman Nolan Kaiser, and junior Sam Couch.
Hope secured the top two spots in the 400 individual medley. Sophomore Luke Wyrick won the event in 4:00.22, followed by junior Alex Pierce in 4:01.85. Calvin freshman Evan Haney finished third with a time of 4:02.03.
In the 100 butterfly, Hope junior Graham Eisenmann claimed the title in 48.07. Calvin's Gabrielle placed second in 49.06, and Calvin sophomore Andrew Taulbee finished third in 49.38.
Calvin senior Charles Platt set an MIAA meet record in the 200 freestyle, winning in 1:36.27 to break the previous mark of 1:37.39 set in 2021. Hope sophomore Everett Cox finished second in 1:38.26, followed by Hope freshman Hunter Latham in third at 1:39.71.
Hope's Newcomb captured the 100 breaststroke title with a time of 54.92. Calvin's Gemmen was second in 55.31 and Taulbee placed third in 55.44.
Calvin's Merkel tied the MIAA meet record in the 100 backstroke with a time of 47.53, matching the mark set last season by teammate Charles Platt. Teammate Gabrielle finished second in 50.55, while Calvin sophomore Logan McKinney and Hope's Szuba tied-for-third in 50.80.
On the diving board, Kalamazoo College sophomore Zander Ligman won the three-meter competition with a score of 535.45. Teammate Troy Richard III, a freshman, finished second at 497.45, while Hope freshman Finn Sanders placed third with 447.10.
After three days of competition, Hope leads the team standings with 828.5 points, followed closely by Calvin with 778. Kalamazoo sits third with 317 points, ahead of Albion College (273), Alma (262.5), and The Unviersity of Olivet (11).
The championships conclude Saturday with preliminary heats beginning at 10:00 a.m. and finals at 5:00 p.m. at the Holland Aquatic Center.
MIAA Champions - Friday
200 Medley Relay - Calvin | Jackson Merkel, Caleb Gemmen, David Gabrielle, Kellen Morford | 1:28.63
400 IM - Luke Wyrick, Hope | 4:00.22
100 Fly - Graham Eisenmann, Hope | 48.07
200 Free - Charles Platt, Calvin | 1:36.27 (MIAA Record)
100 Breast - Luke Newcomb, Hope | 54.92
100 Back - Jackson Merkel, Calvin | 47.53 (tied MIAA record)
3m Dive - Zander Ligman, Kalamazoo