INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) will send a strong contingent of women’s swimmers to the 2026 NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships, set for March 18–21 at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Franklin College, the Indiana Sports Corporation, and the IU Natatorium will serve as hosts for the national meet, which will feature 579 participants — including 526 swimmers and 53 divers — from institutions across the country. Swimming qualifiers earned their places by achieving NCAA minimum entry times, while divers will be selected following regional meets Feb. 27–28. The full list of swimmers is available on ncaa.org, with divers to be announced March 2.

Calvin University will be represented by a balanced group of distance specialists, stroke standouts, and relay contributors. Junior Elise Bajwa qualified in both breaststroke events, entering the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:02.64 and the 200 breaststroke at 2:19.39. Junior Emma Merkel earned spots in the 200 backstroke (2:01.26) and 200 freestyle (1:50.04), while sophomore Zoe Poe will compete in the distance freestyle events after posting qualifying times of 4:59.19 in the 500 free and 17:04.58 in the 1650 free.

The Knights also qualified two relays. Calvin’s 200 freestyle relay (1:33.48) features sophomore Ella Andrews, senior Meghan Bengelink, Merkel, and senior Elyse Radawski, while the 200 medley relay (1:42.72) pairs Bajwa with Bengelink, senior Madi McNearney, and Radawski. The combination of individual qualifiers and relay depth positions Calvin to compete across multiple disciplines on the national stage.

Hope College will send one of the conference’s largest groups, highlighted by a blend of experienced veterans and standout newcomers. Freshman Makenzie Baldwin qualified in three events — the 100 backstroke (55.78), 200 backstroke (1:59.36), and 500 freestyle (4:58.09) — while fellow newcomer Claudia Busse earned a spot in the 50 freestyle with a time of 23.16. Sophomore Emme D’Errico qualified in the 200 butterfly (2:03.58), 200 individual medley (2:04.57), and 400 IM (4:24.06).

Hope’s veteran leadership includes fifth-year senior Greta Gidley, who qualified in the 100 breaststroke (1:01.89) and 200 IM (2:00.47), along with senior Katie Hermann in the 200 IM (2:04.11) and 400 IM (4:26.51). Senior Madi Remenschneider will swim the 100 breaststroke (1:03.89), while classmate Bella Turner qualified in the 100 freestyle (50.96). Senior Laurel Wasiniak earned entries in three freestyle events — the 50 free (23.05), 100 free (50.19), and 200 free (1:50.99).

The Flying Dutch will also compete in five relays, showcasing their depth. Hope qualified the 200 medley relay (1:41.46) with Baldwin, Busse, Gidley, and Turner; the 400 medley relay (3:44.74) with Baldwin, Busse, Gidley, and Wasiniak; the 200 freestyle relay (1:31.89) featuring Busse, Gidley, Turner, and Wasiniak; the 400 freestyle relay (3:23.76) with the same quartet; and the 800 freestyle relay (7:29.83) consisting of Busse, D’Errico, Turner, and Wasiniak.

With Calvin and Hope combining for a wide range of individual events and relays, the MIAA will be well represented at one of Division III swimming’s premier venues. The conference’s qualifiers will look to translate their season-best performances into All-America honors as they compete against the nation’s top talent in Indianapolis.