FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) has announced its 2026 Women’s Swimming and Diving All-MIAA award recipients following an outstanding championship meet. Hope College fifth-year senior Greta Gidley has been named the Most Valuable Swimmer, Hope freshman Grace Dawson earned Most Valuable Diver honors, and Alma College senior Lily Smith has been selected as the Senior Impact Award recipient.
Most Valuable Swimmer: Greta Gidley, Hope
Hope fifth-year senior Greta Gidley delivered a historic performance at the 2026 MIAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships Presented by Collegiate Credit Union to earn Most Valuable Swimmer recognition. Gidley opened the championship meet as the first-leg swimmer of the winning 200 free relay that finished in 1:31.89, setting the tone for a dominant weekend in the pool.
She set a new MIAA meet record in the 200 IM with a time of 2:00.47, surpassing her own previous record of 2:00.79 established in 2024. Gidley also claimed individual conference titles in the 100 fly with a time of 55.45 and the 100 breast in a meet-record 1:01.89, breaking the previous mark of 1:02.72 set in 2009. In further relay competition, she swam the second leg of the victorious 400 medley relay that clocked in at 3:44.74 and the second leg of the winning 200 medley relay that finished in 1:41.46.
Most Valuable Diver: Grace Dawson, Hope
Hope freshman Grace Dawson made an immediate impact in her first conference championship, earning Most Valuable Diver honors. Dawson captured the one-meter diving title with a winning score of 441.25 and narrowly finished second on the three-meter board with a score of 451.50, missing first place by just 0.40 points. Her consistency and poise in both events established her as one of the MIAA’s premier divers in her debut season.
Senior Impact Award: Lily Smith, Alma
Alma senior Lily Smith has been named the recipient of the 2026 Senior Impact Award, recognizing excellence in academics, leadership, service, and athletics. Smith carries an impressive 3.97 GPA, placing her in the top 10 percent of her class, while majoring in Business Analytics with a minor in Art and Design. A seven-time Dean’s List honoree with an eighth semester anticipated, she has also been nominated for the prestigious Barlow Trophy, one of Alma’s highest honors recognizing academic achievement, and campus and community impact.
Smith serves on the swim and dive program’s Leadership Council, helping foster a positive, supportive team culture while organizing and leading volunteer initiatives. She is also a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative and an active participant in Alma’s Honors Program, where she presented research in 2025 and regularly moderates research presentations. Additionally, she is a member of the Sigma Tau Delta English honor society, supports fellow students as a tutor and note taker for the Student Success Office, and ensures timely access to academic materials for peers.
Her commitment to community service is extensive, maintaining a minimum of 20 service hours each semester. Smith volunteers with Feed My Starving Children, participates in the Alma Riverwalk Clean Up, supports Dalis to the Rescue animal shelter, contributes to Toys for Tots, and serves as an unpaid swim coach.
2026 Women's Swimming and Diving All-MIAA
Most Valuable Swimmer:
Greta Gidley, Hope
Most Valuable Diver:
Grace Dawson, Hope
Senior Impact Award:
Lily Smith, Alma
All-MIAA Swimmers:
Olivia Bagwell, Kalamazoo
Elise Bajwa, Calvin (2)
Makenzie Baldwin, Hope
Meghan Bengelink, Calvin
Avery Bills, Hope
Claudia Busse, Hope
Emme D’Errico, Hope (2)
Greta Gidley, Hope (4)
Katie Hermann, Hope (4)
Emma Merkel, Calvin (3)
Natalie Pitera, Hope
Zoe Poe, Calvin (2)
Madi Remenschneider, Hope (2)
Anna Stolle, Hope
Ashlea Swingewood, Hope (2)
Bella Turner, Hope (2)
Laurel Wasiniak, Hope (4)
All-MIAA Divers:
Grace Dawson, Hope
Wen Wadsworth-Curcuru, Albion
Laura Zupancic, Hope (2)