GREENSBORO, N.C. – The West Virginia University swimming and diving team began competition at the 2026 Substantial 12 Swimming and Diving Championships on Wednesday at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Mountaineers showcased promising performances on the first day, highlighted by a strong showing in the men’s 800-yard freestyle relay and solid contributions from both the men’s and women’s teams.
The men’s 800-yard freestyle relay team delivered a standout performance, posting a time of 6:27.89. This time ranks as the third-fastest in program history for the event, according to West Virginia University Athletics. Although the team finished seventh the time demonstrates significant progress and sets a positive tone for the remainder of the championships.
The men’s team also excelled in the diving events. The trio of sophomore Levi Hellmann, senior Christian Torres, and redshirt senior Glenn Eloriaga combined for a total score of 315.45, securing a sixth-place finish. On the women’s side, the 800-yard freestyle relay team, comprised of freshman Delia Ostafi, junior Maddie Smutny, and seniors Gabriela Martin and Olivia Busch, finished seventh with a time of 7:17.17.
Big 12 Championships Impacting Greensboro Economy
The Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships are not only a showcase of athletic talent but also a significant economic driver for the host city. According to wfmynews2.com, the championships are projected to bring millions of dollars to Greensboro, and are scheduled to return in 2027.
The Mountaineers will resume competition on Wednesday morning with preliminary heats beginning at 10 a.m. The afternoon session will feature the women’s 1-meter diving competition at 5:15 p.m., followed by the finals at 6 p.m., which will include the 500 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 50 freestyle, and men’s 3-meter diving events.
Upcoming Schedule of Events
Here’s a look at the schedule for the remainder of the Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships:
- Wednesday, Feb. 25
- 10 a.m. – Prelims
- 5:15 p.m. – Women’s 1-meter diving
- 6 p.m. – Finals (500 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 50 freestyle, Men’s 3-meter diving)
- Thursday, Feb. 26
- 10 a.m. – Prelims
- 5:15 p.m. – Men’s 1-meter diving
- 6 p.m. – Finals (100 butterfly, 400 IM, 200 freestyle, Women’s 3-meter diving, 4×100 medley relay)
- Friday, Feb. 27
- 10 a.m. – Prelims
- 6 p.m. – Finals (200 butterfly, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke, Men’s platform diving, 200 freestyle relay)
- Saturday, Feb. 28
- 10 a.m. – Prelims
- 6 p.m. – Finals (200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 1650 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, Women’s platform diving, 400 freestyle relay)
Fans can find more information about the West Virginia Mountaineers by visiting WVUsports.com and following WVUSwimDive on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
As the Big 12 Championships progress, the Mountaineers will look to build on this initial momentum and continue to improve their standing in the conference. The coming days promise exciting competition and opportunities for West Virginia to showcase its swimming and diving talent.
What are your thoughts on the Mountaineers’ performance so far? Share your comments below and let us know what you’re looking forward to seeing in the rest of the competition!
