Rice University Athletics
Rice University
The American Championships
BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPS! Rice Wins Second American Swimming and Diving Championship
2/21/2026 8:46:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Rice swimming and diving team claimed the 2026 American Conference championship, securing back-to-back league titles for the second time in program history.
Head coach Seth Huston, who was named the American Conference Swimming Coach of the Year, credited the team's belief and consistency throughout the season.
"The second American championship tastes pretty sweet," Huston said. "I am really proud of our staff and team. They really believed in themselves all year and put together a great team performance start to finish this week."
The Owls entered the 400 freestyle relay with a 125.5-point lead to clinch the championship and finished with a final score of 1,404.5, their highest team total since joining the conference. Liberty placed second with 1,250 points.
Rice led throughout the week and entered the final day with a 148.5-point advantage over Liberty, maintaining control of the team standings from start to finish.
In the 1,650-yard freestyle, Rice swept the podium. Ava Portello captured her second individual title of the meet and earned her second NCAA automatic qualifying time, finishing in 16:23.84. Reigning three-time champion Ella Dyson placed second in 16:25.90, and Ava Hamblett secured bronze in 16:41.94 to complete the sweep.
In the 100 freestyle, Rice earned 25 points. Lily Archibald placed fifth in 49.60 seconds, Avery Karacz finished sixth in 49.84 and Lizzie Zadel took 14th in 50.70.
Hamblett returned to the pool in the 200 backstroke and placed seventh in 1:57.85. Gio Muisello finished 10th in 1:59.38, and Mia Fildissis added points with a time of 2:02.68.
In the 200 breaststroke, three Owls competed in the A final. Lily Cramer placed fourth in 2:13.69, followed by Bella Zhang in fifth (2:14.25) and Siiri Einio in seventh (2:15.31).
In platform diving, Antonina Harned placed ninth with a score of 201.60, followed by Morgan Robson in 10th with 198.35.
The Owls closed the meet with a fourth-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay. Lily Archibald, Ava Portello, Reese Cole and Avery Karacz combined for a time of 3:19.80.
Portello led the Owls with 92 individual points, while Dyson followed closely with 91.5.
The Owls finished the championship with four individual titles and one relay championship, totaling 13 medals overall.
Awards
Swimming Coach of the Year – Seth Huston
Co-Diving Coach of the Year – Ryan McIntire (ECU) & Sephanie O'Callaghan (UNT)
Most Outstanding Swimmer – Aly Bozzuto (Liberty)
Most Outstanding Diver – Frida Zuniga (ECU)
Most Outstanding Freshman Swimmer – Gwyn Frick (Liberty)
Most Outstanding Freshman Diver – Libby Brewer (Tulane)
Players Mentioned
