EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The UIC swimming and diving programs saw its members earn an individual championship, break several records and win multiple postseason awards, as the women finished fourth and the men finished sixth in the team standings at the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Championship Meet.
The fourth place finish for the women is their best finish since joining the MVC in the 2022-23 season.
All five of the men's relay teams at the meet achieved NICs qualifying times.
AWARDS
Junior
Harrison Nolan received MVC Men's Diver of the Year for the second-straight season, after he broke his own two meet records in the one-meter (373.45) and three-meter (390.70) diving events while becoming MVC Champion in the three-meter.
Freshman
Ava Molina earned MVC Women's Freshman Diver of the Year honors, Molina placed 8th in the three-meter diving event with a score of 236.55 points.
Junior
Molly Kroeger won the MVC Elite 18 Award with a 4.0 GPA in Biomedical Engineering. Kroeger was recently named to the NACDA Allstate Good Works Winter Team, due to her work in the community.
For the fourth-straight season, UIC Associate Head Coach and Head Diving Coach
Susan Bromberg was named Diving Coach of the Year. This is Bromberg's 19th Diving Coach of the Year award in her career and her 14th in her time at UIC.
CHAMPION
Harrison Nolan broke two meet records in the one-meter (373.45) and three-meter (390.70) on his way to defending his MVC title as champion in the three-meter diving event.
TOP PERFORMERS
Swimming
WOMEN
- Madison Helmick finished second in the 500 freestyle (4:48.39) to earn All-MVC First Team honors. She also placed top eight in the 200 freestyle (1:49.21), 100 freestyle (50.56) and was a member of the school record breaking 800 freestyle relay team (7:15.49) that placed second to earn All-MVC Honorable Mention for those events. Helmick was also a member of the school record breaking 400 freestyle relay team (3:23.08).
- Molly Kroeger placed third in the 500 freestyle (4:50.44) to earn All-MVC First Team honors. She also placed in the top eight of the 1650 freestyle (16:46.01) with a fourth place finish and was a member of the school record breaking 800 freestyle relay team (7:15.49) that placed second to earn All-MVC Honorable Mention for those events.
- Samantha Wilson earned a third place finish in the 200 butterfly (2:00.71) to be named to the All-MVC First Team. Wilson was also a member of the school record breaking 800 freestyle relay team (7:15.49) that placed second to earn All-MVC Honorable Mention.
- Georgina Bell broke the school record in the 100 backstroke (54.92) and had two top eight finishes (50 freestyle and 100 backstroke) to earn All-MVC Honorable mention. Bell was also a member of the school record breaking 400 freestyle relay team (3:23.08).
- Bella Plude earned All-MVC Honorable Mention with a fourth place finish in the 200 butterfly (2:00.99) and sixth place finish in 100 butterfly (55.10).
- Sophie Stefanac was named All-MVC Honorable Mention for the 100 (55.79) and 200 backstroke (2:02.64).
- Zoe Shields broke two school records as a member of the 400 freestyle relay (3:23.08) and 800 freestyle relay (7:15.49). Shields was named All-MVC Honorable Mention for the 800 freestyle relay.
- Ruhee Chetan earned All-MVC Honorable Mention with an eighth place finish in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.43).
- Macie McCurry broke the school record as a member of the 400 freestyle relay (3:23.08).
MEN
Diving
WOMEN
MEN
The Flames finished the meet with 32 top eight finishes, 10 finishes in the top three and eight records broken.
COMMENT FROM HEAD COACH ASHLEY DELL
"I couldn't be more proud of what this team accomplished this season. It was amazing to see our women continue their upward climb in the MVC, finishing in 4th after placing 5th last year and 7th the year before. Their dedication, resilience, and belief in each other was very clear and I'm proud of their fight. Our men showed incredible heart, competing as a small but mighty group and it was unbelievable to have every single student-athlete score points. That's a testament to their preparation, unity, and willingness to rise to every challenge. Across the board, this team embodied growth, grit, and joy in the process. This MVC championship meet was not just a culmination of hard work, but a reflection of the culture they've built together and I can't wait to see where we go from here."
COMMENT FROM ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH/HEAD DIVING COACH SUSAN BROMBERG
"All 10 of the divers did outstanding this week. Each diver dove well in the prelims which enabled them to come back each night and compete in either the "A" or "B" Final. This is a special group of student athletes and I'm so proud of all of them. Their success on the boards is due to their hard work this season.
It was awesome that Ava was recognized as the Freshman Diver of the Year. She has improved so much this year and I'm so proud of her.
Harrison dove so well this week. Getting the MVC record on both boards and winning the 3 meter event with 6 excellent dives was awesome to watch. And being recognized as the men's diver of the year for the 3rd time is amazing.
Lastly, It is an honor to be recognized by my fellow coaches this year as the Men's Diving Coach of the year."
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
Day One - Wednesday
Day Two - Thursday
Day Three - Friday
Day Four - Saturday
UP NEXT
The swimming and diving teams will be competing in various postseason events that they qualified for throughout the season.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information, fans are encouraged to visit
UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (
@UIC_SwimDive and
@UICFlames) and Instagram (
@uic_swimdive and
@uicflames).
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