Cavaliers Place Fourth in 800 Free Relay at NCAA Championships

March 25, 2026

Sport: Men’s Swimming (@UVASwimDive)

Contact: Melissa Dudek

 

Cavaliers Place Fourth in 800 Free Relay at NCAA Championships

ATLANTA  – The Virginia men’s 800 Free Relay team logged a fourth-place finish on the opening night of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship at the McAuley Aquatics Center in Atlanta, Ga.

Freshmen Maximus Williamson and Thomas Heilman, sophomore David King and senior Jack Aikins posted a time of 6:06.85 in the 800 Free Relay, setting the Virginia program record in the event. Williamson’s leadoff split of 1:30.43 also set a program record for the 200 Free.

The Cavaliers swam in the morning session, posting the top time of the early heats by over two-and-a-half seconds. After the final eight teams swam in the evening session, Virginia’s mark earned the Cavaliers a fourth-place podium finish and First Team All-America honors. It was the highest finish by a Virginia relay since 2012 and tied for the second-highest finish ever for a UVA relay at the NCAA Championships.

Four Cavaliers will be in action on Thursday in individual events, with Heilman and sophomore Spencer Nicholas competing in the 100 Fly and King and Williamson swimming the 200 Free. Virginia will also compete in the 200 Free Relay.

Prelims begin at 10 a.m. with the final session starting at 6 p.m. Both sessions will stream live on ESPN+.

NOTES

• Virginia dropped 3.32 seconds off their seed time of 6:10.17
• Texas won the race with a time of 6:05.82
• The Cavaliers are in 11th place in the team standings after the first day of competition