February 11, 2026

TAMPA MEN SET MEET RECORD IN 800 FREE RELAY; WOMEN TAKE SECOND ON OPENING NIGHT OF SSC CHAMPIONSHIPS

OCALA, Fla. – The University of Tampa swimming programs opened the 2026 Sunshine State Conference Championships with dominant relay performances, headlined by a meet-record victory from the Spartan men in the 800-yard freestyle relay. The Tampa women also impressed with a runner‑up finish to position both programs strongly after the first night of competition.

Day One Team Standings

Men – 1st Place, 58 points
Women – 2nd Place, 48 points (behind Nova Southeastern's 58)

Women's 800 Freestyle Relay

The Spartan women earned the evening's first podium finish, placing second in 7:21.62 behind Nova Southeastern. The relay team of Avery Frece, McKenna Patrick, Laura Hodgson, and Lindsey Louder outperformed their seed time and maintained firm control of the runner‑up position throughout the race.
Tampa's "B" relay of Sofia Krstolic, Burlingtyn Bokos, Alyssa Webb, and Carlie Tyler added key points with a 10th‑place overall finish in 7:28.67, showing strong program depth on opening night.

Men's 800 Freestyle Relay

The UT men delivered the performance of the night, racing to an SSC title in 6:24.37, a time that established a new SSC Championship meet record. The quartet of Barnabas Fluck, Jacob Hamlin, Nick Cavic, and Josh Noll surged ahead early and never relinquished control, beating their seed by more than five seconds.
Hamlin's 1:34.40 split and Noll's 1:37.53 anchor powered the Spartans to the top of the podium in the night's only men's event. Tampa's time set the new meet standard for the 800 free relay, marking the first championship record of the week.
The Spartans' "B" squad of Aidan Clements, Elliot Weisel, Mathias Holmann, and Julian Ithier placed ninth in 6:34.85, giving UT valuable team points and reinforcing the depth that propelled them to a Day One lead.

Up Next

Day two prelims will begin on Thursday at 10 a.m., followed by the finals at 6 p.m.