University at Buffalo
MAC Championships Day 1
Swim & Dive To Compete at MAC Championships Wednesday Through Saturday
2/23/2026 1:17:00 PM | Swimming and Diving
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo swimming and diving program is competing at the 2026 Mid-American Conference Swimming & Diving Championships, this Wednesday, February 25th, through Saturday, February 28th, on the University of Akron campus.
The Bulls enter MAC Championships looking to earn their second conference championship in the 2020's decade. The Bulls last won the MAC in 2021 and have earned top-four placements every season since, including second-place finishes in 2022 and 2023.
The program had a strong 2025-2026 regular season, posting a 5-2 record in head-to-head matchups and a 2-2 record against conference opponents. The Bulls earned conference wins over Miami (OH) and Toledo, while falling to Ohio and Ball State. The team earned non-conference wins over Niagara, Marshall and Duquesne.
In the pool, the Bulls have three returning athletes who earned medals at last year's conference championships, including Bella Forsman, who was named MAC Freshman Swimmer of the Year. Forsman earned a silver medal in the 400-yard individual medley (4:16.60). Ava Cunningham earned a bronze medal in the women's 500-yard freestyle (4:51.83). Forsman and Abbey Gardner also helped the Bulls to a silver medal finish in the 800-yard freestyle relay (7:13.42).
The freshman class also features competitive swimmers, three of whom joined the program's record book. Pinar Donmez set a new school record in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:13.98) and ranks third in program history in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:01.72), both times set at Akron. Hattie Wasmuth joined the 200-yard backstroke program rankings at Akron too (1:59.82). Kamilla Nemes was the third freshman swimmer to join the program's all-time ranks, earning 10th in the 400-yard individual medley (4:21.99).
The Bulls have three divers returning that won medals at last year's championships in Presley Dorsett, Mallory Hanna and Sophie Meuwissen. Dorsett earned a silver medal in the three-meter dive (281.20). Meuwissen grabbed a bronze medal in the three-meter (269.05) and Hanna brought home bronze in the one-meter (256.90).
The Buffalo divers had a strong 2025-2026 as a team, winning 14 of the 16 events they competed in, with four different divers earning a first-place finish for the program. The team also won three MAC Diver of the Week awards, with freshman Adele Melamud being honored twice and Dorsett once. Melamud also joined the program's all-time top 10 in the three-meter dive, taking seventh with a score of 321.55.
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
- Day 1 (Wednesday, Feb. 25th): 200 Medley Relay, 800 Free Relay
- Day 2 (Thursday, Feb. 26th): 500 Free, 200 IM, 50 Free, 1M Diving, 400 Medley Relay
- Day 3 (Friday, Feb. 27th): 100 Fly, 400 IM, 200 Free, 100 Breast, 100 Back, 3M Diving, 200 Free
- Day 4 (Saturday, Feb. 28th): 1650 Free, 200 Back, 100 Free, 200 Breast, 200 Fly, 3M Diving Finals, 400 Free Relay
RESULTS, STREAMING & INFORMATION
All information regarding MAC Swimming & Diving Championships can be accessed here, including access to live streams and day-by-day schedules.
For all the latest on UB Swimming & Diving, check out the official website of the Buffalo Bulls, and follow the program on Instagram (@UBSwimDiveTeam), X (@UBSwimDiveTeam) and Facebook ("Buffalo Bulls Swimming and Diving").
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
Click here for ticket information regarding all athletic events.
Players Mentioned
