University at Buffalo
MAC Championships Day 4
Donmez Sets New School Record as 10 Bulls Compete in Finals on Day Four of MAC Championships
2/28/2026 10:23:00 PM | Swimming and Diving
AKRON, OHIO – The University at Buffalo swimming and diving program competed at the final day of the MAC Swimming & Diving Championships on Saturday. The Bulls ended the four-day competition in fifth place with 446 points.
IN THE POOL
Pinar Donmez highlighted the night in the pool for the Bulls, setting a new school record in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:13.30. Donmez placed fourth in the finals of the event, trailing the bronze medalist swimmer by less than three tenths of a second (2:13.03). The freshman qualified for the finals by posting a time of 2:15.35 in the preliminary round to place sixth of 28 swimmers.
Ava Pauly placed third in the consolation finals of the 200-yard breaststroke with a new personal best time of 2:16.98. The sophomore placed 11th in the event overall. Pauly fell just shy of the program's all-time top 10 (2:16.61). Grace Rider trailed Pauly closely, finishing fourth in the heat (2:17.63) and 12th overall. Rider finished ninth in the preliminary round to qualify for the B-final. The junior's time of 2:16.19 was less than half a second shy of the finals cut (2:15.81). Madi Tewksbury missed the consolation finals cut by less than half of a second (2:19.52), placing 19th with a time of 2:19.89.
Bella Forsman (4th, 2:00.10) and Kamilla Nemes (6th, 2:00.52) set personal best times in the 200-yard butterfly finals. Forsman's time earned the seventh spot in program history, with Nemes taking the ninth spot. Forsman (6th, 2:01.67) and Nemes (7th, 2:01.68) qualified for the finals by finishing inside the top eight of 26 swimmers in the preliminary heats. Maddy Schnelzer also competed for the Bulls, finishing 20th with a time of 2:06.33.
Forsman and Nemes earned All-MAC Second Team honors, announced at the conclusion of the meet.
Nicole Aguilar posted a personal record time of 50.00 in the 100-yard butterfly consolation finals to place second in the heat and 10th overall. The senior's time nearly joined the program ranks, missing the list by a tenth of a second (49.90). Jillian Strine also competed for the program, taking eighth in the consolation finals with a time of 50.91 and 16th in the heat overall. Aguilar (9th, 50.14) and Strine (11th, 50.17) qualified for the B-final heat by placing top 16 in the field of 39 swimmers. Strine's preliminary round time was a personal best. Alex Bulat placed 17th with a time of 50.60, missing the consolation finals cut by less than two tenths of a second (50.54).
Hattie Wasmuth posted a time of 1:59.42 in the consolation finals of the 200-yard backstroke to place sixth in the heat and 14th overall. The freshman's time was a personal record that rose to sixth in program history. Wasmuth opened the morning for the Bulls by qualifying for the consolation finals of the event (2:00.54). Vivian Roy also competed for the Bulls (30th, 2:05.48).
The Bulls had three seniors compete in the 1,650-yard freestyle. Elise McCaul (13th, 17:07.71), Ava Cunningham (15th, 17:11.50) and Karen Austin (20th, 17:29.97). McCaul's time was a personal record, falling within seven seconds of the program's all-time top 10 (17:01.20).
The Bulls closed out the night with the 400-yard freestyle relay, placing fifth. The team of Bulat, Aguilar, Forsman and Strine finished the event in 3:19.74. The time fell just shy of the program's all-time top 10 (3:19.39).
DIVING WELL
Adele Melamud and Presley Dorsett concluded diving on Saturday night with the three-meter finals. Melamud was the Bulls' top finisher, placing fifth with a score of 264.85. Dorsett earned sixth with a score of 262.50. Melamud (3rd, 288.55) and Dorsett (6th, 271.85) placed top eight in the field of 35 divers in the preliminary round on Friday to qualify for the event finals.
The Bulls earned five of the 16 finals spots across the one-meter and three-meter diving finals. Sophie Meuwissen (2nd, 282.60) and Mallory Hanna (3rd, 279.80) earned medals in the one-meter on Thursday. Melamud placed eighth in the one-meter finals (248.55). Melamud was one of five divers to qualify for both event finals.
Following the conference championships, Head Diving Coach Russ Dekker was named the MAC Diving Coach of the Year for the sixth consecutive season.
FINAL STANDINGS
| Akron | 771 |
| Ohio | 559 |
| Ball State | 500 |
| Miami (OH) | 492 |
| Buffalo | 446 |
| Eastern Michigan | 263 |
| Massachusetts | 195 |
| Toledo | 174 |
| Bowling Green | 159 |
All results from the 2026 MAC Swimming & Diving Championships can be accessed here.
UP NEXT
The Bulls continue the swimming and diving season at NCAA Zone A Diving Championships, scheduled for Monday, March 9th, through Wednesday, March 11th. A complete schedule for Buffalo Swimming & Diving can be accessed here.
For all the latest on Buffalo 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").
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Players Mentioned
