ATLANTA (March 18, 2026) – Sophomore Macey Hansen swam in the opening heat of the 2026 NCAA women's swimming and diving championships, Wednesday.

Head coach Dave Denniston said, "I'm really proud of how Macey handled today. With the new NCAA format and swimming in the very first heat of the meet, we weren't sure what to expect, but she was fearless."

In the only individual event of the opening day of the championships, Hansen competed in the 1,650-yard Freestyle. In heat one and swimming out of lane four, she would place sixth in the heat and 37th overall with a time of 16:35.06.

"She didn't have the race she is capable of, and that's on me for not preparing her to race this early in the meet and this early in the day," said Denniston.

Hansen's heat started at 10 a.m. in Atlanta, with her body clock at 8 a.m. Even with this early start, the Cowgirl mile record holder would have set the No. 3 time in program history.

"Her leadership and tenacity are shining through, and it's really special for our program to have an NCAA qualifier for a swimmer's first two years with a program," said Denniston.

This is Hansen's second time swimming at NCAAs. Last year as a freshman, she competed in the 500- and 1,650-yard Freestyle with finishes in 62nd and 33rd, respectively.

UP NEXT
Junior Tara Joyce will take on the 200-yard Freestyle while senior Alicia Gonzalez will compete in the 1-Meter dive tomorrow for the Cowgirls with prelims beginning at 8 a.m. MT and finals at 4:03 p.m. MT.

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