The Columbia men’s swimming and diving team wrapped up the 2026 Ivy League Championships in fourth place, amassing a total of 901.5 points. The championships were held at DeNunzio Pool on Princeton University’s campus. Princeton took first place with 1,474 points, followed by Yale with 1,274.5, and Harvard with 1,173.5 points.
Day One Highlights
The competition kicked off with the 200 medley and the 800 free relay. Columbia’s 200 medley relay team, featuring Isaac Beers, Joshua Corn, Brian Lee, and Zion James, finished strong, securing a bronze medal with a time of 1:25.33. Meanwhile, the 800 free relay team broke a program record, setting a new mark of 6:22.02, thanks to Gian Santos, Derek Hitchens, Kyle Won, and Adam Wu.
Day Two Insights
On day two, James continued to make waves by breaking the school record in the 50 free during prelims. His time of 19.27 was impressive, and he finished fourth in the finals. Samuel Eckert also performed well, securing seventh in the same event. In the 500 free, Zach Vasser claimed eighth place, while Stephen Zhukov won the B finals.
The 200 free relay team shone again, finishing fourth with a record time of 1:17.41, showcasing the Lions’ growing strength.
Day Three Recap
Day three saw Beers shine even brighter, winning a silver medal in the 100 back with a time of 45.89, while also setting a new program record of 45.74 in the prelims. Vasser and Zhukov added depth to the team with solid fourth and fifth place finishes in the 1000 free. Columbia’s relay teams continued to impress, with the 400 medley relay squad claiming another bronze.
Day Four Highlights
The Lions capped off the championships with outstanding performances. Beers won silver in the 200 back, again breaking his own record at 1:40.58. Corn also made history by winning bronze in the 200 breast with a time of 1:52.34.
As if that wasn’t enough, James played a key role in the 400 free relay team that set a new program record at 2:51.94. He also broke the 100 free record with a time of 42.63.
Diving Achievements
On the diving front, Joseph Nicol made a mark by finishing eighth in the 3m competition. His score of 287.55 in the A Finals highlighted his talent, while he also impressed on the 1m boards with a score of 298.75, finishing 10th. Head Diving Coach Scott Donie praised Nicol’s impressive performance, especially in his final Ivy League meet.
Looking Ahead
All qualified divers will now gear up for the NCAA Zone Diving competition on March 9. The Columbia men’s swimming and diving team continues to build on its legacy, shaping a promising future for its athletes.
This year’s championships highlighted Columbia’s potential. With young talent and record-breaking swims, they are setting a new standard that could lead to even more remarkable achievements down the line.
For further details on the full results, check the official tournament report.
