2026 Missouri Valley Conference Championships
- Dates: Wednesday, February 25–Saturday, February 28
- Location: Deaconess Aquatic Center, Evansville, IN
- Defending Champions: Indiana State women (1x); Miami-OH (1x)
- Live Results (MeetMobile)
- Live Video
- Championship Central
- SwimSwam Fan Guide
- Teams: Ball State, Evansville, Illinois-Chicago*, Illinois State (women), Indiana State (women), Little Rock (women), Miami-OH (men), Missouri State, Northern Iowa (women), Southern Illinois, UIC, UMass (men)*, Valparaiso
- Day 1 Results | Day 2 Results | Day 3 Results
- Day 1 Recap | Day 2 Recap
TEAM STANDINGS (THRU DAY 3)
WOMEN
- Southern Illinois – 875
- Indiana State – 854
- Missouri State – 796.5
- UIC – 731.5
- Northern Iowa – 629
- Little Rock – 623
- Illinois State – 475
- Evansville – 242
- Valparaiso – 185
MEN
- Missouri State – 1086
- Miami (OH) – 1067.5
- Southern Illinois – 890.5
- Ball State – 670.5
- UMass – 649
- UIC – 633.5
- Evansville – 300
- Valparaiso – 290
The 3rd day of the 2026 MVC Championships saw more excitement in the team standings. In the women’s standings, Southern Illinois has jumped into the lead over Indiana State, though, SIU only leads ISU by 21 points heading into the final day of the meet. Missouri State is still holding onto a close 3rd, sitting just 78.5 points behind Southern Illinois. In the men’s team standings, Missouri State is still holding onto their lead, but only just so, as Miami (OH) is a mere 18.5 points behind.
The Friday night session kicked off with the women’s 200 fly, where Southern Illinois senior Olivia Herron won in 1:59.75. It was a tight race, as Indiana State senior Haley Halsall touched 2nd in 1:59.82. Having Herron compete in the 200 fly wound up being a great decision for Southern Illinois. Herron is a 59.24 100 breaststroker, but SIU has a strong contingent of 100 breaststrokers behind her, meanwhile, Herron was the only Saluki to make the ‘A’ final in the 200 fly. The decision paid off, as it helps Southern Illinois maximize their points tonight, and take the lead heading into the final day of the meet.
Miami (OH) senior Allen Cotton posted a 1:44.23 to win, touching 1st in the a very close race. Missouri State junior Anderson Brown came in 2nd with a 1:44.26, while Miami sophomore Owen Hoban clocked a 1:44.63 for 3rd. All 3 men were under the MVC record, which stood at 1:44.67, and was held by Hoban from last year.
In the women’s 100 breast, Indiana State’s Ali Pearson clocked a 1:01.52 to earn the gold medal. Pearson was just off her career best of 1:01.34.
The men’s 100 breast saw the MVC’s first automatic qualifier to the NCAA Championships next month. Missouri State freshman Kiefer Roemer posted a 52.56, which broke the MVC record. Roemer held the previous record with the 52.80 he swam at mid season. Additionally, Roemer was under the NCAA qualifying time of 52.58, which means he has earned an invite to NCAAs with his swim tonight.
Liseska Gallegos Gutierrez, an SIU senior, won the women’s 100 back in 53.34. Gutierrez dominated the race, touching 1st by well over a second.
The men’s 100 back saw Miami junior Jensen Nelson claim victory with a 46.71. The performance marks Nelson’s first time under 47 seconds in the event.
Missouri State took the women’s 800 free relay, seeing Lana Janson (1:48.38), Ainsley Jenkins (1:48.35), Sophia Dela Coleta (1:50.80), and Makenzie Kurre (1:47.15) team up for a 7:14.68.
The men’s 800 free relay was won by Southern Illinois, with Rodrigo Ramos Chavez (1:37.22), Juraj Barcot (1:38.38), Alex Cimera (1:36.11), and Willem Huggins (1:34.21) combining for a 6:25.92.
UIC senior Harrison Nolan set a new championship record in men’s 3-meter diving, winning the event with a score of 390.70.
