NC State Men's Swimming Team Shatters Records at 2026 ACC Championships
The NC State men's swimming team made history at the 2026 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championships, breaking multiple records and defending their title from the previous year. With a time of 1:14.02 in the 200-meter freestyle relay, they not only set a new ACC record but also a meet record. This achievement is all the more impressive considering the team's previous success in the event.
The relay's success was largely due to the outstanding performance of Quintin McCarty, who swam the second leg with a split time of 18.19 seconds, the fastest split among the NC State men. This split time was crucial in breaking the previous ACC record of 1:14.12, set by the California men at the 2025 NCAA Championships. The team's overall performance was exceptional, with all members swimming under the 19-second mark.
NC State's dominance in the 200-meter freestyle relay is a testament to their recent success in the event. They have won the relay for the last four seasons, marking their 11th title in the event and the second-most among ACC schools, behind only Florida State, who has won the 200-meter freestyle relay 12 times.
The 2026 ACC Championships will take place at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, Georgia, from February 15 to 21. The diving events will commence on Sunday, February 15, followed by the swimming events from Tuesday, February 17. The defending champions are the UVA women (with six titles) and the Cal men (with one title).
The championship will be broadcast live on ESPN+ for those who wish to watch the thrilling competition. For those who prefer to follow the results from home, the live results will be available on the official ACC Swimming website.
The teams participating in the 2026 ACC Championships include Boston College, Cal, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami (women's swimming & diving/men's diving), NC State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, SMU, Stanford, Virginia, and Virginia Tech. The championship promises to be a highly competitive event, with teams vying for the top spots and breaking records along the way.
