The University of Utah swim and dive team secured two gold medals and achieved eight top-four finishes during the second day of the 2026 Big 12 Conference Championships, held at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in North Carolina on Wednesday.
At the conclusion of day two, Utah’s men’s team is ranked second out of seven teams with 473 points. The women’s team holds fourth place among ten teams with a total of 288 points.
Nick Chirafisi won gold in the men’s 500-yard freestyle, setting a new program record. Evan VanBrocklin earned first place in the 200-yard individual medley, recording a personal best time. Jones Lambert finished just behind Chirafisi to take silver in the 500 free. Erin Palmer placed fourth in the women’s 50 free, marking the top finish for Utah’s women swimmers that day.
“We had a really good session on the men’s side and I am extremely proud of how we executed and how we were able to get up and get some really nice wins,” said head coach Jonas Persson. “A lot of the guys took care of business this morning and made it into the final in the afternoon and scored major points. We had a decent day on the women’s side and made some nice swims this morning to make it back for finals. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do tomorrow morning and have a lot of girls make it back and keep moving up in the rankings.”
In diving events, Emilia Nilsson Garip, Kathryn Grant, and Callie Eaglestone finished second, third, and fourth respectively on women’s 1-meter springboard. On men’s side, Elias Petersen took silver on 1-meter with a personal best score.
“We continue to just light the boards on fire here, it’s been really fun to watch,” said head diving coach Richard Marschner. “From Cierra Cole moving up about 30 places from her seeding, to Kathryn, Callie and Emilia going two-three-four, and the nightcap with Elias pushing for that conference title right to the end, what an exciting evening. You can’t ask for anything more from a team. I’m thrilled that it’s coming together for them, and the belief that they’re showing in themselves and each other is really what it’s all about. I think we’ve got another great day ahead of us tomorrow and we’re going to continue this momentum throughout.”
“The divers were phenomenal,” Persson added. “I could not be more proud and I’m very happy with how Richard is coaching them.”
During preliminary heats earlier Wednesday:
– Seven Utah men qualified for finals in the 500 free; Chirafisi (4:17.74), Lambert (4:20.04), Nolan Arnholt (4:20.31) advanced to championship finals.
– Oskar Farkas won his heat with a personal best (4:23.39) qualifying for consolation finals.
– Hayley Smith was Utah’s only woman finalist in this event.
– In total, nine Utes moved into finals for the 200 IM; four reached championship finals.
– Palmer advanced third overall into championship final of women’s 50 Free.
– Six divers progressed past prelims; Grant led Utah women by placing second on one-meter board.
In championship finals:
– Chirafisi (4:13.48) set an all-time fastest mark by any Ute while winning gold in men’s 500 Free; Lambert (4:15.70) followed with silver.
– VanBrocklin claimed gold in men’s 200 IM (1:43.80), now holding second fastest time ever by a Ute.
– Nilsson Garip topped Utah’s women divers on one-meter board (303.95), joined by Grant (bronze) and Eaglestone (fourth).
– Petersen’s new personal best score (425.30) secured him silver on three-meter board—just two points short of first place.
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