In a stunning display of talent, NC State's Max Carlsen made a remarkable nine-second drop in the 500 freestyle during his freshman season, propelling him to ACC gold and rewriting the record books.
The 2026 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships:
The stage was set for an exciting competition at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, GA. The event, spanning from February 15th to 21st, promised thrilling diving and swimming performances.
Dates and Key Information:
- Diving: February 15th to 17th
- Swimming: February 17th to 21st
- Location: McAuley Aquatic Center, Atlanta, GA
- Defending Champions: UVA women (6-time winners) and Cal men (1-time winners)
- Live Results and Video: Available on official platforms
- Schedule and Psych Sheets: Accessible via provided links
The Men's 500 Freestyle Showdown:
And now, the moment you've been waiting for... The men's 500 freestyle event was a highly anticipated race, with several records and personal bests on the line. Here's how the action unfolded:
- NCAA Record: Léon Marchand from ASU set the bar high with a time of 4:02.31 in 2024.
- ACC Record: Lucas Henveaux from California held the conference record at 4:06.74, set in 2025.
- ACC Championship Record: The same Lucas Henveaux also held the championship record at 4:08.83.
- Pool Record: Matthew Sates from Georgia claimed the pool record with a time of 4:06.61 in 2022.
- 2025 NCAA Invite Time: The qualifying time for the 2025 NCAA Championships stood at 4:14.13.
The Race Unfolds:
1. Max Carlsen (NCST) shocked the crowd with a remarkable 4:09.44, a massive improvement from his previous best.
2. Ethan Ekk (STAN) finished second with a time of 4:11.07.
3. Ryan Erisman (CAL) claimed the third spot with a time of 4:11.50.
4. Eduardo Oliveira de Moraes (CAL) followed closely with a time of 4:11.96.
5. Nathan Wiffen (CAL) rounded out the top 5 with a time of 4:12.57.
6. Patrick Branon (ND) and Oscar Isberg (UL) also made the top 8.
But here's where it gets intriguing... Carlsen, a native of Las Vegas, had a career-best of 4:11.89 before these championships. In the prelims, he finished a strong third, but the finals were his moment to shine. With a lightning-fast start, he led from the beginning, posting impressive splits. His final 100 was a scorcher, securing the win and leaving his competitors in his wake.
A Freshmen's Journey:
Carlsen's journey as a freshman has been nothing short of extraordinary. Before joining the Wolfpack, his personal best was 4:18.87, set in high school. Since then, he's consistently improved, and his ACC title is the cherry on top of an already impressive season. But the question remains: Can he go even faster?
Records Shattered:
With his latest performance, Carlsen has secured the second-fastest time in the Wolfpack's history, surpassing Ross Dant's 4:10.35. Now, he sets his sights on Anton Ipsen's 2018 program record of 4:09.19. Will he be able to surpass it? Only time will tell.
What do you think? Is Carlsen's future in swimming even brighter than his impressive freshman year? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
