Milligan Leads Both Men's, Women's Field following Opening Day of Swimming Championships

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Milligan surged to the top following the first day of the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's and Women's Swimming Championship Meet.

The three-day event is being held at the Kingsport Aquatic Center in the HMG Competition Pool in Kingsport, Tenn.

In the men's team competition, Milligan leads with 294 points, with Tennessee Southern (169 points) in second. Rounding out the field are WVU Tech (138 points), Columbia (83 points), and Pikeville (51 points).

In the women's team competition, Milligans has 302 points, with Brenau sitting at 191. Columbia (96 points) is third, while Tennessee Southern (81 points), Pikeville (39 points), and WVU Tech (25 points) make up the rest of the field.

Here are the 10 champions from the night:

• Women's 200 Medley Relay - Milligan (Mia Windham, Teagan Jose, Mary Grace Bitting, Madison Akbari), 1:49.34
• Men's 200 Medley Relay - Milligan (Paxton Smith, Robert Adam, Christoph Haenel, Caleb Fry), 1:31.30
• Women's 500 Freestyle - Riley Renaud (Milligan), 5:04.59
• Men's 500 Freestyle - Haenel (Milligan), 4:41.54
• Women's 200 IM - Abigail Maniace (Milligan), 2:11.19
• Men's 200 IM - Elijah Holliman (Milligan), 1:50.96
• Women's 50 Freestyle - Sophie Bell (Brenau), 24.12
• Men's 50 Freestyle - Fry (Milligan), 20.72
• Women's 800 Freestyle Relay - Milligan (Emily Newman, Renaud, Maniace, Bitting), 7:53.07
• Men's 800 Freestyle Relay - Milligan (Adam, Gellert Szeldlak, Haenel, Holliman), 6:52.40

For complete results, click here.

The action resumes at 9 a.m. ET on Friday with more prelims. The finals will be 5 p.m. ET.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students for each day of the event. Tickets must be purchased daily. Tickets must be purchased online by clicking here.

The entire event will be streamed live online and can be watched for free by clicking here.

The full schedule of events is available here.