5 Dual Meets to Watch for the Men’s College Swim Season
The college season is underway, with the much-anticipated season already featuring several College Swimming League meets, nonleague matchups and intrasquad battles. The CSL will continue with its third match this coming weekend in Northern California, and there will be plenty of great men’s dual meet matchups into 2027, from conference rivalries to top-ranked teams facing off. Here’s a look at some top meets for the season ahead.
5. #7 N.C State at #10 Virginia- January 22
After a thrilling battle at the College Swim League last weekend, the buzz surrounding this meet has only grown.
The teams traded blows throughout the competition, each putting together impressive times early in the season. The sprint events were key for the Wolfpack, with Kaii Winkler and Quintin McCarty taking first and second in the 50 free skins event and Jerry Fox winning the 100 free in 41.79. The Cavaliers’ prowess in the stroke events gave them an advantage, though, as David King won the 100 (45.52) and 200 backstroke (1:39.11) and Spencer Nicholas took the 100 IM (47.15). Meanwhile, Thomas Heilman is a force in multiple areas.
With differing strengths and impressive depth for both squads, expect the unexpected in this one.
4. #3 Florida at #10 Virginia – October 17
N.C. State will certainly be a tough test for the Cavaliers. But a matchup with the Gators, a perennial championship contender, threatens to be even more difficult.
After a second-place finish at NCAA’s a season ago, Florida might be even better a year later. Former Longhorn standout and U.S. Olympian David Johnston will join distance star Ahmed Jaouadi, a multi-time world champion in 2025 who swam the fastest time ever in the 1650-yard free last March.
With Virginia’s strong core of young, talented swimmers, expectations will be high for them this fall. But can they topple one of college swimming’s giants?
3. #8 Michigan at #2 Indiana – January 8
Across men’s college swimming, no team has dominated their conference like the Hoosiers.
Ray Looze’s squad has captured the last five Big Ten Conference championships, including an impressive 2026 showing. And as the second-ranked team in the nation, the pressure will be on to replicate the success.
Even considering the Hoosiers’ talent, the matchup with the Wolverines won’t be an easy one. Indiana graduated Zalan Sarkany and Owen McDonald, seemingly leaving them with less star power. But both athletes have been extended an additional year of eligibility. And Lorne Winnington, fourth in the 400 IM at last year’s NCAA Championships returns for a Michigan team looking to pull off an upset.
Can the Wolverines take down the Big Ten’s titan? Or will the Hoosiers sustain their success? It should be an epic clash between these two teams, with very real stakes.
2. #8 Stanford at #4 California – January 30
College swimming’s most famous rivalry never fails to disappoint. Last year, Stanford defeated Cal, 181-119, dominating the Bears while celebrating senior night. Junior Ethan Ekk (11th in 200 IM, 12th in 200 back at NCAAs) and Henry McFadden (third in 200 free) each had a great meet, helping the Cardinal pull off the win.
Cal is well-equipped to get revenge this year, though, returning some of the nation’s best, including NCAA breaststroke champ Yamato Okadome and talented distance swimmer Ryan Erisman, the latter of whom is coming off a breakout long course campaign this summer.
1. #1 Texas at #2 Indiana vs. Northwestern (Tri-Meet) – October 9
Even with all of the great options, no dual meet could top the nation’s two top-ranked teams competing.
The Longhorns and the Hoosiers put on a spectacle at the NCAA Championships a year ago. Texas came home with a title, and Indiana earned its second straight podium finish. Both are looking for more, though, with an array of returning talent.
Promising stroke swimmers Josh Bey (second in the 200 breast, seventh in the 400 IM and seventh in the 200 IM at NCAA champs) and Alexei Akakov (sixth in the 100 breast) both had strong summers, and will be key contributors for the Hoosiers. They’ll have strong competition from the Longhorns, though, who bring back top breaststrokers Nate Germonprez (third in 100 breast, fifth in 200 breast at NCAA championships) and Campbell McKean (second in 100 breast), along with the versatile Will Modglin (fourth in 200 IM, fourth in 100 back, eighth in 100 breast).
This early-season battle should tell us a lot about both teams, and where they stand in their pursuit of new heights.
