Bey Record, Breaststroke Strength Highlight First Prelim Session

Thursday, February 26

Madison, Wis.

11 a.m.

Indiana University

Big Ten Championships - Prelims

Bey Record, Breaststroke Strength Highlight First Prelim Session

2/26/2026 3:30:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving

Results (PDF)

MADISON, Wis. – Josh Bey was stunned when he saw his time on the scoreboard.

In the prelim of the 400 individual medley, the Indiana freshman swam a 3:36.92 – 2.81 seconds better than the IU program record and 5.69 seconds better than his previous personal best. He raised and lowered his arms in an "I-U" motion and struck the water.

His swim was the highlight of Indiana's Thursday (Feb. 26) morning, the first preliminary session of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Swimming and Diving Championships inside the Soderholm Family Aquatic Center on the campus of the University of Wisconsin. IU will look forward to having 10 'A' finalists, six 'B' finalists and two 'C' finalists Thursday night. The evening session will kick off at 6 p.m. ET, with IU's first event starting at 6:30 p.m.

Bey's time ranked second-best in the morning – and fifth-fastest among freshmen all-time – and he will lead five Hoosiers into finals in the event. Freshman Noah Cakir also advanced to the championship final, while sophomore Luke Whitlock (3:43.88) and freshman Luke Ellis (3:44.62) made the consolation final. Senior Zalán Sárkány rounded it out in the 'C' final.

In familiar fashion, Indiana built a wall of crimson in the breaststroke event. Four Hoosiers will advance to the 100-yard breaststroke championship final: sophomores Alexei Avakov (51.38) and Travis Gulledge (51.41) as well as juniors Toby Barnett (51.84) and Dylan Smiley (52.04).

Both of Indiana's scoring divers advanced to the 1-meter championship final to help maximize Indiana's night. Senior Maxwell Weinrich (335.70) and sophomore Joshua Sollenberger (332.45) finished sixth and seventh, respectively, in the prelim. The final diver of the morning, Sollenberger hit a Forward 2 1/2 Somersault 1 Twist Pike for 64 points to sneak into the 'A' final.

Seven more Hoosiers moved on to the evening session between the 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard freestyle. Senior Owen McDonald's 44.86 in the 100 fly ranked tied for fifth in the morning. Junior Aaron Shackell is a favorite to reach the podium in the 200 free, ranking third in the prelim with a 1:32.57.

TEAM SCORES
1. Michigan – 116
2. Ohio State – 114
3. Indiana – 110
4. Wisconsin – 102
5. Northwestern – 100
6. USC – 98
7. Purdue – 96
8. Minnesota – 92
9. Penn State – 40

RESULTS
100 BUTTERFLY
t5. Owen McDonald – 44.86 (Championship Final)
10. Raekwon Noel – 45.37 (Consolation Final)
16. Andrew Shackell – 46.12 (Consolation Final)
20. Mikkel Lee – 46.23 (C Final, Personal Best)
X. Max Lestina – 46.23 (Exhibition)
X. Lukas Paegle – 47.17 (Exhibition)
X. Max Cahill – 48.07 (Exhibition)
X. Utkarsh Patil – 48.49 (Exhibition)

400 IM
2. Josh Bey – 3:36.92 (Championship Final, Program Record, Personal Best)
7. Noah Cakir – 3:41.61 (Championship Final)
11. Luke Whitlock – 3:43.88 (Consolation Final, Personal Best)
14. Luke Ellis – 3:44.62 (Consolation Final)
18. Zalán Sárkány – 3:46.05 (C Final)
X. David Kovacs – 3:48.48 (Exhibition)
X. Drew Reiter – 3:48.63 (Exhibition)

200 FREESTYLE
3. Aaron Shackell – 1:32.57 (Championship Final)
12. Miroslav Knedla – 1:33.50 (Consolation Final, Personal Best)
13. Kai van Westering – 1:33.55 (Consolation Final)
X. Cooper McDonald – 1:34.90 (Exhibition)
X. Brandon Fleck – 1:35.72 (Exhibition)

100 BREASTSTROKE
3. Alexei Avakov – 51.38 (Championship Final)
4. Travis Gulledge – 51.41 (Championship Final, Personal Best)
6. Toby Barnett – 51.84 (Championship Final, Personal Best)
7. Dylan Smiley – 52.04 (Championship Final, Personal Best)
X. Collin McKenzie (Exhibition)

1-METER DIVING
6. Maxwell Weinrich – 335.70 (Championship Final)
7. Joshua Sollenberger – 332.45 (Championship Final)
X. Jacob Schade – 309.90 (Exhibition)
X. Aiden Sadler – 298.35 (Exhibition)
X. Dash Glasberg – 257.00 (Exhibition)

UP NEXT
Thursday night's finals sessions at the 2026 Big Ten Men's Swimming and Diving Championships will kick off at 6 p.m. ET with the consolation final of the 1-meter diving competition. Hoosiers will compete in finals of the 100 butterfly, 400 IM, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 1-meter diving and 200 freestyle relay.

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