INDIANAPOLIS — Washington and Lee will be represented across both the men's and women's competitions at the 2026 NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships, set for March 18–21 at the IU Natatorium. The Generals qualified multiple entries through their performances at the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championships and will compete in a combination of individual and relay events across all four days.
Men's Preview
Washington and Lee qualified two individuals across three events, along with three relay entries, highlighting both individual excellence and relay depth at the national level.
Senior Dalton Jobe will lead the individual contingent, competing in both the 200 freestyle (Day 2) and 200 individual medley (Day 1). Jobe enters the championships following a record-setting ODAC performance, including a conference-record swim of 1:37.65 in the 200 free and a program-record 1:47.78 in the 200 IM. He is seeded in Heat 5 of 5 for the 200 IM prelims.
Junior Leighton Chapman will compete in two sprint freestyle events, swimming the 50 freestyle (Day 1) and 100 freestyle (Day 4). Chapman secured his NCAA berth with a 44.08 in the 100 free at ODACs and is slated for Heat 4 of 7 in the 50 free prelims.
Washington and Lee will also compete in three freestyle relays:
- 200 Freestyle Relay (Day 2)
- 800 Freestyle Relay (Day 3)
- 400 Freestyle Relay (Day 4)
The 800 free relay enters the meet as an ODAC champion after posting a 6:34.71, while the 400 free relay qualified with a 2:58.69. The consistent core of Chapman, Jobe and Byars across all three relays provides experience and versatility in multiple race formats.
Event Schedule (W&L Combined Entries by Competition Day)
- Day 1 (March 18)
- Day 2 (March 19)
- 200 Freestyle – Dalton Jobe
- 200 Freestyle Relay (Chapman, Gordon, Byars, Jobe)
- Day 3 (March 20)
- 800 Freestyle Relay (Jobe, Chapman, Byars, Denton)
- 200 Backstroke – Maria Jellig
- Day 4 (March 21)
- 100 Freestyle – Leighton Chapman
- 400 Freestyle Relay (Chapman, Gordon, Byars, Jobe)
Notes
- Daily preliminary heat sheets will be released by the NCAA one day prior to each event session.
- Official championship information, including live results and updates, will be available at NCAA.com, here.
Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.
