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Men's Swimming and Diving 3/13/2026 1:04:00 PM Braden Golisek - Assistant Director of Sports Information

Ballardin to swim in Championship Heat at NCAA Championships

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- Freshman Matteo Ballardin earned a spot in the championship heat of the 200 fly in this morning's prelim session.

Ballardin handily won his heat with a time of 1:44.90, and after two more heats competed, he would finish seventh overall, earning a spot in tonight's championship heat. Ballardin's time of 1:44.90 was less than one second off of the preliminary leader, Gabriel Morales, at 1:43.97.

Senior Andrew Tease earned a spot in the consolation final of the 100 breaststroke tonight, posting a time of 54.27 to finish 14th overall.

Both Tobie Stiles and Travis Thornton will compete in the qualifying dives. Those scores and final results will be updated after the conclusion of the finals tonight, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET. Fans can watch for free at NCAA.com, and follow along with live results using the Meet Mobile app.

How It Happened
Tease swam in the fourth and final heat of the 100 breast, taking off from lane two. Tease swam a 54.27 to finish fifth in his heat and 14th overall, earning a spot in the consolation finals tonight.

Ballardin swam in heat two of four in the 200 fly, controlling lane five in the middle of the pool. The freshman had a confident swim with excellent underwater work, pulling ahead in the final stretch to win the heat and post a 1:44.90, winning his heat by a second and claiming the top qualifying spot after two heats. Ballardin would finish seventh, earning a spot in the championship heat.

Running Event Count

Friday, March 13
Prelims
Event 26 - 100 breast: Tease 14th, will swim in 'B' final tonight
Event 28 - 200 fly: Ballardin 7th, will swim in 'A' final tonight
Event 29 - 3-meter diving: Stiles, Thornton - TBD

Thursday, March 12
Finals
Event 13 - 100 fly: Nolles 15th, 2nd team All-America honors
Event 15 - 400 IM: Ballardin 11th, 2nd team All-America honors
Event 20 - 400 Medley Relay: Ballardin, Tease, Nolles, Leroux 12th

Prelims
Event 13 - 100 fly: Nolles 15th, will swim in 'B' final tonight
Event 15 - 400 IM: Ballardin 11th, will swim in 'B' final tonight

Wednesday, March 11
Finals
Event 9 - 1-meter diving: Stiles 12th, Thornton 18th, both earn 2nd team All-America honors
Event 6 - 200 IM: Ballardin 14th, 2nd team All-America honors
Event 8 - 50 free: Nolles 15th, 2nd team All-America honors
Event 11 - 200 Medley Relay: Ballardin, Tease, LaCount, Nolles 12th, 2nd team All-America honors

Prelims
Event 6 - 200 IM: Ballardin 12th (will compete in the B finals tonight)
Event 8 - 50 Free: Nolles 10th (will compete in the B finals tonight), Leroux 23rd, LaCount 25th
Event 4 - 1000 Free: Garin 23rd
Event 9 - 1-meter diving: Stiles 11th, Thornton 16th, both competing in the B finals tonight

Tuesday, March 10
Finals
Event 2 - 800 Free Relay: Rosatelli, Khmara, Fulconi, Ballardin 11th place, 2nd team All-America honors

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Players Mentioned

Tobie Stiles: Senior

Andrew Tease: Senior

Matteo Ballardin: Freshman

Travis Thornton: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Tobie Stiles
: Senior

Andrew Tease
: Senior

Matteo Ballardin
: Freshman

Travis Thornton
: Freshman