University of Tampa Men's and Women's Swimming Crowned SSC Champions
OCALA, Fla. – The 2026 Sunshine State Conference Swimming Championships have concluded after an exciting weekend of competition. The University of Tampa won both the SSC Men’s and Women’s Championship, the second straight year that the Spartans took both spots. On the men’s side, Tampa has been crowned SSC Champions for the fourth year in a row, and fifth overall. The women’s team earned its second consecutive SSC Championship, the third overall title.
Top Performances:
One NCAA Division II, four meet records, and two overall conference records were set on the women's side during the 2026 championship. On the men's side, 11 meet records and four overall conference records were beaten.
Nova Southeastern’s Kristina Orban was named the Swimmer of the Meet. Overall, Orban scored 80 points as an individual swimmer during the event. She won four individual events and was part of three relay-winning teams, including the 200 free relay that set a new NCAA record of 1:30.04.
Maurice Grabowski of Lynn was the Men’s Swimmer of the Meet, matching Orban with 80 points as an individual swimmer. He won four individual events and was part of Lynn’s A team to win the 200 and 400 medley relay. Grabowski set four individual meet records this year, including two overall conference records.
The final day opened with the 1650 freestyle, where Nova Southeastern’s Hailey Williams set the tone early, claiming gold in 16:39.04. Tampa’s Laura Hodgson followed in second at 16:58.52, while fellow Shark Bree Buchanan secured third with a 17:03.71 finish.
Nova Southeastern continued its momentum in the 100 freestyle, sweeping the podium. Kristina Orban led the charge with a winning time of 48.97, followed by Zsofia Kurdi in 49.22 and Maya Esparza in 49.85.
The 200 backstroke saw the University of Tampa take control with a podium sweep of its own. Sidni Meister earned gold in 1:57.63, edging teammate Lindsey Louder, who finished second in 1:57.88. Kimberly McCaffrey rounded out the top three with a time of 1:59.20.
Tampa again showed its depth in the 200 breaststroke, claiming the top two spots. Caroline Foltz captured gold in 2:14.41, while Burlingtyn Bokos followed with silver at 2:16.52. Nova Southeastern’s Emilia Ronningdal earned bronze in 2:16.76.
The meet closed in record-breaking fashion as Nova Southeastern set an SSC Meet Record in the 400 freestyle relay. The Sharks quartet of Kurdi, Maxine Egner, Ronningdal, and Esparza surged to gold in 3:18.99, surpassing the previous mark of 3:19.09. Tampa placed second in 3:23.12, with Lynn finishing close behind at 3:23.19.
The men’s session opened with a tightly contested 1650 freestyle, where the podium race remained neck and neck until the final turn. Peter Csicsaky surged ahead late to claim gold for Florida Southern in 15:25.73. Teo Puig followed in second at 15:28.10, while Nova Southeastern’s Eason Cormack secured third in 15:28.76.
Record-breaking speed highlighted the 100 freestyle as Maurice Grabowski set a new SSC record of 42.19 in prelims, later winning the 100 free title in finals with a 42.24 mark. Nova Southeastern’s Gavin Lindley finished second in 43.58, followed closely by Florida Southern’s Matheus Da Rocha in 43.64.
The intensity continued in the 200 backstroke, the closest race of the session. Tampa’s William Beckstead-Holman captured gold with a 1:44.25 finish. The battle for second resulted in a tie, as Lynn’s Paul Melcer and Rolan Nagy touched simultaneously at 1:44.86.
Lynn returned to the top of the podium in the 200 breaststroke, where Maxim Tsyfarov earned gold with a 1:56.60 swim. Tampa’s Britton Spann placed second in 1:57.89, and Florida Southern’s Simeon Prosinski rounded out the podium in 1:58.59.
The men’s competition concluded with a record-setting performance in the 400 freestyle relay. Florida Southern’s quartet of Nino Viallon, Da Rocha, Daniel Meszaros, and Will Neville shattered the SSC meet record with a winning time of 2:54.25. Lynn followed in second at 2:54.74, with Tampa finishing third in 2:55.60.
Day 5 Medalists (#Indicates SSC Meet Record/*Indicates SSC Record / **Indicates NCAA Record)
Women's 1650 Free:
1. Hailey Williams, Nova Southeastern (16:39.04)
2. Laura Hodgson, Tampa (16:58.52)
3. Bree Buchanan, Nova Southeastern (17:03.71)
Men's 1650 Free:
1. Peter Csicsaky, Florida Southern (15:25.73)
2. Teo Puig, Barry (15:28.10)
3. Eason Cormack, Nova Southeastern (15:28.76)
Women's 100 Free:
1. Kristina Orban, Nova Southeastern (48.97)
2. Zsofia Kurdi, Nova Southeastern (49.22)
3. Maya Esparza, Nova Southeastern (49.85)
Men's 100 Free:
1. Maurice Grabowski, Lynn (42.24) - 42.19* SSC record set in prelims
2. Gavin Lindley, Nova Southeastern (43.58)
3. Matheus Da Rocha, Florida Southern(43.64)
Women's 200 Back:
1. Sidni Meister, Tampa (1:57.63)
2. Lindsey Louder, Tampa (1:57.88)
3. Kimberly McCaffrey, Tampa (1:59.20)
Men's 200 Back:
1. William Beckstead-Holman, Tampa (1:44.25)
T2. Paul Melcer, Lynn (1:44.86)
T2. Roland Nagy, Nova Southeastern (1:44.86)
Women's 200 Breast:
1. Caroline Foltz, Tampa (2:14.41)
2. Burlingtyn Bokos, Tampa (2:16.52)
3. Emilia Ronningdal, Nova Southeastern (2:16.76)
Men's 200 Breast:
1. Maxim Tsyfarov, Lynn(1:56.60)
2. Britton Spann, Tampa (1:57.89)
3. Simeon Prosinski, Florida Southern (1:58.59)
Women's 400 Free Relay:
1. Nova Southeastern (3:18.99#) Zsofia Kurdi, Maxine Egner, Emilia Ronningdal, Maya Esparza
2. Tampa (3:23.12) Avery Frece, Tilde Morin, Madalee Roberts, Lindsey Louder
3. Lynn (3:23.19) Luz Tapia Sahagun, Adel Pal, Krystina Zavalaga, Malaika Schneider
Men's 400 Free Relay:
1. Florida Southern (2:54.25#) Nino Viallon, Matheus Da Rocha, Daniel Mészáros, Will Neville
2. Lynn (2:54.74) Vitaly Kostin, Enzo Constable, Brady Moore, Maurice Grabowski
3. Tampa (2:55.60) Alfredo Dominguez, Tibor Tistan, Nick Cavic, Jacob Hamlin