Claire Curzan's Strategy for NCAA Championship: A Focus on Backstroke and Fly
The 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championships are set to take place from March 18 to 21 at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Defending champions Virginia aim to secure their sixth consecutive title. Amidst the excitement, University of Virginia redshirt junior Claire Curzan has made a strategic decision regarding her event lineup.
Curzan, known for her versatility, will compete in the 100 fly, 100 back, and 200 back events, mirroring her performance at the ACC Championships. This choice is notable for two reasons. Firstly, it differs from her lineup at last year's ACC Championships. Secondly, it highlights a trend among Virginia's star swimmers, such as Alex Walsh and Kate Douglass, who often adjust their event lineups between conference and national championship meets.
At the 2025 NCAA Championship, Curzan secured impressive results, finishing second in the 50 free behind the now-graduated Gretchen Walsh, first in the 100 back, and first in the 200 back. Her decision to focus on backstroke events is strategic, given her recent success in breaking the U.S. Open Record in the 200 back at the ACC Championships. While strong swimmers exist in both events, the current field is less competitive compared to previous years, with Bella Sims skipping the 200 back.
Curzan's performance in the 100 fly at last year's NCAA Championships, where she clocked a time of 21.11, makes her the top returning performer in that event. However, four swimmers—Camille Spink, Torri Huske, Brady Kendall, and Sara Curtis—are faster than her this year. This sets the stage for a highly anticipated showdown between Curzan and Torri Huske, her former Stanford teammate, in the 100 fly. With Huske seeded at 48.26 and Curzan at 48.47, both swimmers achieved their best times at the ACC Championships, with Huske emerging victorious.
Only three other swimmers are seeded under 49 seconds in the 100 fly: Alex Shackell of Indiana (49.95), Gigi Johnson from Stanford (49.95), and Miranda Grana from Indiana (49.98). From a scoring perspective, Virginia's pursuit of a sixth-straight NCAA title makes the 100 fly a less-volatile choice.
The new NCAA Championship schedule also influenced Curzan's decision. Last year, the 50 free and 100 back events were on separate days, while the 100 fly conflicted with other races. This year, the 100 fly is scheduled on day 2, while the 50 free is held after the 100 back. With the 400 medley relay on the same day, Curzan's lineup would have resulted in a triple if she had maintained her previous year's strategy. This strategic adjustment ensures a more manageable schedule for Curzan, allowing her to focus on her strengths and increase her chances of success at the NCAA Championships.
