Swimming fans, brace yourselves for a thrilling recap of the 2026 Minnesota First Chance Meet, where records were shattered and rivalries ignited! But here's where it gets controversial: did the Gophers' dominance signal a new era of swimming supremacy, or was this just a lucky weekend? Held on February 6-7, 2026, at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis, this SCY (25-yard) event brought together powerhouse teams like the University of Minnesota, St. Thomas, Wisconsin-La Crosse, and more. With results available for both Day 1 and Day 2, the meet was a showcase of raw talent and strategic preparation for the Big Ten Championships.
The Gophers stole the spotlight with ten lifetime best performances, leaving competitors in their wake. On the women’s side, senior Ava Yablonski delivered a jaw-dropping 500 free, clocking 4:57.90—nearly 20 seconds ahead of the pack and obliterating her 2021 record of 5:03.05. And this is the part most people miss: Minnesota’s depth was on full display as Morgan Thomas (22.76), Kamdyn Periat (22.85), and Rachel Conley (22.99) swept the 50 free, with Conley achieving her fastest time ever. Periat later stunned in the 200 back, touching at 1:58.96—a six-second lead and a new personal best.
Freshman Finnly Jollands made waves in the 200 IM, finishing in 2:02.44, nearly three seconds ahead of the field. The 100 fly was a battle of diversity, with six schools in the top seven, led by Minnesota’s Mira Keller (55.27) and St. Thomas’ Emily Wooden (58.05). Here’s a bold question: Is the 100 fly becoming the most competitive event in collegiate swimming?
The Gopher men were unstoppable in the 100 breast, sweeping the top five spots. Freshman Luke Mychalowych (53.98) and Joe Polyak (54.58) set season bests, with all five swimmers under 55.5. Alberto Hernandez redefined his limits in the 500 free, slicing over 15 seconds off his October best to finish in 4:19.46. The men’s 50 free was another Gopher sweep, with Jacob Johnson (20.04) leading the charge and Ryan Slonac (20.34) securing a lifetime best. Slonac’s victory in the 400 IM (3:53.45) was the cherry on top, as he was the only swimmer under 4:00.
Yet, St. Thomas’ Miggy San Jose reminded everyone of the competition’s fierceness, dominating the 200 back with a personal best of 1:53.10—seven seconds ahead of the field. So, what’s your take? Are the Gophers unstoppable, or is the competition just getting started? Let’s debate in the comments!
