CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois swim and dive will compete at the 2026 Big Ten Championships, Feb. 18-21, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center. Live results are available on MeetMobile, and the four-day event will also be streamed on B1G+.
Under fourth-year head coach Jeana Kempe, the Illini posted a 7-4 record in dual meets, including 3-2 at home. At its midseason meet, Illinois finished fourth of nine teams, and saw a host of strong performances, including a new school record in the 200 breaststroke from senior Sara Jass (2:12.90).
Across the season, the Illini have added 27 new top-ten program marks, including the second-best three-meter dive in program history from Matilda Garcia (325.95), the second-best time in the 200 backstroke from Kalina Nikolaeva (1:58.60), and the second-best time in the 100 butterfly from Chloe Diner (54.27).
Last time out, the Illini defeated Eastern Illinois, 157-77, on Senior Day, emerging victorious in all 14 events. Martina Cibulkova and Sophia Yousuf added a pair of top-ten marks in the 100 IM, posting times of 57.30 and 57.89, respectively.
Last season at the Big Ten Championships, the Orange and Blue finished in 13th place, scoring 211 points. Illinois returns two of its top three scorers from the 2025 conference meet. Kayla Duran scored 15 points, finishing fourth in the 100 breaststroke B final, with a time of 1:00.47, while Sara Jass added six points for the Illini in the 400 IM (five points) and 200 IM (one point).
