Montevallo Swim Team Wins First Title Days Before Cuts

Days after learning their program might be eliminated, the University of Montevallo men's swim team dove into the pool and made history.

The Falcons captured the 2026 Conference Carolinas Championship for the first time ever, scoring 658 points to edge out Converse by just 14.5 points. The women's team added to the celebration with a second-place finish.

The timing couldn't be more bittersweet. Just before the championship meet, Montevallo administrators recommended cutting both swimming and diving programs, along with men's and women's tennis. The Board of Trustees has delayed the final decision until their May 1 meeting.

Head coach Lori Riegler earned Men's Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year honors for leading her team through the uncertainty. Senior Aleksei Kolesnikov powered the championship run with wins in both the 100-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly, posting times that nearly qualified him for nationals.

The women's squad showed equal determination despite finishing behind UNC Pembroke. Keara McGee dominated the butterfly events, winning both the 100 and 200 while coming within fractions of a second of the national qualifying time.

Senior Alexandria Morgan proved excellence extends beyond the pool. She earned the Elite 26 Award for having the highest GPA at the championship while also placing in the top three across three distance events.

Why This Inspires

Sometimes the greatest performances come when everything is on the line. These student athletes could have been distracted or discouraged by the threat hanging over their program. Instead, they channeled that pressure into their best swimming of the season.

Their victory sends a powerful message about the value of these programs. Coach Riegler built something special at Montevallo, developing not just champions in the pool but scholars in the classroom. Morgan's academic achievement alongside her athletic success shows how college sports create well-rounded individuals.

The narrow 14.5-point margin of victory makes it even more dramatic. Every race mattered, every swimmer contributed, and the team came together when it counted most.

Now the Board of Trustees faces a difficult question on May 1: Do you cut a program that just reached its highest peak? The swimmers have done everything asked of them and more. They've proven their worth in the most emphatic way possible.

This first championship banner will hang in the Montevallo natatorium no matter what happens next, a testament to triumph in the face of adversity.