Swimming & Diving Finishes Summer Earning 24 Medals

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The North Carolina swimming and diving program claimed 24 medals, including nine golds, as it finished off its summer competitions. Tar Heels stood on the podiums at the FISU American Games, the Central American and Caribbean Games, the Commonwealth Games, the Pan Pacific Championships and the U.S. Championships.

Four Heels competed at the FISU American games. Sean Setzer led the way with gold medals in the 50 free, 100 free, 400 free relay and the mixed 400 free relay. Sam Huggins added two golds in the 200 free and 800 free relay, while claiming silver in the 400 free relay and bronze in the 400 free. Carter Freudenstein added a gold in the 200 breast and a bronze in the 400 IM, while Mary Macaulay claimed silvers in the 200 IM, 400 IM and 800 free relay and a bronze in the 200 fly.

Xavier Ruiz turned in a strong performance at the Central American and Caribbean Games, securing two golds, a silver and two bronze medals for Puerto Rico. He claimed the top spot on the podium in both the 100 and 200 breast, while also medaling in the 400 IM and the 400 medley and mixed medley relays.

Both Tom Mienes and Martin Kartavi competed for Israel at the European Championships. Mienes set a new long course school record in the 200 back with a time of 2:11.07, bettering the previous mark of 2:11.30 set by Sophie Lindner in 2022.

Alum Georgia Nel helped South Africa to a silver in the 400 mixed medley relay, bronze medals in the 400 medley and 400 free relay, and a sixth-place finish in the 800 free relay at the Commonwealth Games.

Skyler Smith broke the 30 second mark to set a personal best of 29.90 in the 50 breast at the Pan Pacific Championships. The swim earned her a bronze medal and puts her at 14th all-time in the event and the fourth fastest in the world this year.

David Melnychuk wrapped up his first year as a Tar Heel by finishing second in the 200 back at the U.S. Championships. His time of 1:57.56 broke the UNC long course record of 2:00.51 set by Chris Thames in 2019.

Diving newcomer Emma Kelly represented Ireland at the World Aquatics Junior Championships, finishing in the Top 25 in both the 1-meter and 3-meter competitions.

The Heels are now back on campus preparing for their 2026-27 season, which gets rolling at the end of September with a meet at Queens.

For up-to-date information on UNC Swimming & Diving, visit GoHeels.com/Swimming-and-Diving and follow on X (@uncswimdive), Instagram (@uncswimdive) and Facebook (Facebook.com/UNCswimdive).

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Carter Freudenstein

Sam Huggins

Martin Kartavi

Mary Macaulay

David Melnychuk

Xavier Ruiz

Sean Setzer

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