ATLANTA, Ga. -- Junior swimmer Blake Conway capped off an outstanding campaign by placing 43rd overall in the 100-yard backstroke at the 2026 NCAA Championships on Friday morning at McAuley Aquatic Center. Conway posted a time of 46.41 in the prelims in his first appearance at nationals.

"Blake has had a tremendous year, showing improvement both in and out of the pool. The biggest difference was arguably mentally. He raced in finals at the Ivy championship meet with confidence and had fun. That mindset allowed him to break through and come out with his first Ivy win and a berth to the NCAA meet," said Wes Newman, the Philip H. Bartels '71 Head Coach of Men's Swimming.

"This week at Nationals he represented Cornell well and ended his season on a positive note. I'm excited for him to carry this momentum and confidence into his senior year next season."

Conway's season-best time of 45.77 — a lifetime best — ranks No. 2 all-time at Cornell, trailing only teammate Pietro Ubertalli (45.29), the 2025 Ivy champion. The top eight times from prelims among 52 pf the nation's top swimmers qualified for the championship final, won by Hubert Kos of Texas in a blazing NCAA record of 42.61. Conway was also a finalist in the 200 back at the Ivy championships, scoring big points by finishing eighth in 1:42.51.

Meet results can be found HERE