Tennessee Swimming & Diving Announces 2026 Signing Class

Knoxville, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee swimming and diving programs have announced a highly anticipated 2026 signing class, poised to make an immediate impact. The incoming class is ranked among the nation’s best, bringing with it a wealth of talent and championship experience.

Lady Vol Signing Class

The Lady Vols’ class features three swimmers ranked in the top ten nationally, including the No. 1 overall recruit, Charlotte Crush of Louisville, Kentucky. Crush, a three-time Junior National Team member, won gold in the 100 Backstroke at the World Aquatics Junior Championships. Her top times could potentially set new school records for Tennessee.

Molly Sweeney, ranked No. 3 by SwimSwam, joins the Lady Vols from Carmel, Indiana. Sweeney is a Junior National Team member and a winter Junior national champion in both the 200 Breaststroke and 200 Individual Medley. Madison Kryger, ranked No. 10, brings international success from Niagara Falls, Ontario, having qualified for the World Aquatics Championships.

Leah Tigert, ranked No. 19, from Toronto, Ontario, has represented Canada at the World Aquatics Junior Championships. Eliza Wallace, the No. 17 recruit from Charlotte, North Carolina, is a state champion in the 100 Breaststroke and 100 Freestyle. Isabel Baley, the No. 1 ranked diver in the class, hails from Midland, Texas, and is a three-time junior national champion.

Rounding out the Lady Vol class are Mia Buff from Bowling Green, Ohio, Luisa Fragoeiro Arco from Lisbon, Portugal, Matea Gigovic from Calgary, Alberta, and Hannah Smith from Sydney, Australia.

Vol Signing Class

The Vols’ 2026 class is headlined by Miles Blackson-Dunbar of Los Angeles, California, ranked No. 10 nationally. He is a multiple-time Junior National Team member with multiple top-three finishes at major championships. Whitaker Steward, from Kearney, Missouri, is a five-time All-American and seven-time Missouri State Champion.

Drew Eubanks, ranked No. 11, joins the Vols from Happy Valley, Oregon, as one of the top breaststrokers in the class. Mantas Kaušpėdas, ranked No. 16, brings international experience from Klaipėda, Lithuania, holding multiple Lithuanian records. Abduljabar Adama, ranked No. 18, from Lagos, Nigeria, earned a silver medal at the 2025 World Aquatics Junior Championships and holds 13 Nigerian records.

Ivor Brown, the No. 1 ranked diver in the country, comes to Tennessee from Chantilly, Virginia. Kauã Marinho from São Paulo, Brazil, represented his country at the 2025 World Aquatics Junior Championships.

Did You Know? Charlotte Crush’s top time in the 100 Backstroke (49.46) would break the current school record at Tennessee.

Expert Insight: The influx of international talent, particularly from Canada, Lithuania, Nigeria, Portugal, and Brazil, demonstrates the growing global reach of the Tennessee swimming and diving programs and their ability to attract top athletes from around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the 2026 Tennessee swimming and diving signing class significant?

The class is considered one of the top-ranked in the country, featuring multiple nationally ranked recruits and athletes with international experience and accolades.

Which swimmer is ranked as the No. 1 recruit in the class?

Charlotte Crush is ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit for the Lady Vols, while Ivor Brown is the No. 1 ranked diver.

How many swimmers from outside the United States are joining the Vols and Lady Vols?

The class includes swimmers from Canada, Lithuania, Nigeria, Portugal, and Brazil.

With such a talented group of incoming athletes, what impact will this class have on the future of Tennessee swimming and diving?