FIRST DAY
Day 1: Thursday Finals
Event: CSCAA National Invitational Championships
THE SHORT STORY
The Queens University of Charlotte men's and women's swimming teams opened competition at the 2026 CSCAA National Invitational Championships with a strong first night of finals highlighted by two meet records, multiple podium finishes, and a relay victory. The Royals were led by Emil Harlem's record-setting performance in the 50-yard butterfly and a meet record from the men's 400-yard medley relay as Queens positioned itself near the top of the team standings.
HOW IT HAPPENED
MEN
Queens opened the evening with a victory in the 200-yard freestyle relay as the quartet of Nien Levy, Stamatis Paleocrassas, Pablo Ortega Navarro, and Daniel Meszaros touched first in 1:17.88 to claim the event title.
Later in the session, Emil Harlem delivered one of the Royals' top performances of the night in the 50-yard butterfly, capturing the event title in 20.74 while matching the CSCAA National Invitational Championships meet record. Teammate Nien Levy also reached the A final and placed fourth in 21.23.
In the 50-yard backstroke, Pablo Ortega reached the podium with a third-place finish, touching in 21.75 in the championship final.
Distance standout Akos Horvath also delivered a strong performance in the 500-yard freestyle, earning a runner-up finish with a time of 4:24.97.
Queens closed the night in record-setting fashion as the 400-yard medley relay squad of Pablo Ortega, Matheus Teixeira Przewalla, Emil Harlem, and Daniel Meszaros touched first in 3:07.84, setting a CSCAA National Invitational Championships meet record.
WOMEN
On the women's side, Leonie Tenzer recorded the Royals' top finish of the night with a third-place performance in the 500-yard freestyle, touching in 4:47.07 in the A final.
Abigail Zboran followed with a strong showing in the 200-yard individual medley, finishing fourth overall after posting a 1:59.99 in the championship final.
Queens also saw scoring performances from Maren Patterson, who placed 16th in the 50-yard backstroke, and Maddie Foster, who finished 11th overall in the 50-yard butterfly after winning the B final.
TEAM STANDINGS (Through Day 1)
Men – Top 10
- Queens – 298.5
- Ohio State – 237.5
- Grand Canyon – 197.5
- Duke – 147
- George Washington – 139
- Kentucky – 135.5
- Denver – 112
- Florida Atlantic – 107
- Towson – 103
- Pacific – 102
Women – Top 10
- Ohio State – 193
- Kentucky – 175
- Fresno State – 165
- Queens – 152
- Akron – 146.5
- Rice – 143
- Illinois – 122
- Duke – 119.5
- San Jose State – 110
- Northern Colorado – 100
UP NEXT
The Royals return to the pool on Friday for day two of competition at the CSCAA National Invitational Championships.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow the Royals swimming & diving teams on Instagram and Twitter/X to stay up to date on all the latest news surrounding the team. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics to stay updated on all the Royals sports teams in action by searching @QueensAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
