GARLAND, TX – The McMurry University women's swimming team opened the 2026 SCAC Conference Championships on Wednesday evening at the Garland ISD Natatorium, showcasing grit across the relay-heavy opening session. The War Hawks sit in eighth place with 26 points following the first day of competition.
McMurry's evening was highlighted by a strong showing in the 800-yard freestyle relay, where the quartet of
Nicole Ryman,
Emilee Thompson,
Anna Nielsen, and
Mia Mendez combined for a sixth-place finish in the Championship Final. The team clocked a time of 9:20.63 to secure 26 crucial points for the War Hawks. Ryman led off the relay with a split of 2:12.88, followed by Thompson and Nielsen, before Mendez anchored the squad home with a final 200-yard split of 2:21.80.
In the 200-yard medley relay, the War Hawks' "A" team featuring Ryman, Brooklynn Lizcano, Thompson, and
Natalie Liles initially touched the wall with a time of 2:10.66, though they were unfortunately assessed a disqualification during the heat. Despite the setback, the squad demonstrated the competitive speed that has defined their season.
Top McMurry Performers - Day 1
- Nicole Ryman: Led the 800-yard freestyle relay with a 2:12.88 split and served as the backstroke leg in the 200-yard medley relay.
- Emilee Thompson: Competed in both major relays on Wednesday, contributing to the sixth-place finish in the 800-yard freestyle relay.
- Anna Nielsen: Provided a steady mid-relay performance in the 800-yard freestyle relay to help keep the War Hawks in the hunt.
- Mia Mendez: Served as the anchor for the 800-yard freestyle relay, touching the wall to finalize McMurry's Day 1 scoring.
Up Next
Conference championships continue on Thursday, February 12th, at the Garland ISD Natatorium.
For more information, you can check out this
SCAC Women's Swimming Day One Recap, which covers the overall team standings and top relay performances from the opening night.
