The 2026 ACC Championships: Day 5 Prelims Scratches, Gorbenko Drops Both Events
The 2026 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships are underway, and the diving and swimming events are heating up at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, GA. With the defending champions, UVA women (6x) and Cal men (1x), in the running, the competition is fierce.
On Day 5, some notable scratches were announced, including those of Anastasia Gorbenko, Tess Howley, and Mia West. Gorbenko, a standout swimmer for Louisville, had been entered in six events but scratched both her Thursday entries: the 400 IM and the 200 free. Her absence is a surprise, given her impressive performance so far, including a gold medal-winning relay split and a silver medal in the 200 IM.
Howley, from UVA, and West, from Cal, also scratched two events each. Howley was originally entered in the 200 free and the 100 fly on Wednesday but scratched both. West, who won a bronze medal in the 200 IM, scratched the 200 free and 100 fly to make room for other events.
The scratches among the top seeds are notable. Four of the top eight seeds in the 200 free scratched, including Gorbenko, West, Aimee Canny, and Claire Curzan. Curzan, who was set to race the 200 free, will now compete in the 100 fly, while Canny remains entered in the 400 IM.
On the men's side, the high-level scratches appear to be strategic, with swimmers making room for other events. The most notable scratch is that of Logan Robinson from Florida State, who was the 6th seed in the 100 fly but opted to race the 200 free instead, where he is the top seed.
The Day 5 heat sheets are available for reference, and the live video coverage is accessible via ESPN+ for those who want to follow the action in real-time. The championship central hub provides comprehensive information, and the pre-scratch psych sheets offer a detailed look at the initial event lineups.
As the competition unfolds, the absence of these top swimmers will undoubtedly impact the race dynamics. The championship promises to be a thrilling event, with the remaining swimmers vying for top spots and the chance to make their mark on the ACC Championships.
