Men's Swimming and Diving | 2/21/2026 8:39:23 PM
WEBSTER, NY – SUNY Geneseo earned its second consecutive league title, as action wrapped up at the four-day 2026 Empire 8 Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship, held at the Webster Aquatic Center on Saturday, Feb. 21.
The nationally-ranked Knights recorded 1,186 team points to win the title. In a spirited battle, SUNY Brockport earned runner-up honors with 641.5 points, just ahead of Alfred University, who recorded 632 points and Hartwick College, who was fourth with 614.5 points. Nazareth University placed fifth with 219 points.
Alex Palmer of SUNY Geneseo was named the 2026 Empire 8 Championship Swimmer of the Meet, while teammate Greg Meder was named the Diver of the Meet. Palmer also was named 2026 Empire 8 Torchbearer Award winner for Academic Excellence.
Alfred University first-year standout Andre Ayala began the final evening by winning the 1,650-yard freestyle by seven seconds in a time of 16:19.62 over Hartwick junior Cameron Drake, who was attempting to win his third second consecutive E8 title in the event.
Brian Pabisch won 100-yard freestyle for the second straight season, this time in :45.19 by six-tenths of a second over teammate Dylan Gallub, as Geneseo earned all eight spots on the podium.
Yousef amr Abdallatif of Alfred took the 200-yard backstroke in a time of 1:50.29 to garner his second title in two nights.
Alex Palmer won the 200-yard breaststroke in an Empire 8 Championship record and NCAA “B” cut time of 1:59.47.
The quartet of Brian Pabisch, Jake Nielsen, Peter Peyser, Dylan Gallub won the 400-yard freestyle relay to wrap up the meet in time of 3:02.33.
Saturday’s Finals Results
1,650-yard freestyle – Andre Ayala, Alfred – 16:19.62
100-yard freestyle – Brian Pabisch, SUNY Geneseo – :45.59
200-yard backstroke – Youssef amr Abdallatif, Alfred – 1:53.66
200-yard breaststroke – Alex Palmer, SUNY Geneseo – 1:59.47
– Empire 8 Championship Record – NCAA “B” Cut
400-yard freestyle relay – Brian Pabisch, Jake Nielsen, Peter Peyser, Dylan Gallub, SUNY Geneseo – 3:02.33
Final 2026 Empire 8 Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship Team Scores
SUNY Geneseo – 1186
SUNY Brockport – 641.5
Alfred – 632
Hartwick – 614.5
Nazareth – 219
2026 Empire 8 Championship Men’s Swimmer of the Meet: Alex Palmer, Jr., SUNY Geneseo
2026 Empire 8 Championship Men’s Diver of the Meet: Greg Meder, Sr., SUNY Geneseo
2026 Empire 8 Championship Torchbearer Award Winner: Alex Palmer, Jr., SUNY Geneseo, 3.82 GPA, Finance