Imagine making your debut in a grueling event like the 400 IM and instantly becoming one of the fastest in the nation. That's exactly what Virginia senior Aimee Canny accomplished at the 2026 Cavalier Invite, leaving everyone in awe. On Day 3 of the competition, held at the Aquatic and Fitness Center in Charlottesville, VA from February 5th-7th, Canny clocked a stunning 4:03.36 in her very first attempt at the 400 IM, securing the #6 spot nationally this season. But here's where it gets even more impressive: this wasn't just a fluke. Canny, a South African talent, has already proven her mettle with NCAA-scoring times in the 500 free (4:34.26) and 200 IM (1:54.05), showcasing the endurance and stroke versatility needed to conquer the demanding 400 IM.
The 400 IM is often considered a race that requires multiple attempts to master, but Canny defied expectations. During the morning prelims, she split 55.55/1:02.61/1:09.85/55.35, delivering a performance that not only turned heads but also hinted at her potential to dominate in March. With the new NCAA format, could we see Canny tackle a 400 IM/200 breast/200 IM lineup? It’s a tantalizing possibility, especially considering her A-final-worthy time from today. And this is the part most people miss: Canny also notched lifetime bests in the 100 free (47.79) and 100 breast (58.30), further solidifying her versatility.
Tonight, Canny’s 100 free time secured her a win against teammates Melissa Nwakalor (47.85) and Nina Jazy (47.90), with all three swimmers setting new personal records in a thrilling finish. Virginia’s dominance continued in the backstroke, as Katie Grimes claimed the women’s 200 back in 1:51.21, moving up to 10th nationally. Grimes’ time is her best since joining college competition and the third-fastest of her career, just shy of her 2023 personal best of 1:50.56.
In the 200 breaststroke, Emma Weber kept Virginia’s winning streak alive, touching first in 2:07.96, just a tenth off her season best. Tess Howley closed out the individual events with a victory in the 200 butterfly, clocking 1:52.53.
But here's where it gets controversial: Leah Hayes, who swam the 400 IM twice today (4:05.21 in prelims and 4:05.68 in a solo evening trial), has now slipped to 7th nationally after Canny’s breakthrough. With Grimes already ranked 5th in the event, the Cavaliers now boast three of the top seven swimmers in the nation. Is Virginia’s stranglehold on the NCAA title inevitable, or can other teams mount a challenge?
William & Mary’s women bookended the session with victories, starting with Lauren Tucker’s 16:41.62 win in the 1650 freestyle—a lifetime best by over 15 seconds. They concluded the meet by taking the women’s 400 freestyle relay in 3:29.02.
On the men’s side, William & Mary’s Tyler Barritt kicked things off by winning the 1650 freestyle in 15:40.67, just a second off his lifetime best. Virginia’s Jack Aikins and Maximus Williamson followed with wins in the 200 back (1:41.02) and 100 free (42.60), respectively. St. Bonaventure’s Corey Su edged out William & Mary’s Jackson Mueller in the 200 breaststroke, while Virginia’s Dillon Wright secured the 200 butterfly title in 1:47.22.
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: With Canny’s rapid rise and Virginia’s dominance, are we witnessing the beginning of a new era in collegiate swimming, or is this just another chapter in the Cavaliers’ reign? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
