Bell Sets Meet Record; Golden Tigers Hold Strong on Day 2 of AAC Championships

Kingsport, Tennessee- The Brenau swimming and diving team continued to show well with numerous strong performances on the second day of competition at the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships on Friday. 

The Golden Tigers posted strong individual performances, including a pair of individual champions. Sophomore Sophie Bell set a new AAC Championship meet record time and added her second meet title by capturing top honors in the 100 backstroke (57.50). Junior Olga Bukowska also raced to the top with a title in  the 400 IM (4:39.54). 

 In the 200 freestyle relay, the team of Sophie Bell, Abi Binns, Sofia Bellocchio, and Manuela Horta raced to second place in a time of 1:40.21. Also, sophomore Nele Behrendt joined Bell, Bukowska, and Binns to earn another second place finish in the 400 medley relay. 

Other individual finishers on day two include:

Ana Alves: 

• 200 freestyle, 5th place, 2:05.01;

Nele Behrendt: 

• 100 breaststroke, 3rd place, 1:09.56;

Sofia Bellocchio:

• 100 butterfly, 5th place, 1:00.55;

• 100 backstroke, 5th place, 1:01.14;

Abi Binns: 

• 200 freestyle, 3rd place, 2:00.25; 

Emily DiMaggio

• 200 freestyle, 7th place, 2:05.01;

Manuela Horta: 

• 200 freestyle, 4th place, 2:03.80;

Sylvie Jacques: 

• 200 freestyle, 10th place, 2:35.54;

Adriana Oetzel:

• 100 breaststroke, 5th place, 1:12.78;

Francesca Pastori 

• 100 butterfly, 4th place, 59.83;

Erin Watterson

• 100 breaststroke, 4th place, 1:12.48;

Brenau totaled 451 points through two days of competition to keep a stronghold on second place behind leader Milligan (Tn.). 

For complete results, click here.

For the complete schedule of events, click here.

For free streaming, click here.