Division I Championships Undergo Major Shift with Removal of B Finals

Kaitlyn Nielsen | Sports Editor

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The NCAA has made a new adjustment to the Division 1 Swim and Dive championships. The association has made the call to eliminate “B” finals, which changes how 9th-16th will be scored. The call was made due to a number of reasons, some state that the change will help to optimise media coverage, others claim it will help modernize the championship format. The real question is, how will this elimination impact the hundreds of swimmers that compete annually at this competition? 

To preface, following preliminary heats in the morning sessions, the top eight swimmers will advance to what is called the “A” finals. The swimmers who placed 9th through 16th place will swim in the “B” final, which also occurs during the night session. With the elimination of the “B” final, ninth through sixteenth place will have to be determined on preliminary outcomes, eliminating opportunities for athletes to compete in events again in the hopes of a better time. Relays are also impacted by this change. Only the top eight relays will swim in a timed final.

Many are asking what prompted this change. The NCAA claims these decisions were made to focus on the final session, heightening the drama and viewer appeal by only having the top eight contend for the medals. This change put profound emphasis and pressure on athletes to perform in prelims, as they would no longer have a second swim to improve their placement. 

Athletes and Teams are feeling the impacts of this decision. Critics argue that B finals aren’t just for placement, but they offer athletes the opportunity to develop and grow as individuals by having experience swimming under pressure in a finals session. It also hurts teams that benefit from having 9th-16th placed athletes that earn them valuable points. 

The decision made by the NCAA is set to take effect during the 2026 championships in March. This change was a strategic move to align closely with broadcasting demands. However, as the season progresses, observers will be watching to see teams and athletes adapt. Will the change benefit the viewer while elevating competition among athletes, or will swimmers lose out on opportunities that fall just outside of the top eight?