BYU finished fifth at the 2026 Big 12 Championship, which concluded Saturday in Greensboro, North Carolina. The team scored 843 points in the meet, which saw Arizona State take first place with 1,898.5 points, followed by Arizona, Utah, TCU, BYU, Cincinnati and West Virginia.
Head coach Tamber McAlliste commented on the team’s performance: “The Big 12 brought exactly the level of competition we expected, and our team rose to that challenge with grit and determination. Our athletes showed real progress and gave us every reason to believe we’re building a group that can compete at a high level in this conference. Tanner earning his spot at NCAAs highlights the talent and upward trajectory within this program, and it’s just one example of the good things already taking shape. We’re growing, we’re improving and we’re hungry for more.”
BYU swimmers set four new top-10 school records during the final day of competition. Jack Burke recorded a time of 1:46.91 in the 200 backstroke for the tenth-fastest finish in school history. Tyler Edlefsen completed the 200 breaststroke in 1:56.09 for sixth-best all-time at BYU. Peter Etzold posted a time of 1:55.36 in the same event for fourth-best in program history. Easton Mousser finished the 1,650 freestyle in 15:04.55—the second-fastest mark ever by a BYU swimmer.
During preliminaries on the last day, Burke placed 24th in the 200 backstroke to qualify as BYU’s only finalist for that event. In the 100 freestyle prelims, Lucca Ferreira took 21st (44.12) and Joshua Reed placed 18th (43.98), both advancing to finals.
In prelims for the 200 breaststroke, three Cougars qualified for finals: Etzold was third overall (1:55.36), while Edlefsen (13th) and Will Bonnett (15th) advanced to consolation finals.
In finals action, Burke finished eighth in his bonus round heat of the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:47.58. Reed (43.66) and Ferreira (43.78) took second and third respectively in their bonus round heat of the 100 freestyle.
Four Cougars competed in the final round of the men’s mile (1,650 freestyle). Mousser earned third place with his record-setting swim; Tanner Nelson followed closely behind in fourth at 15:05.30; Darwin Anderson was fifteenth (15:24.57); Dane Weber achieved a personal best with his nineteenth-place finish at 15:35.59.
In concluding individual events, Edlefsen took third place (1:56.09) and Bonnett sixth (1:56.93) during consolation finals of the breaststroke; Etzold finished fourth overall at 1:55.37—his second medal at these championships.
The meet ended with BYU’s relay squad—Payton Plumb, Reed, Ferreira and Max Kleinman—taking fifth place in the men’s 400 freestyle relay with a time of 2:54.51.
On diving results, head diving coach Tyce Routson said: “This week was a roller coaster. The divers had moments of brilliance, room for redemption and its share of struggles,” Routson said.“Proud of those that fought hard and learned lessons for the next big NCAA Zones meet.Marti had his personal best on the one meter and a good platform final.The freshman took away how intense this Big12 Championships can be and how to channel the right energy to keep themselves as competitors.If we can dial in for our NCAA Zones meet in Flagstaff next week,we’ll finish stronger this season.”
Diving concluded its portion on Friday before swimming events wrapped up Saturday.
Next up for BYU are appearances at postseason meets.The dive team will participate at NCAA Zone E Championships from March6-11in Flagstaff.Arizona,and swimming qualifiers will compete at NCAA Championships March25-28in Atlanta.Participating athletes will be announced later.
