Duke Swimming & Diving Eyes Postseason Splash at ACC Championships
With the regular season in the books, Duke swimming and diving is diving headfirst into postseason waters, as the Blue Devils head to Atlanta for the ACC Championships, running February 15-21 at the McAuley Aquatic Center. It’s the start of the most important stretch of the year - and Duke’s top performers are peaking at just the right time.
Women’s Team Riding Momentum
The Duke women’s squad enters the conference meet ranked No. 20 in the latest CSCAA Top 25 - and that’s no fluke. They wrapped up dual meet season with a strong 6-2 record, powered by a trio of consistent point-getters in senior Kaelyn Gridley, junior Ali Pfaff, and senior Tatum Wall.
Gridley led the charge all season long, stacking up 12 individual wins and racking up 868.50 points. Right behind her was Pfaff, who notched 11 victories and 854.40 points of her own. Wall chipped in with seven wins and 818.20 points, giving Duke a three-headed force that’s been tough to match in the pool.
Pfaff, in particular, is coming off a standout showing at the Wolfpack Elite Invitational, where she grabbed first place in the 200-yard freestyle with a career-best time of 1:44.24 - good enough to move her up to No. 2 on Duke’s all-time list. She wasn’t done there.
In the 100-yard backstroke, Pfaff clocked a blistering 51.06 to break a four-year-old program record. That kind of form heading into the postseason is exactly what Duke needs if they’re going to make noise in Atlanta.
Men’s Team Building Around Young Core
The men’s team didn’t have the same win-loss success in dual meets, finishing 3-5, but there were plenty of bright spots - especially from a young core that’s starting to find its footing.
Junior Kalen Anbar (802.45 points), along with freshmen Anderson Kopp and Charlie Kulp (both with 790.95 points), led the way. Kulp stood out with three wins and nine podium finishes, showing a knack for rising to the occasion. Anbar added a pair of victories and 12 podiums, while Kopp chipped in with one win and 10 total top-three finishes.
It’s a group that’s still developing, but the foundation is clearly there. And with postseason pressure now on the table, this could be the moment where Duke’s younger swimmers take the next step.
Keira Lu: Dominance on the Boards
One of the biggest stories of the season has been sophomore diver Keira Lu. She’s been nothing short of dominant, earning ACC Women’s Diver of the Week honors five times and finishing first in 12 events.
Lu is already climbing Duke’s all-time leaderboard, ranking fourth in the 3-meter dive (362.55) and fifth in the 1-meter (323.73). She’s not just winning - she’s rewriting the program’s diving history.
NCAA Zone Qualifiers Locked In
Duke’s diving depth will be on full display in Atlanta, with eight athletes already qualified for the NCAA Diving Zones (Zone B) - four on each side.
On the women’s side, Lu is joined by freshman Avery Hillier, junior Avari Wang, and senior Josie Zillig. For the men, it’ll be junior Charles Berman, senior Evan Brown, sophomore Tynan O’Donaghue, and senior Yannis Schattman carrying the flag.
That kind of representation speaks to the program’s strength on the boards - and gives Duke a real chance to rack up points when the pressure’s highest.
Eyes on Atlanta
The ACC Championships are always a proving ground, and this year’s edition is no different. With a nationally ranked women’s team, record-setting swimmers, and a diving squad that’s as deep as it’s been in years, Duke heads to Atlanta with plenty to be excited about - and plenty to prove.
Every day of competition will be streamed live on ACCNX, offering fans a front-row seat as the Blue Devils look to make their mark in the postseason.