Duke Women's Swim & Dive Dominates Georgia Tech in 2026 Opener; Men Fall in Tough Battle
DURHAM, N.C. - The Duke women’s swimming and diving team wasted no time making a statement in their first meet of 2026, powering past Georgia Tech with a commanding 180.5-119.5 win at the Taishoff Aquatic Center on Saturday. The Blue Devils racked up 11 of the team’s 13 first-place finishes on the day, showcasing depth, speed, and poise across the board.
Leading the charge were seniors Tatum Wall and Audrey Portello, along with sophomore diver Keira Lu - each delivering a pair of individual wins that set the tone for a dominant performance.
On the men’s side, Duke saw strong individual efforts from Ryan Griffith and Jack Smith, but Georgia Tech proved too much in the team standings, taking the meet 186-112.
Wall Rewrites the Pool Record Books - Again
Tatum Wall continues to be a force in the sprint freestyle events, and Saturday was no exception. The senior torched the field in the 100 free, clocking in at 47.65 - a time that not only tied her own program record but also set a new Taishoff Aquatic Center pool record.
She followed that up with a 21.94 in the 50 free, securing her second win of the day with ease. Wall’s speed wasn’t just fast - it was nearly three seconds clear of the next closest finisher in the 100, a margin that speaks volumes about her form heading into the back half of the season.
Portello and Lu Add More Firepower
Audrey Portello added her own double to the tally, showing off her versatility with wins in both the 500 free (4:52.67) and the 200 IM (2:02.04). Her performance in the IM, in particular, highlighted her ability to control the race across all four strokes, pulling away in the final 50 to seal the win.
In the diving well, Keira Lu once again swept both boards - her fourth sweep of the season. The sophomore posted a 362.55 on the 3-meter and a 313.55 on the 1-meter, continuing to solidify her status as one of the top divers in the conference. Lu’s consistency and ability to rise in pressure moments have become a steady weapon for Duke.
Relays and Rookies Step Up
The meet opened with a statement win in the women’s 200 medley relay. The veteran-heavy squad of Madeline Meredith, Kaelyn Gridley, freshman Heather White, and Wall combined for a 1:37.12 - a time nearly three seconds ahead of Georgia Tech’s top group.
Freshman Neala Klein made her presence felt in the distance events, taking the 1000 free in 10:04.31. Meanwhile, Gridley added a win of her own in the 100 breast, touching in 59.99 to give Duke another key point swing.
Senior Martina Peroni joined the winners’ circle with a strong showing in the 200 fly (1:56.75), and the Blue Devils closed the day with a win in the 400 free relay. Wall, Clare Logan, Emily Gantriis, and White combined for a 3:18.96 finish, putting an exclamation point on a dominant day for the women.
Griffith, Smith Lead the Way for Duke Men
While the men’s team came up short on the scoreboard, there were bright spots worth highlighting. Freshman Ryan Griffith continues to impress in the backstroke events, taking the 200 back in 1:46.83. Jack Smith, a junior, delivered in the 100 breast with a winning time of 54.65.
Despite the loss, these performances offer encouraging signs as the team builds toward the postseason. The men showed flashes of potential, and with continued development, they could be a tougher out down the stretch.
What’s Next
Duke now turns its attention to a pair of road dual meets, starting with a Jan. 30-31 showdown in Knoxville against Tennessee. With the postseason looming, the Blue Devils will be looking to fine-tune their lineup, sharpen their edges, and keep building momentum - especially on the women’s side, where they’re starting to look like a real threat in the ACC and beyond.
If Saturday’s performance was any indication, this Duke women’s team is locked in - and they’re not just swimming for wins. They’re swimming for something bigger.