University of Minnesota Athletics
Polyak, Goodno, McCarthy, Widerstrom Named Big Ten Swimmers and Divers to Watch
9/22/2026 12:00:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – The Big Ten Conference announced their 2026-27 Swimmers and Divers to Watch this afternoon, with Joe Polyak, Braylon Goodno, Katie McCarthy, and Elna Widerstrom representing the Gophers.
Polyak made sure his name was written down in the record books throughout his sophomore campaign in 2025-26, breaking the school record in the 400 IM (3:42.51). Polyak tallied a sixth place finish in the 200 breast and a pair of top 15 finishes in the 200 IM and 400 IM at the Big Ten Championships, and capped off his season with CSCAA Individual Scholar All-American honors, CSC Academic All-District honors, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar honors, and Academic All-Big Ten honors.
Goodno capped off his 2025-26 season with a fourth place finish on the 3-meter springboard and a pair of top 20 finishes on the 1-meter springboard and 10-meter platform at the Big Ten Championships. The rising junior and 2026-27 team captain earned Academic All-Big Ten honors and the Most Improved team award for his efforts.
McCarthy tallies her third consecutive Big Ten Swimmer to Watch honor heading into 2026-27. The rising senior and team captain earned All American honors with an 11th place finish in the 1650 free at the NCAA Championships, following a pair of top five finishes in the 400 IM and 1650 free at the Big Ten Championships. McCarthy collected CSC Academic All-District and Academic All-Big Ten honors for her efforts.
Widerstrom enters the year as the reigning Big Ten Champion in the 1-meter springboard. The senior and team captain rose up the record books throughout the season, now ranking sixth in program history in the 1-meter (336.95) and seventh in the 3-meter (374.35). Widerstrom collected a pair of All-American honors in both springboard events at the NCAA Championships, and capped off the year being named the 2026 Big Ten Women's Diver of the Year.
Minnesota swimming and diving opens up their 2026-27 season at home in the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday, Oct. 10.
