ATLANTA – Missouri State freshman Kiefer Roemer finished second in heat No. 1 at the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Swimming and Diving Championships in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 52.15, on Thursday at the McAuley Aquatic Center. His performance earned him a 29th place finish in the event.
His time was the fourth fastest freshman mark in this year's NCAA preliminaries. The freshman's performance is also a lifetime best time, and the second fastest time in the 100-yard breaststroke in Missouri State history. Roemer overtook himself yet again on the Bears all-time leaderboard, and now sits at second, third and fourth positions with his times in the 100 yard-breaststroke over this season (52.15 on March 26, 52.56 on Feb. 27 and 52.80 on Nov. 20).
"I am so proud of Kiefer for putting up a monster swim on the biggest stage. He has been great all year and earned this opportunity. What a freshman year!," stated head coach Dave Collins.
Roemer won gold in the 100-yard breaststroke during the Missouri Valley Conference Championship with a time of 52.56 that set an MVC record and earned him the NCAA ticket. He also received the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Freshman of the Year award after the Missouri State men's swimming and diving team earned the 2026 MVC title – its 22nd total conference championship.
Roemer was grateful for the support and the opportunity.
"It was really cool to see all my teammates and my family here and they all travelled a really long way, to cheer me on so I knew I had to show them something. I also had OG swimmers from Missouri State (alumni) like Blair and Mike out there cheering me on and they're coaches on the other teams and it's so cool that they were all super supportive. As I wrapped up this meet it was really cool to go a personal best time. The experience I had this year at the NCAA's is definitely making me a lot more hungry for next year and seeing the level I can get to."
Roemer is Missouri State's 13th NCAA Division I national qualifier in program history and the second freshman.
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