Attention sports fans! We've got a thrilling comeback story to tell, one that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Arsenio Bustos, the swimming sensation, is back and better than ever!
Bustos, a name synonymous with aquatic excellence, has returned to the ACC Championships after a year-long hiatus. And what a return it was! He dropped a jaw-dropping seven seconds from his season's best time, claiming another ACC title in the 200 IM with a stunning 1:40.39.
But here's where it gets controversial... Bustos' absence last year left many wondering about the fate of the Wolfpack. With him out of the picture, the men's program finished third, just behind Stanford and Cal. However, his comeback is a game-changer, and NC State is now in the running for the team title at this week's ACC Championships in Atlanta.
And this is the part most people miss... Bustos' journey back to the top wasn't easy. He had been dealing with an injury during the 2024-2025 season, which kept him out of competition entirely. But his determination and talent shone through, and he came into ACCs with a season's best time of 1:47.88, a significant improvement from his mid-season performance.
The 2026 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships is shaping up to be an epic battle, with Bustos leading the charge. Here's a breakdown of the key details:
Dates:
- Diving: February 15-17
- Swimming: February 17-21
Location: McAuley Aquatic Center, Atlanta, GA
Defending Champions: UVA women (6x); Cal men (1x)
Live Coverage:
- Results: https://sidearmstats.com/acc/swimming/
- Video: ESPN+ (https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/da404349-6345-48fa-a064-bc6f015aab14/atlantic-coast-conference)
- Schedule: https://swimswam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-ACC-SwimDiveChampionship_Schedule.pdf
- Championship Central: https://theacc.com/feature/swimdive-championship
- Psych Sheet: https://swimswam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-acc-championship-psych-sheet33.pdf
Teams: Boston College, Cal, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami (women swimming & diving/men diving), NC State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, SMU, Stanford, Virginia, Virginia Tech
In the men's 200 IM, Bustos' performance was nothing short of extraordinary. He beat the ACC Championship Record of 1:40.31, which he himself set in 2023. Here's a look at the top finishers:
Top 8:
1. Arsenio Bustos (NCST) - 1:40.39
2. Maximus Williamson (UVA) - 1:40.78
3. Louis Dramm (UNC) - 1:41.40
4. Daniel Diehl (NCST) - 1:42.24
5. Jackson Millard (UL) - 1:42.33
6. Gibson Holmes (STAN) - 1:42.48
7. Omer Wiener (STAN) - 1:43.54
8. Jeremy Kelly (ND) - 1:43.73
Bustos' return has injected a new level of excitement into the competition. Will NC State claim the team title this week? Only time will tell.
Stay tuned for more updates and analysis from the ACC Championships! And don't forget to share your thoughts and predictions in the comments. Are you team Bustos? Or do you think someone else will steal the show? Let's discuss!
