2026 NCAA ‘B’ finalist in the 50 freestyle Kristina Paegle of Indiana is on the Hoosiers roster for the College Swimming League. Paegle is one of 38 athletes that is a member of the Wells vs. NCAA lawsuit in Kentucky.
Paegle arrived at Indiana in fall 2022 and has been a core member of the team’s sprint freestyle group over the last four seasons. She was expected to be the biggest loss for the team this upcoming season as she scored seven individual points at the 2026 NCAA Championships with a 10th place finish in the 50 free with a lifetime best 21.51.
In addition to her individual finish, she was a key contributor to the team’s relays as she helped them to a 3rd place finish in the 200 free relay, a 5th place finish in the 400 free relay, and a 9th place finish in the 200 medley relay at 2026 NCAAs. The return of Paegle is a huge boost as she will be able to boost the sprint free group alongside Liberty Clark.
The team finished 7th at the 2026 NCAA Championships and added the #3 ranked recruiting class in the off-season led by breaststroke transfer Anita Bottazzo from Florida and two top-20 ranked recruits.
The Wells vs. NCAA lawsuit is the first of two cases that Paegle is a member of. Paegle also was a member of the lawsuit alongside Indiana teammates Zalan Sarkany and Owen McDonald as the two have filed a lawsuit against the NCAA seeking a 5th year of eligibility. Earlier this week, a judge granted Sarkany and McDonald a 5th year.
The Indiana women kick off their season tonight at Match 1 of the College Swimming League. The meet begins at 6:3o pm EST in Westmont, Illinois.
