2 Eagles medal as Team USA tops podium at FISU America Games
4 – minute read
Florida Gulf Coast University’s contingent at the 2026 FISU America Games left Lima, Peru, with hardware to show for it. Head coach Dave Rollins, assistant coach Antonio Nunez-Alvarez and swimmers Izzy Ackley and Aislyn Barnett helped Team USA top the medal table with 41 gold, 30 silver and 26 bronze medals.
Ackley medaled in all three of her events, winning gold in the 50 backstroke in 29.34 and silver in the 100 backstroke in 1:02.95, then adding a second silver as part of the 400 medley relay in 4:16.25. Barnett claimed gold in the 1500 freestyle in 17:27.20 and finished fourth in the 400 freestyle in 4:33.39.
“Overall, the team did phenomenal,” Rollins said. “We performed really well. Izzy and Aislyn both walked away with gold medals, which is an incredible achievement and accomplishment. The team was dominant from day one, which was awesome to see and be a part of.”
The FISU America Games, a multi-sport competition among college athletes from the Americas, occurred July 20-Aug.1. It was the first international competition for both swimmers.
“You never really know how people are going to react when it’s their first opportunity to compete internationally, but they both have great heads on their shoulders,” Rollins said. “They were able to remain calm and perform the way that they were capable of, and it was awesome to see.”
For Rollins, the trip offered more than results. He pointed to the flag-raising ceremonies and the bonds formed with athletes from across the country as some of the most rewarding parts of the week.
“It was very rewarding getting to work with so many great athletes, seeing the flag being displayed, and hearing the national anthem,” Rollins said. “It’s very humbling to stand there and see them on the award stands, their medal around their neck, their hand over their heart. You kind of get overwhelmed a little bit with some emotions, but I’m just very proud of them and what they were able to accomplish.”
Barnett, a senior entrepreneurship major from Littleton, Colorado, said the experience left a lasting impression well beyond the pool.
“Spending the week with teammates from around the United States was an unforgettable time,” she said. “Experiencing another country and getting to do so with new friends was incredibly special. The opportunity to race in a meet that was out of the ordinary from what I am used to in America was exciting, and gaining new ideas and knowledge from other coaches and athletes was insightful and something I’ll take with me into the future.”
A junior exercise science major from Lake St. Louis, Missouri, Ackley felt similarly about closing out her first taste of international competition on the podium.
“Representing Team USA and racing against some of the best from around the world was something I’ll never forget,” she said. “Getting to do it alongside Aislyn and the rest of the U.S. team made it even more special. Being able to bring home a gold medal in my first international meet is something I’m really proud of, and I can’t wait to bring that confidence and experience back with me this season.”
Rollins said he expects the trip to pay off for FGCU well beyond Lima — in the culture the Eagles build this season and in the message it sends to future recruits. Team USA’s roster for the swimming competition included 44 athletes from 27 universities. The group included NCAA qualifiers, All-Americans, conference champions and record-holders from Power Four and mid-major programs.
“Getting to interact with all the other athletes from the U.S., seeing how they prepared, talking with their coaches, just helps continue to expand my knowledge base and hopefully bring a few things back to FGCU to help our program continue to rise,” Rollins said. “It continues to show recruits that you’re capable of competing on the world stage, and I’m hoping we can continue to raise the level of the program with the level of athlete that we bring in.”
