Dancsok makes a splash, sets new program record for Nanooks
By Amber McCain
Photo courtesy of Alex Dean/ UAF swimming
Dorka Dancsok, a junior swimmer for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks, set program record in the 400-yard individual medley at the 2026 Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference Championships.
Junior Dorka Dancsok set a new program record for the University of Alaska Fairbanks. On Thursday, Feb. 12, winning the 400-yard individual medley at the Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference, or PCSC, Championships. Dancsok, a junior, finished in 4 minutes and 23.31 seconds, the fastest time ever recorded by a UAF swimmer in the event; she improved on her own record from December by more than a second.
When asked about that moment, Dancsok said, “I was really happy with that. I was surprised that I swam not only such a good time, but that I won the race. It was super close, with four of us head to head the whole time.”
She also praised her teammates’ role in her performance. “I genuinely love our team. Everyone supports each other, both in and out of practice, and that team spirit has made such a difference in my performance. Seeing my teammates cheering at the end of the lanes while I was swimming was really awesome, it definitely helped me push for that record.”
The win came a day after she earned a podium finish at the conference championships. At the PCSC championships, she posted personal bests in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:04.02) and 200-yard breaststroke (2:20.42), finishing second and ninth.
“Dorka’s performance in the 400 IM shows all the hard work she’s put in,” said Coach Logan Indest. “Her teammates’ efforts were incredible too.” The team’s effort was on full display with numerous personal and season bests, top-10 finishes in program history, multiple National Collegiate Athletic Association B cuts, and a few record-breaking swims. NCAA B cuts are qualifying times that make swimmers eligible for the national championships.
Dancsok was a standout during the 2024-2025 season, recording 11 first-place finishes in eight meets. She won multiple events in dual meets against Fresno Pacific and Westmont, including the 100-yard breaststroke, 200-yard individual medley, 200-yard breaststroke, and 400-yard individual medley, and claimed three more victories in the 100 breast, 200 and 500 individual medley events at the Logger Invitational.
As a freshman, Dancsok won 16 events in 10 meets, quickly establishing herself as a top performer for the Nanooks.
Looking ahead to nationals and chasing records Dancsok added, “With this 4 IM record, I’m also very close in my three other events, so I really want to get those records. I’m going to try for nationals in Indiana.”