Florida Atlantic University Wins 2026 APP Selkirk U.S. Collegiate Championships

The 2026 APP Selkirk U.S. Collegiate Championships took place March 6–8 at The Courts in Cape Coral, Florida, bringing together top collegiate pickleball teams from across the country.

The event marked the culmination of the APP’s collegiate season, with teams qualifying through regional events held earlier in the year.

Florida Atlantic University captured the 2026 collegiate team title, defeating Utah Tech in the championship match. The win gave Florida Atlantic its first APP collegiate championship.

“This team is absolutely amazing,” said FAU team captain Bella Nelson.

“We pick each other up when everyone’s down, we know how to pull it together, find the game plan and have each other’s backs – and that’s what makes it so special.”

The tournament featured dozens of schools competing in a team-based format that includes men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles matches. Teams advanced through pool play and elimination rounds before the final matchup determined the national champion.

Utah Tech finished as runner-up after a strong run through the bracket, while several other collegiate programs advanced deep into the tournament field.

Full team results:

1. National Champions: Florida Atlantic University
2. National Runners Up: Utah Tech University (1)
3. Third Place: University of Texas-Austin
4. Florida State (Gold)

The event is part of the APP’s broader collegiate initiative designed to expand competitive pickleball on college campuses. Teams qualify for the championship through a series of regional tournaments held during the school year, with the top programs earning spots in the national championship field.

The 2026 championship continues the rapid growth of collegiate pickleball, which has seen increasing participation from universities nationwide and expanding competitive opportunities for student-athletes.

Individual Results, according to the APP Tour:

Men’s Singles

In a battle of teammates, APP Next standout Alec LaMacchio (Florida Atlantic) defeated Jayden Broderick (Florida Atlantic) in the men’s singles final, 15-11, 11-15, 15-7. Will Lieberman (Grand Canyon) took home the men’s singles third place finish.

Women’s Singles

Tate Keber (Florida State) repped the garnet and gold with pride as she cruised in the women’s singles final 15-9, 15-4, over Lauren Mercado (Utah Tech). Lesa Ritchie (UC San Diego) secured the women’s singles third place finish.

Men’s Doubles

After facing one another in the men’s singles final, FAU teammates Jayden Broderick and Alec LaMacchio teamed up for their men’s doubles run. The Owls duo took down the University of Texas squad of Jack Munro and Eli Trumeter 4-11, 11-7, 11-9, giving LaMacchio his third overallnational title of the tournament. Clayton Boydston and Liam Duffin (Utah Tech) finished third overall.

Women’s Doubles

In a repeat from 2025, the women’s doubles final featured all Utah Tech players, with Lauren Mercado and Mary Monson defeating their schoolmates Ella Boydston and Ashlee Searle, 11-8, 11-7. Victoria Falk and Erin Johnsen (Texas) earned third place overall.

Mixed Doubles

Utah Tech continued to collect hardware as Mary Monson and Liam Duffin defeated Bella Nelson and Alec LaMacchio (Florida Atlantic) in the mixed doubles final, 15-2, clinching Monson her second national title of the event.

Feature image via the APP Tour