Contact: Chassidy Holloway, Associate Executive Director, holloway@midwestconference.org
 
GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College is the Midwest Conference (MWC) Women’s Swimming & Diving favorite for the 2024-25 season as decided by the preseason coaches’ poll, announced Friday afternoon. The league’s eight head coaches voted in the poll and were not allowed to cast a vote for their own team.
 
The Pioneers accumulated seven first-place votes and 49 points to lead all teams. Grinnell has won the last three championships crowns and 32 titles overall.
 
Lake Forest College and St. Norbert College tied for second place, each receiving 40 points. The Foresters also secured the final first-place vote.
 
Lawrence University was chosen fourth with 27 points, while Monmouth College and Beloit College garnered 22 and 21 points, respectively. Ripon College (17) and Illinois College (8) rounded out the eight-team rankings.
 
Grinnell, Lawrence, and Ripon will kick off the 2024-25 campaign with pool action this Saturday, October 12. The 2025 MWC Swimming & Diving Championships hosted by Grinnell College will mark the culmination of the season on Friday, February 21, through Sunday, February 23.
 
2024-25 MWC Women’s Swimming & Diving Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Grinnell College (7) – 49 points
T2. Lake Forest College (1) – 40 points
T2. St. Norbert College – 40 points
4. Lawrence University – 27 points
5. Monmouth College – 22 points
6. Beloit College – 21 points
7. Ripon College – 17 points
8. Illinois College – 8 points
 
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Dan Vale (1^st Season)
2023-24 MWC Finish: 7^th
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: Helena Harrison (Sr – 2024 MWC Diver of the Year, 1M Diving)

Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Matthew Hedman (2^nd Season)
2023-24 MWC Finish: 1^st
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: Sophia Carroll (Sr – 200 Freestyle, 200/400 Freestyle Relay); Camryn Gonzales (Sr – 100 Butterfly, 200/400 Freestyle Relay, 200 Medley Relay); Sarah Lopez (Jr – 200 Butterfly, 200/400 Medley Relay); Molly Ryan (So – 400 Medley Relay); Kailee Shermak (Sr –200/400 Freestyle Relay); Ciara Vogler (Jr – 50/100 Freestyle, 200/400 Freestyle Relay, 200/400 Medley Relay)

Illinois College Lady Blues
Head Coach: Christopher Sykes (12^th Season)
2023-24 MWC Finish: 8^th
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Andrew Lind (1^st Season)
2023-24 MWC Finish: 3^rd
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: Amelie Andres (Jr – 2023 MWC Newcomer of the Year, 100/200 Breaststroke, 400 Freestyle Relay); Izabella Harju (So – 2024 MWC Newcomer of the Year, 800 Freestyle Relay); Audrey Kilmer (So – 2024 MWC Swimmer of the Year, 200/400 Individual Medley, 200 Backstroke, 800 Freestyle Relay); Valeria Welk (Jr – 800 Freestyle Relay)
 
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Jody Riskowski (1^st Season)
2023-24 MWC Finish: 4^th
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: Irina Starostin (Sr – 100 Butterfly, 100 Freestyle) 

Monmouth College Scots
Head Coach: Jake Dacus (4^th Season) 
2023-24 MWC Finish: T5^th
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Grace Carlson (1^st Season)
2023-24 MWC Finish: T5^th
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
St. Norbert College Green Knights
Head Coach: Ryan Goggans (2^nd Season) 
2023-24 MWC Finish: 2^nd
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: N/A