Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
 
OSHKOSH, Wisconsin – The Midwest Conference (MWC) swimming & diving head coaches have predicted the Pioneers of Grinnell College to claim their 10th straight league title in the 2025-26 preseason coaches’ poll, announced Thursday afternoon. Coaches were not allowed to cast a vote for their own teams.
 
Grinnell claimed 64 points and eight of the nine available first-place votes to secure the top spot. The Pioneers’ program has 46 total team championship crowns.
 
St. Norbert College (53 points) narrowly edged Lake Forest College (50) for second place in the poll, while league newcomer Milwaukee School of Engineering (43 points) earned the remaining first-place vote.
 
Illinois College (38 points), Lawrence University (28 points), Monmouth College (23 points), Beloit College (14 points) and Ripon College (11 points) rounded out the poll.
 
The 2025-26 season opens this Saturday, October 4, with new affiliate member Milwaukee School of Engineering heading to Carroll for a dual meet. The season will conclude at the 2026 MWC Swimming & Diving Championships hosted by Grinnell College on Thursday, February 19, through Sunday, February 22.
 
2025-26 MWC Men’s Swimming & Diving Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Grinnell College (8 first-place votes) – 64 points
2. St. Norbert College - 53 points
3. Lake Forest College - 50 points
4. Milwaukee School of Engineering (1) - 43 points
5. Illinois College - 38 points
6. Lawrence University - 28 points
7. Monmouth College - 23 points
8. Beloit College - 14 points
9. Ripon College - 11 points
 
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Dan Vale (2nd Season)
2024-25 MWC Finish: 7th
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: Jeremy Mueller
 
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Matthew Hedman (3rd Season)
2024-25 MWC Finish: 1st
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: Evan Feilmeyer (2025 Newcomer of the Year), Aidan Donovan, Rommin Adl, Keely Yeager, Noah Tsukuda, Chris Zhou
 
Illinois College Blueboys
Head Coach: Christopher Sykes (13th Season)
2024-25 MWC Finish: 4th
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: Eli Eberle, Scottie Nicotra
 
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Andrew Lind (2nd Season)
2024-25 MWC Finish: 3rd
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: Gavin Biccum
 
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Jody Riskowski (2nd Season)
2024-25 MWC Finish: 5th
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: Jackson Bertman (2025 Diver of the Year)
 
Milwaukee School of Engineering Raiders
Head Coach: Renata Schlomann (1st Season)
2024-25 LAAC Finish: 3rd
 
Monmouth College Fighting Scots
Head Coach: Jake Dacus (5th Season)
2024-25 MWC Finish: 6th
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Grace Carlson (2nd Season)
2024-25 MWC Finish: 8th
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
St. Norbert College Green Knights
Head Coach: Ryan Goggans (3rd Season)
2024-25 MWC Finish: 2nd
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: N/A