Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
OSHKOSH, Wisconsin – Grinnell College is the Midwest Conference (MWC) Women’s Swimming & Diving favorite for the 2025-26 season as decided by the preseason coaches’ poll, announced Thursday morning. The league’s nine head coaches voted in the poll and were not allowed to cast a vote for their own team.
The Pioneers accumulated eight first-place votes and 64 points to lead all teams. Grinnell has won the last four championship crowns and 33 titles overall.
St. Norbert College finished in second place with 55 points, grabbing the remaining first-place vote. Lake Forest College (52 points) and Monmouth College (37 points) rounded out the top four.
The poll concluded with Beloit College (33 points), Milwaukee School of Engineering (28 points), Lawrence University (25 points), Illinois College (16 points) and Ripon College (14 points).
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 Women’s Swimming & Diving Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Grinnell College (8 first-place votes) - 64 points
2. St. Norbert College (1) - 55 points
3. Lake Forest College - 52 points
4. Monmouth College - 37 points
5. Beloit College - 33 points
6. Milwaukee School of Engineering - 28 points
7. Lawrence University - 25 points
8. Illinois College - 16 points
9. Ripon College - 14 points
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Dan Vale (2nd Season)
2024-25 MWC Finish: 4th
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: Lydia Nordgreen
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Matthew Hedman (3rd Season)
2024-25 MWC Finish: 1st
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: Sarah Lopez, Sophie Juethner, Ciara Vogler, Samantha Cook, Molly Ryan
Illinois College Lady Blues
Head Coach: Christopher Sykes (13th Season)
2024-25 MWC Finish: 8th
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: N/A
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Andrew Lind (2nd Season)
2024-25 MWC Finish: 3rd
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: Isabella Rozenbergas, Audrey Kilmer, Amelie Andres
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Jody Riskowski (2nd Season)
2024-25 MWC Finish: 5th
Individual Champion/All-Conference Returnees: N/A
Milwaukee School of Engineering Raiders
Head Coach: Renata Schlomann (1st Season)
2024-25 LAAC Finish: 5th
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: 7th
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: Adelle Polzin
(2025 Diver of the Year)