FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- For the first time in league history, the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has released a Men’s Swimming and Diving Preseason Coaches Poll for the 2025-26 season. Calvin University was picked as the preseason favorite, collecting four of six first-place votes.
1. Calvin University (6 points, 4 first-place votes)
The Knights are favored to capture a fourth-straight MIAA title after scoring 1,103 points at last year’s championships and finishing 11th at the NCAA Championships.
Calvin returns a decorated group of All-MIAA performers. Senior Caleb Gemmen, a three-time honoree, helped the Knights to relay victories in 2025 by swimming on the winning 400 medley relay (3:14.70) and 200 medley relay (1:28.97). Senior Timothy Hays, also a three-time All-MIAA honoree, captured individual conference titles in the 200 IM (1:49.49) and 200 fly (1:49.26). Sophomore Diego Herrera Mora adds depth to the roster after earning all-conference status in his first collegiate season. Senior Charles Platt, a three-time All-MIAA honoree and 2025 Second Team All-American, dominated the championships by setting the MIAA record in the 100 back (47.53) and also winning the 200 free (1:37.49) and 200 back (1:45.74). He was part of Calvin’s record-breaking 800 free relay (6:33.26) and also swam on the winning 400 medley (3:14.70), 200 medley (1:28.97), and 400 free (2:57.54) relays. Senior Jacob Ziegler returns as another key contributor after receiving All-MIAA honors in 2025.
Head coach and Calvin alum Dan Gelderloos was named MIAA Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.
2. Hope College (8 points, 2 first-place votes)
The Flying Dutchmen earned two first-place votes after placing second in 2025 with 1,060 points and finishing 27th at the NCAA Championships.
Hope returns a deep and balanced lineup. Sophomore Joe Engle emerged as a distance standout last season, winning both the 500 free (4:32.53) and 1650 free (16:07.72). Sophomore Luke Newcomb set an MIAA record in the 100 breast with a time of 54.45. Junior Alex Pierce, a two-time All-MIAA honoree, claimed the 400 IM title in 4:03.14. Additional returning All-MIAA performers include junior Josh Bordovsky, sophomore Everett Cox, and junior Graham Eisenmann, giving Hope one of the league’s strongest returning groups.
3. Kalamazoo College (15 points)
The Hornets were voted third after their 468-point finish in last year’s championships. Diver Zander Ligman made an immediate impact as a freshman, earning All-MIAA honors with a runner-up finish on the one-meter board (453.15). Kalamazoo also welcomes back senior Trustin Christopher, sophomore Reed Dixon, junior Zachary Heikka, and junior Avery Jones.
This season also marks the debut of head coach Brie Powers, who returns to the program after previously serving as an assistant from 2017–21.
T4. Albion College (18 points)
The Britons finished fourth in 2025 with 433 points and bring back senior Jeremy Romero, who earned All-MIAA honors last season. Romero was runner-up on the three-meter board (374.65) and placed third on the one-meter (381.75). Senior leadership will be key for Albion as swimmers Jalen Hung, Evan Steele, and Cam Thompson headline the returning group.
T4. Alma College (18 points)
The Scots were fifth at the 2025 championships with 290 points. Alma’s roster is led by a core of experienced swimmers, including junior Andrew Barrett and seniors Eli Mull, Brent Riehl, and Kyle Scheck, who will look to push the program forward in the standings.
6. The University of Olivet (25 points)
The Comets placed sixth in 2025 and enter the upcoming campaign under the direction of head coach Megan Dossey. An Olivet alum, Dossey begins her first full season after being named head coach in December 2024. Senior Matthew Brown and sophomore Erick Horne return for the Comets?
UP AHEAD
The 2025-26 MIAA season begins with two league-wide invites on October 25 and January 24. Hope College will host the MIAA Championships at the Holland Aquatic Center from February 18-21, followed by the NCAA Diving Regional on February 27-28 and the NCAA Championships at the Indiana University Natatorium on March 18-21.