FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- For the first time in league history, the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) has released a Women’s Swimming and Diving Preseason Coaches Poll for the 2025-26 season.
1. Hope College (5 points, 5 first-place votes)
Hope College enters the season as the unanimous preseason favorite after winning its fifth-straight MIAA championship in 2025 with 1,170 points and placing ninth at the NCAA Championships.
The Flying Dutch return a deep roster highlighted by several All-MIAA performers. Fifth-year senior Greta Gidley, a three-time All-MIAA honoree and 2025 First Team All-American in the 200 IM, returns after winning five MIAA titles last season: the 200 individual medley (2:01.59), 200 free relay (MIAA record of 1:31.75), 200 medley relay (MIAA record of 1:41.02), 400 free relay (MIAA record of 3:22.41), and 400 medley relay (MIAA record of 3:44.43). Sophomore Emme D’Errico captured the 200 fly title in 2:05.68 and swam on the winning 800 free relay (7:28.02). Senior Bella Turner played a key role on multiple record-breaking relays, including the 200 free (1:31.75), 400 medley (3:44.43), and 400 free (3:22.41), while also competing on the winning 800 free relay (7:28.02). Senior Laurel Wasiniak, a three-time All-MIAA honoree and 2025 Second Team All-American, set an MIAA record in the 100 free (49.71), won the 200 free (1:49.70), and swam on all four of Hope’s record-breaking relays: the 200 free (1:31.75), 200 medley (1:41.02), 400 free (3:22.41), and 800 free (7:28.02). Senior Katie Hermann, a three-time All-MIAA honoree, and senior Madi Remenschneider also add veteran leadership to the squad, while junior diver Laura Zupancic provides strength on the boards.
Head coach and Hope alum Jake Taber was named MIAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.
2. Calvin University (9 points, 1 first-place vote)
Calvin was picked second after a 902-point performance at last year’s MIAA Championships and a 12th-place team finish at the NCAA Championships.
The Knights return a top diver in junior Veronica Skipper, the 2025 MIAA Most Valuable Diver and a two-time All-MIAA honoree. Skipper swept the conference diving events, winning the one-meter (426.10) and three-meter (415.40) boards. Calvin’s roster also features junior Elise Bajwa, junior and two-time All-MIAA honoree Emma Merkel, and sophomore Zoe Poe. Poe earned Second Team All-America honors in the 1650 free after winning both the 500 free (5:00.78) and the 1650 free (17:30.48) at the MIAA Championships.
3. Albion College (15 points)
Albion earned third in the preseason poll after scoring 902 points at the 2025 MIAA Championships and placing 26th at the NCAA Championships.
The Britons bring back key contributors in the pool with senior Emily Evers, junior Alyssa Glaser, sophomore Kaitlyn Kreb, and sophomore Charlotte Nguyen. Albion also features depth on the boards with junior Sarah Kohler and senior Sarah Weissman as top returning divers.
4. Kalamazoo College (17 points)
Kalamazoo was voted fourth after a 416-point performance at last year’s championships.
The Hornets return sophomore Parker Keim, who earned All-MIAA honors by finishing second on the three-meter board (396.70) and third on the one-meter (372.70). Top swimmers returning for Kalamazoo include sophomore Georgia Brennaman, junior Sara Cate Finks, sophomore Mallory Gentry, senior Mary Muenzenmaier, senior Anni Schnell, and senior Frannie Turner.
The Hornets also begin a new era under head coach Brie Powers, who returned to Kalamazoo after serving as an assistant coach from 2017–21.
5. Alma College (19 points)
Alma was fifth at the 2025 MIAA Championships with 381 points and returns a seasoned senior group in the pool. Leading the way are Sofia Floros, Grace Ludema, and Lily Smith, who provide strong leadership and depth as the Scots look to climb in the standings.
6. The University of Olivet (25 points)
Olivet rounds out the poll after a sixth-place finish in 2025 with 223 points.
?The Comets bring back several experienced swimmers, including sophomore Morgan Heitman, senior Kelsee Lawson, junior Sophia Spahr, and sophomore Bethany Stowell.
Head coach Megan Dossey, an Olivet alum, enters her first full season after taking over the program in December 2024.
UP AHEAD
The 2025-26 MIAA season will begin with 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. The NCAA Diving Regional will be held on February 27-28, while the NCAA Championships will be hosted at the Indiana University Natatorium from March 18-21.