MIAMI – The FIU swimming & diving program has been projected to finish third in the 2026 American Conference Preseason Poll, the league office announced Wednesday afternoon.
FIU earned 54 points in the poll, including two first-place votes. Reigning champion Rice was selected to repeat as conference champion, while new member Liberty was picked second.
The Panthers are coming off a runner-up finish at the 2025 conference championships, placing just 1.5 points shy of the title. FIU captured a meet-high seven gold medals, highlighted by
Nicole Frank, who was named the Most Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet after collecting three individual titles. It marked the second straight year an FIU swimmer earned the league's top honor.
On the national stage, FIU extended its dominance with
Emma Becker qualifying for the NCAA Championships, marking the program's 14th consecutive NCAA appearance—the longest active streak among mid-major programs. Last season, seven Panthers earned Swimmer or Diver of the Week honors, while 11 were named to the All-Conference Team.
FIU returns 15 newcomers and a strong core of medal winners, including Frank,
Oumy Diop,
Kristina Keenan,
Tawannah McLemore, and
Brooke Megdall.
The 2026 American Women's Swimming and Diving Championships will take place from February 18-21 in Greensboro, N.C.
American Swimming and Diving Preseason Poll
| 1 |
Rice (5) |
59 |
| 2 |
Liberty (2) |
57 |
| 3 |
FIU (2) |
54 |
| 4 |
Tulane |
35 |
| 5 |
James Madison |
34 |
| 6 |
East Carolina |
28 |
|
Marshall |
28 |
| 8 |
Florida Atlantic |
15 |
| 9 |
North Texas |
14 |
UP NEXT
FIU opens the season at the TYR Fall Classic on Friday, Oct. 3 - Saturday, Oct. 4. Meet begins at 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m.
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