MIAMI – FIU swimming & diving has been projected to finish fourth in the 2026 American Conference Preseason Poll, as announced by the league office Thursday afternoon.
The Panthers earned 42 points in the preseason poll. Reigning conference champion Rice was selected to repeat as conference champion, while Liberty was picked to finish second.
FIU is coming off a fourth-place finish at the 2026 American Conference Championships, totaling 990 points and capturing eight medals. The Panthers highlighted their championship performance with a gold medal in the 200 medley relay, where the team of
Oumy Diop,
Tawannah McLemore,
Diana Santamaria and Frida Stretre Løbersli set new FIU and American Conference records.
On the national stage, FIU extended its NCAA streak as Stretre Løbersli qualified for the NCAA Championships, marking the program's 15th consecutive NCAA appearance and the longest active streak among mid-major programs. The Panthers also had 11 student-athletes named to the All-Conference Team.
FIU returns 12 student-athletes while welcoming a strong group of 14 newcomers, joining a core of returning medalists that includes
Claudia Frasca,
Kristina Keenan and
Diana Santamaria.
The 2027 American Women's Swimming and Diving Championships will take place Feb. 17-20 in Lynchburg, Virginia.
2026 American Conference Women's Swimming and Diving Preseason Coaches Poll
| 1 |
Rice (8) |
64 |
| 2 |
Liberty |
57 |
| 3 |
Tulane |
43 |
| 4 |
FIU |
42 |
| 5 |
East Carolina |
36 |
| 6 |
James Madison |
32 |
| 7 |
Florida Atlantic |
26 |
| 8 |
UNT |
15 |
| 9 |
Marshall |
9 |
Social Media
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