Wingate Selected as Women’s Swimming Preseason Favorite
ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Wingate was selected as the favorite to win the 2025-26 South Atlantic Conference Women's Swimming Championship, the league office announced today.
The Bulldogs, who captured the 2025 SAC title, received three first-place votes and 18 total points in the preseason poll.
Catawba earned two first-place votes to finish second with 17 points, followed closely by Carson-Newman in third with 16 points. Lenoir-Rhyne was tabbed fourth with 10 points, and
Mars Hill rounded out the poll in fifth with 9 points.
In addition to the preseason poll, the SAC also released its 2025-26 Swimmers to Watch list, recognizing standout performers expected to make an impact this season.
The 2026 SAC Swimming Championships will take place February 4–7 at the Kingsport Aquatic Center in Kingsport, Tenn.
2025-26 SAC Women's Swimming Preseason Poll
|
Rank |
School (First Place Votes) |
Points |
|
1 |
Wingate (3) |
18 |
|
2 |
Catawba (2) |
17 |
|
3 |
Carson-Newman |
16 |
|
4 |
Lenoir-Rhyne |
10 |
|
5 |
Mars Hill |
9 |
Swimmers to Watch
Wingate
Nina Azirovic, Natalia Dwojak, Vera Karlsson
Catawba
Makayla Bazley, Maggie Cheves, Eszter Pajor
Carson-Newman
Kate Nawyn, Paola Gonzales, Ana Faria
Lenoir-Rhyne
Addison Bartemeyer, Ella Penny, Chloe Vestal
Mars Hill
Catalina Portilla, Maria Arrabal, Maria Orozco