HICKORY, N.C. – Lenoir-Rhyne has been ranked fifth in the 2026-27 Women's Swimming & Diving Preseason Coaches' Poll, tied with Emmanuel at 62 votes. This 2026-27 season will mark the Bears' first in Conference Carolinas after departing from the South Atlantic Conference in men's and women's swimming.
Lenoir-Rhyne tabs three Preseason Swimmers to Watch, including freshman
Madison Mitton, senior
Ann-Cathrine Beissel, and junior
Emma Sheets.
Vic Riggs leads the Bears into their inaugural conference campaign following a 4-5 finish in 2025. Lenoir-Rhyne will begin the 2026 season on October 24th at Wheeling, with the conference opener on December 5th versus Carson-Newman.
2026 CONFERENCE CAROLINAS WOMEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING PRESEASON POLL
|
School |
Points (1st Place) |
| 1 |
Wingate |
105 (7) |
| 2 |
Catawba |
80 (2) |
| 3 |
UNC Pembroke |
73 (1) |
| 4 |
Carson-Newman |
72 |
| T5 |
Emmanuel |
62 |
| T5 |
Lenoir-Rhyne |
62 |
| 7 |
Converse |
44 |
| 8 |
King |
42 |
| 9 |
Mars Hill |
34 |
| 10 |
Barton |
16 |
| 11 |
Chowan |
15 |
