Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Oliver Mebs
Photo by: Peter Borkowski
Both Swim and Dive Squads Picked Second in Pre-Championship Polls
02/23/2026 | 10:00:00 | Swimming & Diving
CARBONDALE, Ill. – The 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Swim and Dive Championships begin this week on Wednesday, and both the women's and men's Southern Illinois swim and dive teams were picked as runners-up in their respective pre-championship polls. The polls were voted on by the coaches in the conference.
For the men's team, they finished second with 53 points. They trail pre-championship favorite Miami (OH) by 11 points as Miami collected eight first-place votes. Last season, the men's squad finished second of the seven teams competing in the championships. And this season, the men have compiled a 4-5 record in head-to-head meets, most recently falling 195-97 at Missouri on January 31.
As for the women's squad, the Salukis were picked to finish second with 74 points, trailing the favorited Indiana State by just one vote. SIU received three first-place votes compared to the Sycamores' six. Like the men's squad, Southern's women placed second at last year's championships. This season, the women are 7-3 in head-to-head matchups, also falling to Missouri in the last meet.
The 2026 MVC Swim and Dive Championships begin on Wednesday, February 25, in Evansville, Indiana.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the swim and dive teams by following the them on X at @SIU_SwimDive, on Instagram at @siu_swimdive, and on Facebook at facebook.com/SIUSwimDive. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
For the men's team, they finished second with 53 points. They trail pre-championship favorite Miami (OH) by 11 points as Miami collected eight first-place votes. Last season, the men's squad finished second of the seven teams competing in the championships. And this season, the men have compiled a 4-5 record in head-to-head meets, most recently falling 195-97 at Missouri on January 31.
As for the women's squad, the Salukis were picked to finish second with 74 points, trailing the favorited Indiana State by just one vote. SIU received three first-place votes compared to the Sycamores' six. Like the men's squad, Southern's women placed second at last year's championships. This season, the women are 7-3 in head-to-head matchups, also falling to Missouri in the last meet.
The 2026 MVC Swim and Dive Championships begin on Wednesday, February 25, in Evansville, Indiana.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the swim and dive teams by following the them on X at @SIU_SwimDive, on Instagram at @siu_swimdive, and on Facebook at facebook.com/SIUSwimDive. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
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