Michigan to Start New Season with Two-Meet Week

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan ladies’s swimming and diving crew (0-0) will open the 2026-27 season on Thursday (Sept. 24) on the inaugural College Swimming League (CSL) meet at FMC Natatorium in Westmont, Ill. Competition begins at 5:30 p.m. CT, and the meet shall be streamed dwell on ESPN+. The Wolverines will return to Ann Arbor on Friday (Sept. 25) to host the TEAM BE BETTER; Invitational at 3 p.m. at Canham Natatorium.

Notes

• U-M enters the season ranked No. 6 nationally by the CSCAA and returns 17 members from final season’s roster whereas welcoming 13 newcomers.

• Senior Bella Sims was named a Big Ten Swimmer to Watch on Tuesday (Sept. 22). Last season, she was a five-time Big Ten champion, earned All-Big Ten first-team honors, and was named Big Ten Swimmer of the Championships. A seven-time All-American, Sims additionally captured the NCAA title within the 400-yard particular person medley.

• Reigning Big Ten champions Hannah Bellard, Leila Fack and Stephanie Balduccini additionally return for the Wolverines after sturdy performances ultimately season’s NCAA Championships.

• Michigan will compete within the inaugural season of the College Swimming League and can carry 14 swimmers to Match One. The Wolverines are certainly one of 12 groups competing within the league, with Thursday’s matchup additionally that includes Louisville, Indiana and Ohio State.

• Michigan welcomes six freshmen: Gioia Balzano, Miyaka Chang, Ridley Hagerman, Hazel Huilman, Gilaine Ma and McKinley Scobie will make their collegiate debuts, and 7 transfers in Haley McDonald (Texas), Kamryn Meskill (UNC), Nina Schwab (Carleton College), Rebecca Ciancaglini (California), Mia Henninger (Missouri), Julia Stronjnowska (Auburn) and Charlotte Martinkus (Princeton) who’re starting their careers sporting maize and blue.

• Martinkus, a graduate switch and four-time Ivy League champion and NCAA Championships qualifier, begins her first season at Michigan as a Big Ten Diver to Watch.

• Matt Bowe enters his fourth season on the helm of the Michigan swimming and diving program. He is joined by Gunnar Schmidt, who was promoted to affiliate head coach.

• Friday’s TEAM BE BETTER; Invitational will function Michigan, Calvin and Hope competing in conventional and non-traditional occasions in a non-scoring format. The annual occasion honors the reminiscence of former Michigan swimmer Ian Miskelley.

• Following its opening weekend, Michigan will host Pittsburgh in a twin meet on Friday, Oct. 9, at Canham Natatorium.