Ladies’s Swimming and Diving Picked Third, Lommel Tabbed Preseason Diver of the Year in NSIC Preseason Poll

BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Augustana ladies’s swimming & diving group was picked to complete third within the NSIC Preseason Poll, launched by the convention workplace on Thursday. Avery Lommel was chosen because the NSIC Preseason Diver of the Year for the second yr in a row. 

“We are coming off a season where we turned over half our team over in 2025-2026. This year, we return a very good young core and add to that with an incoming class eager to perform at a high level. There is a lot of excitement for this season to build off where we ended last year. Last season came with challenges and our team had an opportunity to learn and grow, and I think over the course of the summer and early part of the fall we’ve gotten a real feel for that.”, mentioned head coach Andrew Makpeace. 

“Our men bring much of that same excitement to practices, which helps create an exceptional practice and learning environment! Everyone knows what the NSIC has in store for competition, so we are thoroughly prepared for that and enjoy the challenge that is yet to come. Our vibes have been great to start the year and we look forward to continuing that momentum towards championship portions of the season! Skol!”

Avery Lommel was chosen because the NSIC Preseason Diver of the Year after she earned All-American standing final season within the 1M and 3M dive. She is a two-time NSIC Diver of the Year. 

“Avery is coming off an incredible junior season where she was a two-time All-American, finishing fifth place on both the 1M and 3M boards. She is going to have a banner senior season. Seeing what she accomplished last year at the NCAA championships is only scratching the surface of what she’s capable of in her final season. Big things are ahead as she leads our dive squad!”

In the identical launch, freshman Ágnes Virag was named because the Viking athlete to observe. The Hungarian native will swim within the breaststroke and butterfly occasions. 

“Ágnes is entering her first year at Augustana and we are very excited to have her join the Viking squad. She will make an impact across a variety of events throughout the duration of our season, but especially in breaststroke. Since she’s been on campus, Ágnes has been a pleasure to work with and her excitement and enthusiasm is pretty contagious for the rest of our squad. We are looking to build off of our finish last year and really make an impact and she’s gonna be one of the people spearheading that.”

Augustana swims into the 2026-27 season on Friday, October 9, in opposition to South Dakota State on the Midco Aquatic Center. 

NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Minnesota State (9), 81

St. Cloud State (1), 67

Augustana, 66

Sioux Falls, 52

UMary, 47

Concordia-St. Paul, 42

MSU Moorhead, 34

Southwest Minnesota State, 26

Northern State, 14

Jamestown, 12

– GoAugie.com –