Golden Grizzlies Chosen No. 1 in #HLSD Preseason Poll

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – On Wednesday, the Horizon League introduced its 2026-27 Under Armour #HLSD Preseason Poll, with Oakland chosen by the league’s head coaches to complete first for each the lads’s and girls’s swimming and diving applications.

The Oakland University swimming and diving groups intention to increase their convention streak, as each groups have received the Horizon League title each season since becoming a member of the convention in 2013-14. With final season’s championship, the lads’s and girls’s groups have now received 13 consecutive #HLSD titles, leading to 48 straight convention championships for the lads and 32 for the ladies.

Last season, the ladies’s crew was led by Lydia Soldatke, who was named each the 2026 Freshman of the Year and Athlete of the Year. She returns for her sophomore 12 months, joined by seniors Clarissa Bezuidenhout, Delaney Buckner, Ava McNamara, Ariana Rice, and Casey Sanders. With a robust incoming freshman class, the Golden Grizzlies seem effectively positioned heading into the season.

The males’s crew has misplaced a few of its prime opponents through the offseason, together with NCAA qualifier Christopher Palvadre. However, they return a nine-member senior class to assist prepared the ground towards one other convention championship. Along with 2026 Freshman of the Year Cooper Dillman, Finnish nationwide file holder Ajjuub Ezzat, and an incoming freshman class of seven, Oakland is able to showcase its depth as soon as once more this season.

The Golden Grizzlies open the 2026-27 season with the annual Black and Gold Intrasquad meet on Sept. 25 earlier than formally starting their schedule towards  Youngstown State on Oct. 2-3 at residence on the Oakland Aquatic Center.

See the total males’s and girls’s #HLSD Preseason Polls under:

2026-27 Under Armour Men’s #HLSD Preseason Poll

Place. Team – Points

1. Oakland – 47

2. IU Indianapolis – 43

3. Milwaukee – 30 

4. Cleveland State – 25

5. Green Bay – 23

6. Youngstown State – 19

7. Northern Kentucky – 9

 

2026-27 Under Armour Women’s #HLSD Preseason Poll

Place. Team – Points

1. Oakland – 49 

2. Milwaukee – 37

3. IU Indianapolis – 35

4. Cleveland State – 32

5. Youngstown State – 20

6. Green Bay – 15

7. Northern Kentucky – 8

How to Follow Oakland Swimming and Diving: For full data on Oakland Swimming and Diving, comply with the crew on Instagram and on X at @OAK_swim_dive.