NEW YORK - Baruch and Hunter tied for the top spot in the 2025-26 CUNY Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll released Thursday morning. The Bearcats and Hawks each earned three first place votes and tied for the top spot with 23 points.
Brooklyn garnered 15 points to slot third in the poll, followed closely by John Jay, which collected 14 points. Lehman (10) and York (5) rounded out the poll.
The 2025-26 CUNYAC women's swimming and diving Swimmers to Watch were also announced.
Baruch captured the conference's regular season championship for the first time since 2013-14 last season, swimming to a 4-0 conference record. The Hawks turned the tables in the conference championship meet, edging the Bearcats by 13.5 points to capture their fifth straight CUNYAC women's swimming and diving championship.
The 2025-26 CUNYAC Women's Swimming and Diving Championship is set for Friday, January 30 through Sunday, February 1 at The APEX at Lehman College.
2025-26 CUNY Athletic Conference
Women's Swimming and Diving Preseason Coaches Poll
(first place votes in parentheses)
T1. Baruch (3) - 23
T1. Hunter (3) - 23
3. Brooklyn - 15
4. John Jay - 14
5. Lehman - 10
6. York - 5
2025-26 CUNYAC Women's Swimming and Diving
Swimmers to Watch
Allyse Alexander, Baruch - Alexander was the 2024-25 CUNYAC Swimmer of the Year as well as the Championship Most Valuable Performer. She went unbeaten against conference competition in 2024-25 while breaking several conference overall and championship records.
Sameeha Malik Shaik, Brooklyn - Shaik posted several top performances at the CUNYAC Championship as a freshman last season, including fourth place in the 200 individual medley and fifth in the 200 backstroke.
Lian Winter, Hunter - In her first season at Hunter, Winter placed second individually at the conference championship in the 100 and 200 butterfly as well as being part of the Hawks' 200 and 400 medley relays that placed second.
Brianna Torres, John Jay - As a freshman last season, Torres came in fifth overall at the CUNYAC Championship in the 100 freestyle and was part of three Bloodhound relays that checked in with third-place finishes.
Marielle Nunez, Lehman - Nunez swam in 12 events for the Lightning in her first season in 2024-25. She competed in three freestlye events for Lehman at the conference championship.
Julia Wyman, York - A member of the CUNYAC women's swimming Sportsmanship Team in 2023-24, Wyman placed fifth at the 2024 conference championship in the 100 butterfly.
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