NEW YORK - Defending CUNY Athletic Conference women's swimming and diving champion Hunter edged Baruch in the 2026-27 preseason coaches' poll announced Thursday afternoon.

The Hawks, who won their sixth straight and conference record 16th women's swimming and diving crown in 2025-26, collected four of six first place votes and garnered 24 total points.  Baruch, last season's runner-up, collected the other two first place votes and finished with 22 points overall.

Brooklyn and John Jay tied for the third spot, each finishing with 15 points.  Lehman (8) and York (6) rounded out the poll.

The 2026-27 CUNYAC women's swimming and diving Swimmers to Watch were also announced.

Hunter finished 5-0 during the regular season to win the regular season championship a season ago, then collected 267 points at the conference championship to outdistance the Bearcats.  John Jay (148) and Brooklyn (117) placed third and fourth.

The 2026-27 CUNYAC Women's Swimming and Diving Championship is set for Friday, January 29 through Sunday, January 31 at The APEX at Lehman College.

2026-27 CUNY Athletic Conference
Women's Swimming and Diving Preseason Coaches Poll
(first place votes in parentheses)

1. Hunter (4) - 24
2. Baruch (2) - 22
T3. Brooklyn - 15
T3. John Jay - 15
5. Lehman - 8
6. York - 6

Swimmers to Watch

Allyse Alexander, Baruch

Alexander enters her senior season a two-time conference Swimmer of the Year and a two-time championship Most Valuable Performer. Last season she was conference champion in the 100 breaststroke, the 200 butterfly and the 200 individual medley.

Elizabeth Bailey-Hamm, Brooklyn

One of last season's top newcomers, Bailey-Hamm was conference champion in the 50 freestyle last season and was a three-time CUNYAC Rookie of the Week.

Grace Valette, Hunter

Valette, the 2025-26 conference Rookie of the Year, won three events at the conference championship, claiming gold in the 1650 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 500 freestyle.

Luciana Uriarte, John Jay

At the conference championship last season, Uriarte placed fourth in the 200 IM and 200 butterfly and was also part of three third place relay teams for the Bloodhounds.

Mariella Nunez, Lehman

Nunez swam in 13 events for the Lightning in 2025-26, her second with the program. She competed in the short freestyle and backstroke events.

Elizabeth Astudillo, York

As a freshman last season, Astudillo competed at the conference championship in the 100 breaststroke and 100 freestyle.

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