LEXINGTON, Ky. – On Thursday, the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) released the October edition of the Division I Top 25 dual meet poll. The first poll of the 2025-26 season includes the men’s team, coming in at No. 21 after ending last season at No. 20.
The Kentucky swim program is comprised of 29 returners and 21 newcomers for the 2025-26 season. The men’s team specifically had a record year last year, finishing as high as No. 20 at the 2025 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship, their best finish in 15 years.
The men’s squad returns three of the NCAA qualifiers from last season in junior Carson Hick, senior Ryan Merani, and senior Levi Sandidge. With all now holding leadership roles of their own, they will lead a young squad in hopes to better last year’s historic finish.
Throughout the regular season, the No. 21 men’s squad will take on seven top 25 teams (No. 2 Indiana, No. 6 Tennessee, No. 11 Ohio State, No. 12 Louisville, No. 14 LSU, No. 23 Texas A&M, & No. 25 Notre Dame). The women will take on six top 25 programs (No. 4 Tennessee, No. 7 Louisville, No. 9 Indiana, No. 11 Ohio State, No. 21 LSU, & No. 25 Texas A&M).
For a complete list of the rankings, visit: https://tinyurl.com/yaz6b4te
The Kentucky swimming and diving program will open the season taking on the men’s No. 2 and women’s No. 9 Indiana Hoosiers on October 22 at 10 a.m., at the Lancaster Aquatic Center. Fans are encouraged to attend, free of charge, and cheer on the Wildcats against a top ten opponent.
