By: Madie Brink
BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls Swim team was picked to finish fourth in the 2026-27 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league Thursday.
The Cougars received 52 points in the preseason poll, placing them behind Minnesota State, St. Cloud State and Augustana. USF enters the season with a young roster but returns several key contributors from last year's squad, including a number of conference scorers.
"We are young, but we are returning many of our scorers from the 2025-26 season," head coach Rickey Perkins said. "We have the versatility, work ethic and competitive mindset to make an impact at the NSIC and NCAA levels this season."
2026-27 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll
Minnesota State was selected as the conference favorite after receiving 81 points and nine first-place votes. St. Cloud State earned 67 points and the remaining first-place vote to finish second, while Augustana followed closely behind with 66 points.
Sioux Falls checked in fourth with 52 points, while the University of Mary rounded out the top five with 47 points.
Minnesota State's Savannah Acker was selected as the NSIC Preseason Swimmer of the Year, while Augustana's Avery Lommel was named the NSIC Preseason Diver of the Year for the third consecutive season.
NSIC coaches rank each team from first through ninth, with a first-place vote worth nine points, second place worth eight points and continuing down the standings. Coaches cannot rank their own team or vote for their own student-athletes.
Moro Named USF Athlete to Watch
Senior Alessia Moro was selected as Sioux Falls' NSIC Athlete to Watch after a standout 2025-26 season in which she captured three individual NSIC championships.
Moro enters the new season as the defending conference champion in the 500-yard freestyle, 1,000-yard freestyle and 1,650-yard freestyle. Her versatility and success in the distance freestyle events position her as one of the Cougars' top returners heading into the season.
"Alessia's versatility, work ethic and competitive mindset give her the potential to make an impact in multiple events for the Cougars this season," Perkins said. "As she continues to build confidence and consistency, Alessia has the opportunity to take another significant step forward this season by not only repeating as the NSIC champion in the 1,000, 500 and 1,650 free events, but also representing USF and the NSIC at the NCAA Championships. Keep an eye on her as she looks to turn her preparation into breakthrough performances again this season."
Looking Ahead
The NSIC Swimming & Diving season gets underway Thursday, Sept. 24, with the conference season culminating at the NSIC Swimming & Diving Championships, scheduled for Feb. 10-13 at the Hulbert Aquatic Center in West Fargo, North Dakota.
The NSIC currently features 10 swimming and diving programs following the addition of the University of Jamestown for the 2025-26 academic year. The conference reinstated swimming and diving as an all-NSIC sport in 2016-17 and has continued to expand in recent years.
Up Next
The Cougars will open their season on October 17th at MSU Moorhead followed by the Jamestown Invite October 23-24 before returning home to host Augustana, UMary, and Jamestown in the USF Quad Dual meet on November 6 at the Midco Aquatic Center.
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