2025-26 NCAA Women’s Power Rankings: Post-Invites Edition

As in previous years, SwimSwam’s Power Rankings are somewhere between the CSCAA-style dual meet rankings and a pure prediction of NCAA finish order. SwimSwam’s rankings take into account how a team looks at the moment, while keeping the end of the season in mind through things like a team’s previous trajectory and NCAA scoring potential. These rankings are by nature subjective, and a jumping-off point for discussion. If you disagree with any team’s ranking, feel free to make your case in our comments section.

Braden Keith, James Sutherland, Robert Gibbs, Madeline Folsom, Anya Pelshaw, and Terin Frodyma contributed to this report.

As we move into the second semester’s dual meets, which restart at scale next week, it’s time to evaluate where teams stand and where they’re headed mid-season. These rankings were heavily informed, though not dictated by, the mid-season scoring exercise.

Previous Rankings: 

• Early-season
• Pre-invites

Honorable Mentions: UNC, Nebraska, Florida State, UCLA, Rutgers, Arkansas

#25: Arizona State Sun Devils -8 (Previous Rank: 17)

The Sun Devils don’t have any relays in NCAA scoring position right now, which is where 36 out of their 41.5 points came from a year ago. That’s going to be key for a top 25 (and above) finish come March.   – A.P.

#24: Kansas Jayhawks +1 (Previous Rank: 25)

The Jayhawks remain heavily reliant on junior diver Shiyun Lai, who helped carry the team to 25th place at last year’s NCAA Championship meet as their only NCAA qualifier. She’s continued to look strong this year and appears poised to replicate, if not improve upon, her 2025 performance. – S.G.

#23. Fresno State — (Previous Rank: NR)

Mackenzie Lung transferred to Fresno State and picked up right where she left off in the breaststroke events. She leads a strong group of women and leads their hopes of a top 25 finish at NCAAs. – M.F.

#22. South Carolina Gamecocks -1 (Previous Rank: 21)

Amy Riordan looks solid so far and diving is usually a boost for the Gamecocks led by Sophie Verzyl. – A.P.

#21. Miami (FL) Hurricanes -3 (Previous Rank: 18)

Miami women looked great at the Texas Diving Invitational. They picked up the top 3 spots on 1-meter even against top-flight diving programs like Texas, Texas A&M, Stanford, and Utah. – M.F.

#20. Purdue Boilermakers -1 (Previous Rank: 19)

Although they are listed to have 8 points coming in the pool right now from the 800 free relay, their time does not even give them the ‘A’ cut. Instead, I expect diving to be the big factor here. – A.P.

#19: Auburn Tigers +5 (Previous Rank: 24)

Lisa Klevanovich has really thrown herself onto the national radar, posting best times in the 50 and 100 frees at the Wolfpack Elite Invite. I expect her to be in contention for an SEC title in the 50, and be in the running for a championship final in that event as well. Her contributions to Tiger relays will also be crucial if Auburn wants to continue this rise in the rankings. – T.F.

#18: Pittsburgh Panthers — (Previous Rank: NR)

The Pitt women had a strong showing at midseason and will return to NCAAs in relays again. Claire Jansen has plenty of NCAA experience and looks solid for backstroke points as well. – A.P.

#17: Wisconsin Badgers +6 (Previous Rank: 23)

Wisconsin just continues to improve. They are not just transitioning well to a new coach, they are thriving. The Wanezek sisters are leading the charge as the Badgers keep moving their way up the rankings. – M.F.

#16. Duke Blue Devils -3 (Previous Rank: 13)

Kaelyn Gridley was fast at midseason and Ali Pfaff looks to add to individual points come March as well. – A.P.

#15: LSU Tigers +5 (Previous Rank: 20)

Sofia Sartori and Giulia Zambelli will be among the key names for Tigers moving forward. Sartori has positioned herself for success in a number of different races, especially in the 200 fly, while Zambelli compliments Sartori in the 200 fly, giving the Tigers some major firepower there. – T.F. 

#14: Georgia Bulldogs — (Previous Rank: 14)

Kennedi Dobson didn’t swim the 500 at midseason but posted lifetime bests in the 200 and 1650 frees. They’ve really got the pieces for a good 800 free relay, which should be a huge improvement from 11th at 2025 NCAAs. -A.P.

#13. Ohio State Buckeyes -1 (Previous Rank: 12)

It’s definitely still a change of pace from a few years ago when it seemed the Buckeyes were led by sprinters. Mila Nikanorov was the top individual scorer last year and so far it looks like history will repeat this year. – A.P.

#12. USC Trojans -1 (Previous Rank: 11)

Minna Abraham and Claire Tuggle are giving USC plenty to celebrate. Abraham’s 1:40.47 200 free at the Texas Invite made her the second-fastest swimmer in the NCAA this season and seventh-fastest performer of all time, clipping her previous best of 1:40.56 from last year’s NCAAs, where she finished second behind Indiana senior Anna Peplowski. She trails only Virginia sophomore Anna Moesch (1:40.25) and is the Trojans’ top threat for an NCAA title. Tuggle, meanwhile, posted personal bests across all her primary events at the meet. The pair’s strong performances are bright spots for USC, though the Trojans could move towards the top 10 if a few more step up as scoring threats over the next few months. – S.G.

#11: Alabama Crimson Tide +5 (Previous Rank: 16)

The Netherlands’ Tessa Giele is a huge addition for Alabama, assuming she can translate her SCM success into SCY success quickly. – A.P.

#10: Florida Gators — (Previous Rank: 10)

Florida had a lot of graduations after last season, but their distance and breaststroke events are strong. They also will get a huge boost from their diving program that features some of the top divers in the NCAA. – M.F.

#9.Tennessee Volunteers -3 (Previous Rank: =6)

The team gets punished a bit in the Swimulator right now for not having an 800 free relay time. Despite that, the team’s biggest midseason addition is Mizuki Hirai who is sure to make an impact in the butterfly group. She is a great addition at midseason, but other team’s additions such as Giele at Alabama, Shackell at Indiana, and Gorbenko at Louisville I think will prove to be more versatile. Still, I think Tennessee has a top 10 finish in sight. – A.P. 

#8. NC State Wolfpack -3 (Previous Rank: 5)

Pelaez and Shackley are such a good sophomore duo. They don’t have any big names announced coming at midseason which is what moves them down in my vote. – A.P. 

#7. Louisville Cardinals +1 (Previous Rank: 8)

Anastasia Gorbenko is going to be a huge addition here to a team that already looks strong this season. – A.P.

#6. California Golden Bears -2 (Previous Rank: 4)

Cal famously does not taper for midseasons, and that seems to be the case again this year. Weinstein and O’Dell have been headliners, but Mia West is on fire and is poised to ‘A’ final in multiple events at NCAAs after not earning an invite last year. – M.F.

#5: Indiana Hoosiers +1 (Previous Rank: =6)

Indiana is “only” 7th in our mid-season scoring for NCAA Championships, but that’s just 11.5 points behind 5th-place Cal. Given that Alex Shackell will be joining the team for post-season action, and that diving isn’t accounted for in these rankings, they could be right on par with Michigan, who currently sits 116 points ahead. Her individual contributions, relay impact, and the addition of diving points should put the Hoosiers right in the thick of things for another top-four finish. – S.G. 

#4: Michigan Wolverines +4 — (Previous Rank: 8)

The Michigan women sit 4th in our mid-season scoring of the NCAA Championships with a comfortable 105-point cushion over fifth-place California. Cal doesn’t rest much for midseason, so they’re likely to close that gap, and Indiana has Alex Shackell plus big diving points not included in the rankings. Nonetheless, a top-six finish at the very least seems imminent for the Wolverines, and if they replicate the momentum from their exceptional midseason performances, top four is certainly attainable. – S.G.

#3: Texas Longhorns — (Previous Rank: 3)

Texas looked great at midseasons with Eva Okaro continuing to make her mark (further supported by a strong performance at SC Euros) and Jillian Cox reminding everyone who the reigning 500 and 1650 NCAA champion is. They were also missing Gemmell in full capacity, which will give them a boost when she returns. They have the depth and a strong diving program to challenge, Stanford and Virginia just seem so strong at this point. – M.F.

#2: Stanford Cardinal — (Previous Rank: 2)

You know that scene in Friends when Joey is eating the beef trifle and is saying good after each ingredient? That’s how the Stanford women’s team feels right now. Lucy Bell? Good. Caroline Bricker? Good. Torri Huske? GOOD. The Cardinal are deep and performing well. If anyone looks poised to challenge Virginia, it’s them. – M.F.

#1. Virginia Cavaliers — (Previous Rank: 1)

Virginia performed well at the CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge. Anna Moesch look good, Aimee Canny looked good, they just seem unstoppable for the moment. – A.P.

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