The Youngstown State women's swimming and diving team was slated in a tie for fourth, while the men's squad was picked fifth in the Under Armour #HLSD Preseason Poll, the Horizon League announced Thursday.

The YSU women earned 26 points, placing them in a tie for fourth place in the preseason rankings with IU Indianapolis. The women are coming off a fourth-place finish at last season's Horizon League Championships. The fourth-place finish tied for the best finish in program history, while their 483 points as a team at last year's conference championships rank as the most in program history.

Oakland, the reigning champion, was slated first with 49 points and received all seven first-place votes. Milwaukee was picked to finish second with 41 points, while Cleveland State rounded out the top three closely behind with 32 points. After Youngstown State and IU Indianapolis, Green Bay was slated sixth, receiving 14 points, while Northern Kentucky was picked seventh with eight points.

2025-26 Under Armour #HLWSD Preseason Poll
     Pl.        Team – Pts. (First-place votes)

1. Oakland (7) – 49 

2. Milwaukee – 41 

3. Cleveland State – 32

T4. IU Indianapolis – 26

T4. Youngstown State – 26 

6. Green Bay – 14 

7. Northern Kentucky – 8

In the men's fifth-place preseason ranking, they received 27 points. The YSU men finished fifth in the team standings at the 2024-25 HL Championships, amassing 410 total points.

Oakland was slated to win the league with 47 points as they received five of the seven first-place votes. IU Indianapolis was picked second with 41 points, receiving one first-place vote, while Cleveland State and Milwaukee were slated in a tie for third, each receiving 30 points, with the Panthers also garnering the other first-place vote. Green Bay was picked sixth with 13 points, while Northern Kentucky rounded out the poll in seventh place, receiving eight points.

2025-26 Under Armour #HLMSD Preseason Poll
     Pl.        Team – Pts. (First-place votes)

1. Oakland (5) – 47

2. IU Indianapolis (1) – 41

T3. Cleveland State – 30 

T3. Milwaukee (1) – 30 

5. Youngstown State – 27

6. Green Bay – 13

7. Northern Kentucky – 8 

The Penguins open the season on Oct. 3 as they host the preseason favorites, Oakland, at the Beeghly Natatorium.

For news and updates throughout the 2025-26 season, follow @YSUSwimDive on X.