GRINNELL, Iowa – The Illinois College men's swimming team was picked to finish sixth in the annual Midwest Conference men's swimming & diving 2026-27 preseason coaches' poll, the league announced today.
The Blueboys collected 37 points to earn the sixth-place slot in the poll. IC, which finished fifth at the MWC Championships a year ago, returns all-conference honoree senior
John Masiliunas along with classmate
Gavin Rasmussen, who will look to lead a young squad.
Grinnell earned 80 points to secure the top spot in the preseason poll. The Pioneers enter the season as the defending MWC champions, having captured the league title in each of the past 10 seasons.
Milwaukee School of Engineering (71 points) finished second in the poll, while Midwest Conference newcomer Luther College (60 points) followed in third with one first-place vote. Lake Forest (56 points) and St. Norbert (55 points) rounded out the top half of the poll.
IC (37 points), Monmouth (34 points), Beloit (29 points), Lawrence (16 points) and Ripon (12 points) rounded out the voting.
The 2026-27 season will conclude at the 2027 MWC Swimming & Diving Championships hosted by Grinnell on Thursday, February 18, through Sunday, February 21.
2026-27 MWC Men's Swimming & Diving Preseason Coaches' Poll Results
1. Grinnell College (8) - 80 points
2. Milwaukee School of Engineering (1) - 71 points
3. Luther College (1) - 60 points
4. Lake Forest College - 56 points
5. St. Norbert College - 55 points
6. Illinois College - 37 points
7. Monmouth College - 34 points
8. Beloit College - 29 points
9. Lawrence University - 16 points
10. Ripon College - 12 points
() = first-place votes
