BOSTON -- The defending America East champion UMBC Men's Swimming & Diving program was tabbed as the preseason favorite in a poll released by the Conference on Wednesday. The Retrievers received the maximum four possible first place votes as coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team.
The Retrievers will kick-off their season on Saturday afternoon when they host their annual Black & Gold/Alumni Meet at 1 p.m.
In February, the Dawgs completed a dominating four days by winning the America East Swimming & Diving Championship with 805.5, 57.5 points ahead of two-time defending champions Binghamton. The title was Retrievers 15th in 20 seasons of America East competition, and first since 2023. The two year drought was UMBC's longest without a title since joining the Conference in 2004.
Braden Weise won two more gold medals and was named the meet's Most Outstanding Rookie, while the coaching staff led by
Matt Donovan was named the Most Outstanding Coaching Staff.
On the Women's side, UMBC was picked fourth with 13 points. At the 2026 Championships, UMBC finished fourth with 446 points.
Ashley Gutshall punched her ticket to the NCAA Championships in 50 Meter and
Ember Stennett earned the fifth medal of her illustrious career last season.
Gutshall set a UMBC/America East/Meet record with a time of 22.25 in winning gold in the 50, with
Erma Duratovic taking bronze in 23.14. The two would then team up with
Claire Oettinger and
Evie Grim to earn bronze in the 200 Free Relay in a time of 1:32.82.
Men's #AESD Preseason Poll
1. UMBC 16 (4)
2. Binghamton 13 (1)
3. Bryant 10
4. NJIT 7
5. Maine 4
Women's #AESD Preseason Poll
1. New Hampshire 22 (2)
2. Bryant 21 (3)
3. Vermont 18 (1)
4. UMBC 13
5. Binghamton 9
6. Maine 7
