MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - Women's swimming has been selected to finish sixth in the Southern Athletic Association's Preseason Poll.
In his first year at the helm, head coach Zach Healy is confident that his mix of newly acquired young talent and experienced returners will catapult the Vikings into becoming contenders in the SAA.
Led by top six SAA finisher Lily Groves, the Vikings also have an abundance of talent that includes senior leaders like Kimberly Lila, Ella Quigley, and Ashley Young.
The poll was voted on by the conference's seven head coaches.
2025-26 SAA Women's Swimming & Diving Preseason Poll
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Trinity – 48 (6)
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Centre – 40 (1)
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Rhodes – 39
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Southwestern – 32
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Sewanee – 29
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Berry – 25
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Millsaps – 18
Trinity returns a championship-tested roster highlighted by multiple All-Americans. Julia Carter, a CSCAA All-American and four-time SCAC Champion, headlines the group alongside Amy Benson, who earned SCAC Swimmer of the Meet and Swimmer of the Year honors as a sophomore. Already a five-time All-American, Benson has collected 15 SCAC Championship medals across eight events.
The Tigers also feature Audrey Jacobson, a four-time CSCAA All-American with numerous SCAC titles, and senior Neely Burns, the 2023 NCAA National Champion in the 400 IM. Burns is an 11-time All-American and former SCAC Swimmer of the Year. Trinity captured its 22nd straight SCAC Championship last season and reached as high as No. 17 in the national rankings.
Centre enters the season as the defending SAA Champion after capturing its first conference title since 2013 and just the second in program history. The Colonels return a strong young performer in Cate Coartney as the SAA Newcomer of the Year.
The 2026 SAA Swimming and Diving Championship is set for February 11–14 at Champions Hall in Danville, Kentucky.
