BISMARCK, ND – The University of Mary swimming and diving team kicks off their 2026-27 season at home on homecoming week against the University of Jamestown on Friday, October 2, at 5 pm in the BSC Aquatic & Fitness Center. The Marauders then host their Alumni Meet on Saturday, October 3, at 10:30 AM.
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased at UMaryTickets.com. Tickets are $10 + fees ($11 total) per day for adults and $5 + fees ($6 total) for seniors and youth (ages 13-18).
MARAUDERS WEBCASTS STREAMED LIVE ON NSIC NETWORK POWERED BY MIDCO SPORTS NET
For the first time this season, all Northern Sun and Marauders home contests will stream live on the NSIC Network powered by Midco Sports Net. Games can be purchased individually for $10. To view all tournament games, consider purchasing a monthly subscription for $15 or an annual subscription for $79. Visit www.MidcoSportsPlus.com to subscribe today.
EVENT SCHEDULE
- 200 Med Relay
- 1650 Free
- 200 Free
- 100 Back
- 100 Breast
- 200 Fly
- 50 Free
- 1 Meter Diving
- 100 Free
- 200 Back
- 200 Breast
- 100 Fly
- 400 IM
- 400 Free Relay
STRONG NAMED ATHLETE TO WATCH
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference has named senior
Maria Strong the Athlete to Watch for UMary in the upcoming 2026-27 season. Strong placed top five in all three of her individual events at the 2026 NSIC Championships, earning the Marauders 46 team points. Her best performance came in the 100 fly, where she placed runner-up (56.80), finishing .04 seconds off the winner.
MARAUDERS PROJECTED TO FINISH 7
TH IN THE NSIC
The NSIC Swimming & Diving Preseason Coaches' Poll predicted the Marauders to take fifth in the conference. Last year, UMary took sixth place with 417 team points, a significant improvement from the previous season where UMary finished eighth with 227 points. UMary also completed its first-ever undefeated season in dual competitions last year.
RETURNERS
The Marauders have 18 returners, which include eight sophomores (
Olivia Gibbons,
Rebecca Carlson, Natalie Dehring,
Cora Mahler,
Emma Sheppard,
Becca Smith,
Grace Urke, and
Scarlett Wight), six juniors (
Gabrielle Evanson,
Felicity McCallen,
Amber Norgaard,
Sophie Pellegrino,
Lola Sheridan, and
Peyton Wunderlich), three seniors (Strong,
Elise Altringer, and
Brenna Newlan), and one fifth-year returner (Jordyn Wolsky).
Olivia Gibbons took home gold last season in the 200 Yard Breaststroke at the 2026 NSIC championships after she recorded a new school record time of 2:20.77. Gibbons was named NSIC Freshman of the Year.
NEW FACES
Head coach
Abby Loel adds seven freshmen for this season. The freshmen include
Haylee Beeler,
Avari Harmon,
Charlie Hull,
Charlie Kirton,
Ellie Nelson,
Sasha Rosko, and
Kseniia Teriagova. All seven will look to make an impact in their first collegiate season.
THE STAFF
Abby Loel returns for her fourth year in charge of the UMary program. Last season, she helped lead the Marauders to their first-ever undefeated season. She competed for UMary as a scholar-athlete from 2018-22.
Alex Lucy returns for his third year as the Marauders assistant coach.
Carly Borrman enters her second year on the staff as an assistant coach.
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