Milwaukee City Wire

The Milwaukee Panthers Swimming & Diving teams are set to begin their 2025-26 season with a meet at IU Indy on Friday. The event, which includes Horizon League rivals Cleveland State, Green Bay, and host IU Indy, will be the earliest competition in the program’s history. The previous earliest start was on October 1, 2004.

The women’s team enters the season projected to finish second in the Horizon League according to the preseason poll, receiving 41 votes. Last year, they placed second at the Horizon League Championships. Head coach Kyle Clements received his fourth Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year award for his leadership last season.

The Panthers' women’s roster features three returning All-Conference athletes. Gabrielle LePine earned All-League First Team honors and was named Swimmer of the Week four times as a sophomore. Maddi Hayashi and Mara Freeman were both recognized as All-League Second Team selections last season.

On the men’s side, Milwaukee is ranked third in the Horizon League preseason poll with 30 votes and one first-place vote. At last year’s championship meet, they finished fourth—marking their best league championship result since 2015.

Key returners for the men include Gunnar Seversen, who was named Newcomer of the Year after his performance at last year’s conference championships. Caleb Carlisle also returns and is expected to play a significant role this season.