Michigan
CSL Match #1
Michigan to Begin New Season with Two-Meet Week
9/22/2026 5:37:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan women's swimming and diving team (0-0) will open the 2026-27 season on Thursday (Sept. 24) at the inaugural College Swimming League (CSL) meet at FMC Natatorium in Westmont, Ill. Competition begins at 5:30 p.m. CT, and the meet will be streamed live on ESPN+. The Wolverines will return to Ann Arbor on Friday (Sept. 25) to host the TEAM BE BETTER; Invitational at 3 p.m. at Canham Natatorium, streamed on B1G+.
Notes
• U-M enters the season ranked No. 6 nationally by the CSCAA and returns 17 members from last season's roster while welcoming 13 newcomers.
• Senior Bella Sims was named a Big Ten Swimmer to Watch on Tuesday (Sept. 22). Last season, she was a five-time Big Ten champion, earned All-Big Ten first-team honors, and was named Big Ten Swimmer of the Championships. A seven-time All-American, Sims also captured the NCAA title in the 400-yard individual medley.
• Reigning Big Ten champions Hannah Bellard, Leila Fack and Stephanie Balduccini also return for the Wolverines after strong performances at last season's NCAA Championships.
• Michigan will compete in the inaugural season of the College Swimming League and will bring 14 swimmers to Match One. The Wolverines are one of 12 teams competing in the league, with Thursday's matchup also featuring Louisville, Indiana and Ohio State.
• Michigan welcomes six freshmen: Gioia Balzano, Miyaka Chang, Ridley Hagerman, Hazel Huilman, Gilaine Ma and McKinley Scobie will make their collegiate debuts, and seven transfers in Haley McDonald (Texas), Kamryn Meskill (North Carolina), Nina Schwab (Carleton College), Rebecca Ciancaglini (California), Mia Henninger (Missouri), Julia Stronjnowska (Auburn) and Charlotte Martinkus (Princeton) who are beginning their careers wearing maize and blue.
• Martinkus, a graduate transfer and four-time Ivy League champion and NCAA Championships qualifier, begins her first season at Michigan as a Big Ten Diver to Watch.
• Matt Bowe enters his fourth season at the helm of the Michigan swimming and diving program. He is joined by Gunnar Schmidt, who was promoted to associate head coach.
• Friday's TEAM BE BETTER; Invitational will feature Michigan, Calvin and Hope competing in traditional and non-traditional events in a non-scoring format. The annual event honors the memory of former Michigan swimmer Ian Miskelley.
• Following its opening weekend, Michigan will host Pittsburgh in a dual meet on Friday, Oct. 9, at Canham Natatorium.
