2026-27 Summit League Preseason Athlete's to Watch Graphic

USI Swim & Dive Picked Fourth, Fifth In Summit League Preseason Poll

Deputy, Smith, Uttke, and Whitley Named Athletes To Watch

9/24/2026 1:30:00 PM

By: Payton Buse, USI Athletic Communication

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Summit League released its 2026-27 Preseason Coaches' Poll and its Swimmers and Divers to Watch List on Thursday, projecting University of Southern Indiana Women's Swimming in a tie for fourth and University of Southern Indiana Men's Swimming to finish fifth. This year's field consists of six teams after the University of Denver's departure from the league.

Both USI squads are coming off sixth-place finishes at the 2026 Summit League Championships.

The Summit League also named four Screaming Eagles for its Swimmers and Divers to Watch List, nominated by the league's head coaches.

Senior Nathan Deputy was tabbed as USI's diver to watch on the men's side. Deputy finished the 2026 season as the program's record holder in the 3-meter dive (333.05), a mark that qualified him for the 2026 NCAA Zone C Championships. He also earned a spot on the 2026 All-Summit League team after medaling in the team diving event at last year's championships.

Senior Sam Smith returns as USI's swimmer to watch after a historic junior campaign. Smith captured the program's first-ever conference championship in the 200 butterfly, setting a school record in the process (1:47.77). He added five more school records during the season, including the 100 butterfly (48.59), and swam on the record-setting 200 freestyle, 400 freestyle, 800 freestyle, and 400 medley relays.

Senior Maranda Uttke was named USI's diver to watch on the women's side heading into 2026-27. Uttke is the Screaming Eagles' top returner in the 1-meter dive and sits second on the program's all-time leaderboard. Despite not competing at last year's Summit League Championships, she was named All-Summit League in 2025 after medaling in the team springboard event and qualifying for B-finals in the 1-meter at the 2025 championships.

Freshman Anna Whitley was selected as USI's swimmer to watch entering her first season as a Screaming Eagle. The Knoxville, Tennessee, native is a four-time Tennessee state qualifier who finished as high as seventh in the 100 freestyle as a senior. Whitley spent her summer competing for Tennessee Aquatics, closing her season at the USA Swimming Futures Championship in Knoxville.

The Screaming Eagles kick off their 2026-27 season this Saturday with the Red and Blue Intersquad Meet at 11 a.m. The first regular-season meet will take place October 9 at Valparaiso University. USI Swim & Dive returns home October 24 against the University of Evansville for Senior Day.

2026-27 Summit League Men's Swimming and Diving Preseason Coaches' Poll

South Dakota – 25 (5)
Omaha – 21 (1)
South Dakota State – 17
St. Thomas – 12
Southern Indiana – 10
Eastern Illinois – 5

2026-27 Summit League Women's Swimming and Diving Preseason Coaches' Poll

South Dakota – 25 (5)
Omaha – 21 (1)
St. Thomas – 15
T4. South Dakota State – 12
T4. Southern Indiana – 12
Eastern Illinois – 5

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USI Swim & Dive Picked Fourth, Fifth In Summit League Preseason Poll

Deputy, Smith, Uttke, and Whitley Named Athletes To Watch