Eastern Illinois was picked to finish sixth in the men's and women's Summit League preseason poll, the league announced on Thursday. 

On the men's side, South Dakota earned the top spot in the preseason poll with 25 points, including five first-place votes. Omaha received the remaining first-place vote and was selected second with 21 points. South Dakota State followed in third with 17 points, while Southern Indiana finished fourth with 10 points. Eastern Illinois rounded out the poll in sixth place with five points.  

On the women's side, South Dakota and Omaha mirrored the men's poll at the top, with South Dakota earning first place with 25 points, including five of the six first-place votes. Omaha received the remaining first-place vote and finished second with 21 points. St. Thomas was selected third with 15 points, while South Dakota State and Southern Indiana tied for fourth with 12 points each. Eastern Illinois rounded out the preseason poll in sixth place with five points. 

Last year, EIU finished 7th in both the men's and women's at the Summit League Championship.  

Eastern Illinois Swimmer's to Watch 
Eddie Myers was named a swimmer to watch for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. The junior competes in freestyle and butterfly. Myers competed in eight meets last season, swimming a personal record in the 200 Free (1:41.28) and 500 Free (4:37.00) at the Summit League championship, which ranks 4th fastest at EIU. He swam the 7th fastest 1000 free time in school history at 9:52.06.  

Sydney VanderVelde was named to the women's swimmers to watch for the upcoming season. VanderVelde competes in breaststroke and freestyle. The senior competed in nine meets last season, setting three EIU top ten marks in the 200 IM, 100 IM, and 200 Free. She swam the 200 IM at the Summit League championship with a time of 2:07.81, which ranked second on the EIU top ten lists. VanderVelde also swam the 200 free at the championship, finishing with a time of 1:54.50, ranking fourth fastest in EIU history.  

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

1. South Dakota (5) 25 

2. Omaha (1) 21 

3. South Dakota St 17 

4. St. Thomas 12 

5. Southern Indiana 10 

6. Eastern Illinois 5 

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

1. South Dakota (5) 25 

2. Omaha (1) 21 

3. St. Thomas 15 

T4. South Dakota St 12 

T4. Southern Indiana 12 

6. Eastern Illinois 5