VERMILLION, S.D. — The South Dakota men's and women's swimming and diving teams were both selected second in the Summit League preseason poll, voted on by the conference's head coaches. 
 
The USD men received 30 points in the poll with one first place vote. Ahead of them is Denver who received six first place votes with 36 total. 
 
Sophomore Nick Rounds and Freshman Maddox Mork were selected as the male athletes to watch for this swim and dive season. Rounds competed in seven events last season at the Summit League championships securing five top eight finishes and had seven individual race victories on the season. He also sits within the top ten in school history in five different events including his school record in the 50 free (22.98). In the first meet of this season he won the 50 free and was a part of two first place relay teams. 
 
Mork  was a section champion during his time at Prior Lake High school and had a fifth place finish at state, as well as being selected as a 2023-2024 All-American. He also was second in school history in 6 dives and third in 11 dives. In week one of this season he won both the one meter and three meter diving events. 
 
The Coyote women received 31 points in the poll with one first place vote. Denver also leads the women's poll with 36 votes. 
 
The female athletes to watch for the season are junior Gabby Ahrendt and freshman Kate Woefel. Ahrendt had 12 individual victories on the year and placed top 10 in 25 events. To open this season, she had two individual first place finishes (200 free and 200 IM) and was a part of the winning 400 yard relay team. 
 
Woefel was a six-time varsity letter winner at her high school and a three time state diving finalist in Class AA of Minnesota. She was a five-time all-conference diver in the Northwest Suburban Conference and a three-time champion. In her first meet as a Coyote, Woefel was third in both the one meter and three meter dives. 
 
 
Men's S&D Poll

1. Denver (6) | 36
2. South Dakota (1) | 30
3. South Dakota State | 26
4. Omaha | 22
5. St. Thomas | 16
6. Southern Indiana | 10
7. Eastern Illinois | 7

 
Women's S&D Poll

1. Denver (6) | 36
2. South Dakota (1) | 31
3. Omaha | 24
4. St. Thomas | 19
5. South Dakota State | 18
6. Southern Indiana | 12
7. Eastern Illinois | 7