As the New Year approaches, many are eager to see how college swimming action unfolds in early 2026 after a busy 2025 meet calendar. But here's where it gets interesting—despite the new year's initial excitement, this week features relatively light dual meet competition, making it a perfect time to catch up on rankings and upcoming events.
The college swimming scene doesn't pause, though; some key meets are on the horizon, and fans can stay informed with SwimSwam's latest power rankings following the 2025-26 NCAA invite season. Whether you're interested in the women's or men's rankings, these lists provide insight into which teams and athletes are currently leading the pack:
Please note that these rankings are compiled by SwimSwam staff based on data gathered from various websites. As meet schedules can sometimes change or conflict—some schools list different dates for the same meet—it's always good to check the latest updates directly from the teams or meet organizers.
Here's a quick overview of this week's scheduled competitions:
| Meet | Date | Men’s Participation | Women’s Participation |
|-------|-------|---------------------|-----------------------|
| FIU Sprint Invite | January 3 | Yes | Yes |
| San Diego Invitational | December 30 – January 5 | Yes | Yes |
| BYU vs. Hawaii vs. SMU | January 3 | Yes | Yes |
| TCU vs. Trinity | January 3 | Yes | Yes |
| Tennessee Diving Invite (LSU, Alabama) | January 2-4 | Yes | Yes |
| FAU Diving Invite | January 3-4 | Yes | Yes |
| Minnesota vs. Tampa vs. Notre Dame | January 3 | Yes | Yes |
| South Carolina vs. Queens (Swim only) | January 3 | Yes | Yes |
| Arizona State vs. Grand Canyon | January 3 | Yes | Yes |
| Virginia Tech vs. Queens | January 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Miami FL vs. Notre Dame | January 3 | Yes | |
| San Diego vs. Wisconsin vs. UCLA vs. UCSD | January 3 | Yes | Yes |
| Towson vs. Navy | January 3 | Yes | |
| SMU vs. Oklahoma Christian | January 2-3 | Yes | |
| FGCU vs. Delaware | December 31 | Yes | |
| St. Thomas (MN) vs. South Dakota | January 2-3 | Yes | Yes |
| Denver vs. Colorado School of Mines | January 2 | Yes | Yes |
| San Diego State vs. Vanderbilt vs. San Diego | January 2 | Yes | |
Getting to Know the Team and Personalities: Anya Pelshaw
Anya Pelshaw has been a dedicated member of the SwimSwam team since June 2021, serving both as a writer and social media specialist. She has provided coverage for multiple NCAA Championships from 2022 through 2025, alongside appearances at the 2023 US Summer Nationals and the 2024 European competitions. Her insights and reports help fans and followers stay connected with the evolving world of college swimming and diving.
If you're curious to learn more about her contributions or follow her ongoing coverage, you can read her full bio here. Perhaps her unique perspective will offer you a new appreciation or understanding of this dynamic sport.
