GREENVILLE, S.C. – Following a successful 2025-26 season that saw the UNC Pembroke swim team win its third-consecutive Conference Carolinas championship, the Braves have been picked third in the Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches Poll.
 
Coming off an 11th place finish at the NCAA Championships, Wingate picked up seven first-place votes and 105 points sit atop the poll, while Catawba earned two first-place votes and 80 points to slot in at second. UNC Pembroke picked up one first-place vote and 73 points to settle in at third, while Carson-Newman earned 72 points to take fourth. Emmanuel and Lenoir-Rhyne each tallied 62 points to round out the top five. 

Five schools, Catawba College, Carson-Newman University, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Mars Hill University, and Wingate University, are new to Conference Carolinas this year as associate members in men's and women's swimming.
 
Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own teams. 
 
The Braves will kick off the 2026-27 season on October 9 & 10 as they take part in the Osprey Invite. The event is being hosted by North Florida at the UNF Competition Pool Complex in Jacksonville, Fla.