BURNSVILLE, Minn. -- The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) has announced its preseason coaches' poll for women's swimming & diving. Minnesota State Moorhead was selected to finish seventh in the rankings while sophomore
Kennedy Olson and junior
Fernanda Leon were noted as MSUM's 'athletes to watch'.
Moorhead earned the number seven position in the rankings behind 34 total points. Minnesota State topped the poll with 81 points and nine first-place votes while St. Cloud State collected the remaining top nod. The Dragons finished seventh at last season's NSIC Swimming & Diving Championships behind 364 team points.
"What excites us most about this year's team are the people. We have a large incoming class led by great leaders," said head coach
Charlie King, who enters his ninth season at the helm in 2026-27. "Everyone has been connecting and working hard. Practices have been fun to be around and the energy has been the best. We look forward to seeing some added depth this year."
Olson, a sophomore from Bemidji, Minn., was named Moorhead's 'Preseason Diver to Watch' following a strong debut campaign in 2025-26. Olson competed in all 10 meets for the Dragons on both the 1-meter and 3-meter boards. She finished 13th in 3-meter action at the NSIC Championships with a score of 345.70 and also placed 12th in 1-meter competition behind a score of 341.20. In total, Olson had 13 top-five finishes during the season, earning her first collegiate victory in 1-meter competition against both Jamestown and Southwest Minnesota State on November 11, 2025. She had a top 11-dive score in 1-meter at the Dragon Invite, marking a 342.70.
"Kenna has been working extremely hard and pushing beyond her abilities," said King of the sophomore. "We look forward to her stepping up and contributing to our team."
Leon returns for her junior season following another strong sophomore campaign for the Dragons. Leon had 24 top-five showings during the season and did not finish below fifth in any event she competed in during the regular season. The Lima, Peru, native had 15 event victories throughout the regular season as well. Leon fnished fourth in the 200-yard fly at the NSIC Championships, narrowly missing all-conference honors with a finals time of 2:07.75. She also placed seventh in the 400-yard IM at the conference meet, logging a finishing time of 4:37.57. Leon set season best times in the 400-yard IM (4:32.21), 200-yard IM (2:08.69) and the 200-yard fly (2:06.56) at the Rochester Invitational. She was twice named NSIC Swimmer of the Week a season ago as well.
"Fernanda is a fantastic all around swimmer. Each year she gets stronger and more consistent," said King of Leon. "With her added confidence, we look forward to her placing high in the fly, and IM events."
The Dragons open the 2026-27 season next weekend on the road. Moorhead travels to Mendota Heights, Minn., for 1 p.m. dual versus Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday, October 3.
