DETROIT -- The Wayne State University swimming & diving teams will begin the 2026 portion of the schedule this weekend against a pair of opponents in dual meet action.  First, the Warriors will travel to Grand Rapids, Mich., and square off with Division III Calvin University on Friday, January 9, beginning at 3 p.m. inside Venema Aquatic Center.  WSU will then cap off its back-to-back by coming back home to host fellow GLIAC opponent Grand Valley State on Saturday, January 10, beginning at 1 p.m. inside Matthaei Natatorium.

Both of the Green and Gold's opponents this weekend are ranked in their respective divisions, as well as genders.  The Knights are ranked 10th (men) and 14th (women) nationally according to the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America's (CSCAA) top 25.  Meanwhile, the Lakers appear in sixth for both genders for Division II.

This weekend's two contests begin a busy stretch for the Warriors.  Wayne State will battle in five dual meets (CU, GVSU, Findlay. Davenport, and Oakland) over the course of just over two weeks through January 24.

Coach's Corner
"Winter training was a resounding success, and at the conclusion of this segment of our season, we face highly ranked and regarded programs, said head coach Sean Peters.  On Friday we travel to Calvin, and their teams are perennially one of the top Division III programs in the country and always have a plethora of speed.  On Saturday, we welcome GVSU to Matthaei, and just when you think they can't possibly get any faster and deeper, they get faster and deeper.  Both programs are well-coached and it will be exciting to race two exceptional programs.  I love when the Warriors face tremendous competition, and that is exactly what is in store for us this weekend, and let's face it, for the rest of the season."

National Spotlight
The most recent edition of the CSCAA top 25 was released in December, with both Warrior squads receiving votes.  The WSU men are 14th in the nation with 100 total points, while the Green and Gold women collected eight total votes to appear just outside of the top 25 in 27th position.  The full rankings for Division II can be found HERE.

About Calvin
The Knights from Calvin University are once again led this season by Dan Gelderloos, who is now in his 29th season as head coach.  He has guided CU to 25 combined Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) titles (17 on the women's side and eight on the men's) and eight total top 10 national team finishes - including five for the women and three for the men.  Calvin's men's team has a 1-2 record in dual meets, with losses to Grand Valley State and Saginaw Valley State, plus a victory against Wheaton College (Ill.).  The women have the same 1-2 ledger with the same results as the men.

About Grand Valley State
Andy Boyce is the head coach of the Lakers in his 18th season with the program.  Since his promotion to head coach from assistant in 2007, Boyce has guided GVSU to a 118-27 dual meet record on the men's side, as well as a 124-1-39 mark on the women's side.  Grand Valley State has finished first in the GLIAC in both genders for each of the past three seasons (2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25).  The Laker men have not been topped in the conference as a team since the 2013-14 campaign, which is a string of 11 consecutive campaigns.  Saturday's meet will be the fourth dual meet for GVSU in 2025-26, as the Lakers have already faced Northern Michigan, Indianapolis, and, most recently, the University of Tampa on December 19.

Next Up
Following Saturday, Wayne State will next travel to Findlay for a showdown with the Oilers on Saturday, January 17.  Action is slated to begin at 1 p.m. inside Sink Natatorium.