EVANSVILLE, Ind.– University of Southern Indiana Women’s Swimming and Diving is predicted to finish sixth in the Summit League following a vote submitted by conference coaches. Screaming Eagles freshman diver Anna Bunnell and sophomore breaststroke and individual medley specialist Hayden Shurtz were named to the preseason watch conference watch list.
“The team understands what it takes to move up in our conference and what it takes to score,” says head coach Cameron Kainer. “We had those conversations after season two with the team on what we are looking to do now that we are going into season three.”
The University of Denver tops the conference in the preseason poll with 36 total votes and six first-place selections after repeating a 11th consecutive Summit League Championship. South Dakota University came in second with 31 votes and one first-place nod.
Rounding out the rest of the standings were South Dakota State University (26), University of Nebraska Omaha (24), St. Thomas University (12), USI (10), and Eastern Illinois University (7).
Shurtz is coming off a freshman season highlighted by a women’s Summit League Peak Swimmer of the Week honor in October and setting three individual school records in the 100-yard Breaststroke, 200-yard Breaststroke, and 200-yard Individual Medley.
Bunnell joins the Screaming Eagles from Evansville North High School where she lettered all four years. Bunnell earned first-team all-conference along with becoming a city, conference, and sectional champion.
“As a top five finalist in the Indiana High School State Meet, Anna will make a huge impact right away for our team,” says diving coach Andy Brown. “I am excited to see her use some of the big meet experience she has gained over the last year transition into her college career.”
The Eagles begin their 2024-25 campaign on October 5 in Indianapolis, Indiana competing against Indiana University Indianapolis and Northern Kentucky University. USI will make their home debut against Valparaiso on October 10 at the USI Aquatic Center.
