BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (September 21, 2025) – The Northeast Conference (NEC) revealed its men's swimming & diving preseason polls where Howard University was projected to defend its championship. The announcement came Friday (Sept. 19).
 
HU was picked unanimously after winning last year's conference tile by the narrowest of margins (seven points).
 
Howard Director of Swimming & Diving Nicholas Askew and the Bison are chasing their third NEC title in four years. Since joining the league in 2022, HU has finished either as champion or runner-up.
 
This year's squad is led by graduate Zay Swilley (Bradley, Ill.), senior Taj Benton (Baltimore) and juniors Adam Diaz (Manhattan, N.Y.) and Mason Green (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.).
 
Last year's runner-up Wanger was picked second while LIU and Le Moyne finished third and fourth, respectively.
 
On the women's side, HU was picked second in the preseason poll behind three-time NEC Champion Central Connecticut State. Junior Chanice Posada (Houston) and two-time NEC Outstanding Swimmer senior Zuilda Nwaeze (Columbia, Md.) look to lead the Bison to their first conference title in program history.
 
HU opens its 2025-26 campaign at the annual Potomac Relays, hosted by American. First race starts at 1 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com and/or the NEC website at www.northeastconference.org.