EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The 2025-26 campaign begins on Saturday when the University of Evansville swimming and diving teams travel to McKendree for a 1:30 p.m. meet.
 
Both Purple Aces squads have a solid mix of returning experience to go along with talented newcomers. The men return 13 from last season while adding 10 to the team. Highlighting the returners are juniors Joseph Capo and Joao Pereira. Capo has established himself as one of the top freestyle competitors in program history and ranks in the top 10 in four events. He holds the 3^rd-best time in both the 1000 and 1650 freestyle races. Pereira has excelled in breaststroke events. He holds the 4^th-fastest time in the UE record books in the 200 and ranks 10^th in the 100.
 
Evansville's women return 11 from the 2024-25 campaign to go along with eight newcomers. Juniors Rafaela Makariewicz and Rebecca Lago have made their marks on the program record book in just two seasons. Makariewicz holds the 4^th-fastest time in the 100-breaststroke while ranking 9^th in the 200. Lago holds the No. 6 time in the 100-free while ranking 10^th in the 50-free.
 
McKendree is one of the top schools at the Division II level. Last season the Bearcats men's squad took third place at the NCAA DII National Championship, its best finish in program history. The women earned a top-20 finish at the National Championships, taking 17^th.