Swimming & Diving
Coming off a fifth-place finish at the 2025-26 NSIC Championships with 432 points, Golden Bear Swimming & Diving enters the 2026-27 season looking to continue its upward trajectory under Head Coach Rachel Busch. Picked sixth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, CSP has its sights set on a top-four conference finish, which would mark the highest finish in program history. The Golden Bears return 17 swimmers and welcome seven newcomers, led by captains Marianna Perna and Sierra Sherry. Freshman Alejandra Lira was named the team’s Swimmer to Watch after an impressive international career competing at the state and national levels in Mexico, while junior diver Chloe Jones earned Diver to Watch recognition after recording 17 top-10 finishes last season and earning NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honors. The newcomers have already made an immediate impact, with freshman Estee VerSteeg winning three individual events in her collegiate debut against MSU Moorhead. Lira has also made her mark, winning the 400-yard individual medley and tying a school record in the 200-yard butterfly. Freshman Lara Elwan added another milestone by setting a school record in the 100-yard butterfly with a first-place finish against Minnesota State and St. Thomas. With a strong foundation of experienced leadership, emerging talent and a team-first culture, the Golden Bears will look to build momentum throughout the season and make a push for their best conference finish yet.
Women’s Basketball
After capturing its second consecutive NSIC Tournament Championship and earning back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, Golden Bear Women’s Basketball enters the 2026-27 season with high expectations and its sights set on another postseason run. Head Coach Amanda Johnson’s squad was picked second in the NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll and 15th in the WBCA NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25 after finishing last season 26-7, including a program-record-tying 18-game winning streak and a trip to the NCAA Central Region Championship game. Leading the way is fifth-year forward Lauren Wilson, who was named NSIC Preseason South Division Player of the Year after earning All-NSIC First Team and D2CCA All-Central Region Second Team honors. Wilson averaged 16.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game last season, led the NSIC with 288 rebounds, recorded nine double-doubles and surpassed 1,000 career points. The Golden Bears also return an experienced core featuring Ashley Schuelke, Emma Mommsen and Avery Moeller, while a talented group of newcomers adds depth and versatility. That combination has already shown promise in the preseason, with CSP opening exhibition play with dominant victories over Hamline (95-46) and Augsburg (89-41). All 12 Golden Bears scored against Augsburg, while four players reached double figures, highlighting the team’s depth and balanced offensive attack. With experience, chemistry and a winning tradition on their side, the Golden Bears will look to defend their conference title, compete for another NCAA Tournament berth and continue establishing themselves among the top programs in Division II.
Men’s Basketball
Golden Bear Men’s Basketball enters the 2026-27 season with renewed depth, experience and expectations as Head Coach Matt Fletcher begins his seventh season at the helm. Following a 19-win campaign, CSP was picked fifth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll and returns 14 players while adding five newcomers to a roster featuring 18 Minnesota natives. Senior guard Owen Carlson headlines the returning group after being named the team’s Player to Watch. Carlson averaged 13.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game last season while shooting 46% from three-point range, the second-best mark in the conference, and is expected to take on an expanded leadership role. The Golden Bears also return key contributors in fifth-year forward Jaden Wysocki, senior forward Chet Kloss, and guards Hudson Vaith and Ryan Johnson, while several emerging sophomores provide additional scoring potential. The incoming class features three transfers and two freshmen, including forward Brandon Hrncir, who brings valuable NSIC experience, and Nick Burke, a former 1,000-point scorer at Bethel. The newcomers have already begun making an impact, with Hrncir leading CSP with 19 points in his Golden Bear debut against Minnesota Duluth, while Johnson added 17 points. Despite a narrow 80-75 season-opening loss, the Golden Bears demonstrated their ability to compete, holding a 13-point second-half lead against one of the league’s top programs. With increased size, athleticism and depth, Fletcher believes this group has the potential to compete every night and make a push up the NSIC standings in what promises to be another highly competitive conference season.
