CARMEL, Ind. – The Fightin' Engineers have been selected to finish second in the HCAC Preseason Poll. Rose-Hulman secured 13 points as a team, while hauling in one first place vote.
 
Reigning HCAC Champions Franklin finished as the unanimous favorites as they recorded all 16 points and all four first place votes they were eligible for. Transylvania finished just behind Rose-Hulman as they recorded ten points to rank third in the poll.
 
Head Coach Keith Crawford returns for his 19th season leading the Fightin' Engineers. Throughout his tenure he has recorded three second place finishes in the HCAC Tournament, which came in the 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2025-26 seasons.
 
Rose-Hulman is led by the return of five-time HCAC Individual Champion in senior Catherine Bath. During the 2025-26 HCAC Championships, Bath achieved two first place finishes which came in the 500 freestyle (5:10.60) and 1,650 freestyle (18:00.83). She added a second place finishes in the 200 freestyle (1:57.91), as well as the 400 freestyle relay (3:41.37), and 800 freestyle relay (8:03.53) alongside teammates, junior Avery Witt, and sophomores Janey Leiker and Lilian Mahonski.
 
Witt and Leiker also thrived in their individual events at the HCAC Championships. Witt recorded a third place finish in the 200 backstroke (2:09.70) and Leiker placed third overall in the 100 freestyle (55.06). Junior Ritu Bharamaraddi also achieved a third place finish, which came in the 100 backstroke (59.63).
 
The Fightin' Engineers opened the season with a third place finish at the Indiana DIII Championships, earning 450 points as a team. Freshman Allison Buroker made an immediate impact for the team, as she placed first in the 100 yard breaststroke (1:09.35) and third in the 50 yard freestyle (25.10).
 
Rose-Hulman are set to compete in the Illinois Wesleyan Invitational on Saturday, October 31 at 2 PM ET (1 PM CT).
 
HCAC PRESEASON POLL RESULTS:
1. Franklin – 16 (4)
2. Rose-Hulman – 13 (1)
3. Transylvania – 10
4. Anderson – 7
5. Manchester – 4