Saginaw, MI – Alma College Swimming and Diving opened their 2025-26 season on Friday night at Division II opponent Saginaw Valley State University. The Cardinals finished ranked 24^th in Division II by Swimcloud.com at the end of the 2024-25 season. In a night with a number of positives, the Scots were defeated by scores of 170-63 on the women's side, and 188-45 on the men's side.

Brent Riehl was one of the headliners for Alma. The senior set a Scots record, with the fastest recorded 50 breaststroke in program history at 27.33. The previous record was held by Andrew Smith, set in 2020. Riehl recorded a pair of 2^nd place finishes, in the 100 breast, and 50 free. Noah Newman collected a personal best in the 50 freestyle, as did Connor Karow. Cody Benovsky registered a PR in the 200 IM. Nolan Kaiser's 100 fly time was also a personal best, as was Brett Gaff's 100 backstroke time. 

Riehl was the top individual point scorer for the Scots with eight, followed by Eli Mull with six.

On the women's side, Alma was led by Grace Ludema, who won the 100 freestyle. Laney Voisinet, Emma Hoy, and Sarah Rabbideau all swam PBs in the 200 freestyle. Hoy also had her personal best in the 100 freestyle. Sierra Scott's PR in the 100 fly made her the top finisher, and Rabbideau led the Scots efforts in the 100 breast with a lifetime best as well.

Alma also returned to the diving scene for the first time since 2019 on Friday night. Abby Dumond took 2^nd in the one-meter six dive, and Maddie McGuire placed 3^rd. Dumond also took part in the three-meter six dive, missing out on the win by just 10 points.

Ludema led Alma's point scorers with 13 individual points, followed by Dumond with eight, and Sofia Floros with six.

The Scots will have two weeks until they take part in the MIAA relays.