LANCASTER, PA – Johns Hopkins is the preseason favorite in the Centennial Conference in its first year in the league. In a preseason vote of the conference's head coaches, the Blue Jays earned seven first-place votes and 49 points.
 
Swarthmore earned the other first-place vote and 43 points to take second in the poll. Gettysburg (37 points), Franklin & Marshall (30 points) and Dickinson (24) round out the top-five. Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own team.
 
Hopkins finished last season with a 7-3 record in dual meets and placed 14^th at the 2025 NCAA Championships. Ten Blue Jays combined to earn 24 All-America honors at last year's championship. Eight of the 10 All-Americans are back this season. 
 
Hopkins will open the season on Saturday, October 25 at Gettysburg in a Centennial Conference quad. In addition to Gettysburg, JHU will compete against McDaniel and Washington College. The meet is scheduled for a 12:00 pm start.
 
2025-26 Centennial Conference Preseason Poll
1. Swarthmore (6) – 62 points
2. Johns Hopkins (3) – 58 points
3. Gettysburg – 51 points
4. Franklin & Marshall – 43 points
5. Dickinson – 35 points
6. Ursinus – 29 points
7. Washington College – 23 points
8. Bryn Mawr – 14 points
9. McDaniel – 9 points