Marquette University Athletics
Friday, October 2
Iowa City, IA
3 P.M. CT
Marquette University
at
Iowa
Women's Swimming Set For Inaugural Season
9/29/2026 2:47:00 PM | Women's Swimming
The Golden Eagles are ready to make history in program's first-ever women's swimming season
The 2026-27 campaign marks the inaugural season of Marquette women's swimming, which becomes the university's 18th varsity program with its first official meet this week.
The Golden Eagles open the year on Friday, Oct. 2, when they travel to Iowa to compete against the Hawkeyes at 3 p.m. CT in dual competition.
Marquette will host its first-ever home meet on Friday, Oct. 9 when the team welcomes Northern Iowa to the Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility at 4 p.m. CT.
Marquette is led by head coach Joel Rollings and assistant coach Megan Hartlieb. Rollings was named Marquette's first head women's swimming coach on Sept. 15, 2025.
Prior to joining Marquette, Rollings served as the head coach at Milwaukee School of Engineering, where he oversaw the establishment of both the men's and women's swimming programs. Shortly after arriving at Marquette, Rollings added Hartlieb to his staff as an assistant coach in January 2026.
Hartlieb brings Division I experience to the Golden Eagles, having competed collegiately at the University of Kentucky before completing her career at Iowa (2023-25).
The Marquette women's swimming team consists of 21 student-athletes this season, including five transfers, but the roster could expand to as many as xx in the future. The group enters the program's inaugural season with excitement about making history and becoming part of Marquette and the greater Milwaukee community.
"They seem to know each other far better than anything else," Rollings said. "We brought them in for the first day of orientation, and they met each other for the first time, and through the practicing, it's felt like they've known each other for years. They share the same core values, energy, and the commitment to being part of Marquette."
Despite being a brand-new program, the Golden Eagles have quickly developed a strong sense of togetherness and team pride. Rollings credits the team's chemistry to the shared values and the connection the swimmers have organically built amongst one another.
As the student-athletes prepare to make history with the inaugural season, the Golden Eagles are embracing the opportunity to build the foundation of a program that will represent the athletic and academic culture of the Marquette family.
"They're so intelligent, they're so well-spoken, and are really dedicated to the community," Rollings said.
The program will compete in the BIG EAST Conference Championships but will not feature a diving program. Nearly 200 NCAA Division I institutions (over 5,000 student-athletes) sponsor women's swimming, including fellow league members Butler, UConn, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall, Villanova and Xavier.
The team will train and compete in the recently renovated Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility (opened in January 2025). The building features a six-lane, 25-yard pool, seating for nearly 150 spectators, a dedicated team locker room and office for the two-member coaching staff.
The facility will have the ability to host dual competitions, but any larger meets would take place off campus.
The Golden Eagles open the year on Friday, Oct. 2, when they travel to Iowa to compete against the Hawkeyes at 3 p.m. CT in dual competition.
Marquette will host its first-ever home meet on Friday, Oct. 9 when the team welcomes Northern Iowa to the Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility at 4 p.m. CT.
Marquette is led by head coach Joel Rollings and assistant coach Megan Hartlieb. Rollings was named Marquette's first head women's swimming coach on Sept. 15, 2025.
Prior to joining Marquette, Rollings served as the head coach at Milwaukee School of Engineering, where he oversaw the establishment of both the men's and women's swimming programs. Shortly after arriving at Marquette, Rollings added Hartlieb to his staff as an assistant coach in January 2026.
Hartlieb brings Division I experience to the Golden Eagles, having competed collegiately at the University of Kentucky before completing her career at Iowa (2023-25).
The Marquette women's swimming team consists of 21 student-athletes this season, including five transfers, but the roster could expand to as many as xx in the future. The group enters the program's inaugural season with excitement about making history and becoming part of Marquette and the greater Milwaukee community.
"They seem to know each other far better than anything else," Rollings said. "We brought them in for the first day of orientation, and they met each other for the first time, and through the practicing, it's felt like they've known each other for years. They share the same core values, energy, and the commitment to being part of Marquette."
Despite being a brand-new program, the Golden Eagles have quickly developed a strong sense of togetherness and team pride. Rollings credits the team's chemistry to the shared values and the connection the swimmers have organically built amongst one another.
As the student-athletes prepare to make history with the inaugural season, the Golden Eagles are embracing the opportunity to build the foundation of a program that will represent the athletic and academic culture of the Marquette family.
"They're so intelligent, they're so well-spoken, and are really dedicated to the community," Rollings said.
The program will compete in the BIG EAST Conference Championships but will not feature a diving program. Nearly 200 NCAA Division I institutions (over 5,000 student-athletes) sponsor women's swimming, including fellow league members Butler, UConn, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall, Villanova and Xavier.
The team will train and compete in the recently renovated Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility (opened in January 2025). The building features a six-lane, 25-yard pool, seating for nearly 150 spectators, a dedicated team locker room and office for the two-member coaching staff.
The facility will have the ability to host dual competitions, but any larger meets would take place off campus.
Sunday, September 27
Sunday, September 27
Saturday, September 26
Friday, September 25