Continuing our preseason Top 25 for the 2026 D-III college season, it's time for #6-15!
January 15, 2026 by Ultiworld in Rankings
Ultiworld’s College Power Rankings, presented by the National Ultimate Training Camp!
We are excited to present the 2026 preseason College Power Rankings! As we head into a new season, we’ve looked at past performance, roster changes, preseason results, and more to figure out how we think the team could stack up this season. Take a look at our first rankings set of the spring college season and read up about each Top 25 team.
We will be counting down our rankings in three parts:
- #25 to #16
- #15 to #6
- The Top 5
D-III Women’s
Contributions from Theresa Diffendal, Zack Davis, and TJ Lee
6. Mt. Holyoke Daisy Chain
2025 Finish: #8 in Power Rankings, T-7th at Nationals, 15-8 record
We only saw Mt. Holyoke suit up once in the 2025 regular season, and it was the very last weekend at that, but apparently those were all the reps Daisy Chain needed to make their way back to Nationals. Though they lose the throwing talents of Jamie Eldridge to graduation, All-American caliber players Charlotte Moynihan, Eliza Williams-Derry, and Claire Willett (who only missed out on the ROTY podium due to a star-studded class) should be a tough trio for any team to handle and capable of another deep bracket run.
7. Rochester EZ Women
2025 Finish: #10 in Power Rankings, 9th at Nationals, 22-7 record
Bringing back the defensive prowess of Tay Harvey and the offensive consistency of Marlena Berger, Rochester is set to have another strong season. Sharing the region with the defending national champions is not a fun setback, but the EZ Women have more than enough talent and depth to earn a second bid and handle the rest of the Metro East.
8. Macalester Pursesnatchers
2025 Finish: #23 in Power Rankings, 5th at North Central ConfRegionals, 13-7 record
You might think us surprisingly bullish on Macalester after the Pursesnatchers’ disappointing end to the 2025 season, missing even the game-to-go in last year’s three-bid North Central region. But those losses came without 2024 BPOTY Claire Lee, who missed the end of the season due to injury. Well folks, the most exciting player in the division is back for a senior hurrah, and with a now-experienced cast of seniors and juniors like Zayna Hopkins, Sophie Diliberti, Adi Megiddo, and May Kinnamon who received serious reps in Lee’s absence, don’t be surprised if Macalester snatch the crown this year.
9. St. Olaf Vortex
2025 Finish: #6 in Power Rankings, T-7th at Nationals, 17-12 record
It’s going to be strange not seeing Leina Goto and Grace Milhaupt on the line for the Vortex, but the team is in good hands. Char Batchelor1, Sarah Lester, Julia Mockert, and Maggie Walsh are all returning. Even losing their two stars, this is a team that will be dangerous for anyone in the nation, and will be eyeing a top four finish. Batchelor showed flashes of brilliance last season and has a high floor; expect to see that name a lot this season.
10. Kenyon Blu-Ray
2025 Finish: #9 in Power Rankings, 10th at Nationals, 23-4 record
The People’s Team of 2025 is back and have their eyes on the prize once again. Though they’ll be without double-digit players from their second-time Nationals squad, including Gwyn Kelley and Kate Ford, they added what every team with Nationals aspirations needs: skilled rookies (experienced midwest youth players Clara Nerbonne and Maeve Tholen) and a coach, HG Morrison. And with Johnson & Johnson (Will and Kaley) back to lead the offense, Kenyon has all the tools to build a flash-in-the-pan 2025 into a program that contends for Nationals year after year.
11. Carleton Eclipse
2025 Finish: #11 in Power Rankings, 11th at Nationals, 17-7 record
We’ve long called Carleton “the program” of D-III women’s ultimate, and one down season (by the lofty standards set for this team) doesn’t change that. Multiple All-American selection Frankie Saraniti headlines their losses, but 2024 BPOTY runner-up Maddy Brown is more than capable of ascending to that do-it-all star role for Eclipse. Look for her to be the favorite target of the dual throwing threats of Molly Horstman Olson and Becca Hazen. Carleton has made six straight bracket appearances, never missing out in the 2020s. Don’t count on that changing in 2026.
12. Williams NOVA
2025 Finish: #13 in Power Rankings, 3rd at New England Regionals, 20-8 record
Williams had a heartbreaking end to their 2025 season, falling in the final to Middlebury and proceeding to lose on universe in the game-to-go to a Mt. Holyoke team that didn’t get to 10 games in the regular season, which could’ve earned the notoriously strong New England region the third bid it arguably deserved. Nova lose five players to graduation, most notably the lauded handling-cutting pair of Skylar Yarter and Emily Stanger. But ready to step into their shoes are Seattle youth product Camilla Lowe and returning Phoebe Young, an Amherst graduate who was sidelined her rookie season with an ACL injury. Add in the club upskilling of senior captains Hannah Bernhardt and Aliza Cotton, and it’s more likely than not we’ll see Williams in Indiana.
13. Lewis & Clark Artemis
2025 Finish: #5 in Power Rankings, T-3rd at Nationals, 15-8 record
Following a surprise run to semifinals last year, Lewis & Clark is looking to have another big season. Mikah Keetch and Katelyn Osborne are gone, but the return of Presten Berg keeps them a threat. Add rookies like Cate Talabere and the coaching prowess of Jacob Artz and Chris Beaulieu, and Lewis & Clark is poised for another great year.
14. Rice Torque
2025 Finish: #15 in Power Rankings, 14th at Nationals, 14-10 record
Most teams throw in the towel when they go down 10-5 in a game. But Rice Torque proved themselves worthy of last year’s sole South Central bid when they rallied back to win 15-12 over rival Colorado College. Ria Stevens and her 29 blocks from Nationals is back, and with a young roster that has the taste of the biggest stage, expect Rice to be in contention come the Series.
15. Colorado College Zenith
2025 Finish: #16 in Power Rankings, 2nd at South Central ConfRegionals, 17-7 record
Falling short of Nationals last season for their first time since rejoining the D-III division will certainly be enough of a motivation for Zenith this year. Kelsey Viadro along with Cassidy Recker will return for their senior season. Both will have another season of club under their belt – Viadro played with Colorado Kelp, and Recker played with Low Oxygen. It’s always good when your veteran leadership gets some club exposure, especially when they get some reps in against teams like Fury and shame.
D-III Men’s
Contributions from Calvin Ciorba, Josh Katz and Hunter Lang
6. Oklahoma Christian Eagles
2025 Finish: #11 in Power Rankings, 10th at Nationals, 21-11 record
Surprise! Oklahoma Christian is bringing back their stars for one more 5th year – Sammy Roberts, Emmanuel Kameri, and Evan Card (who returns to the team after a two-year hiatus) all return for the 2026 season. With Luke Norby transferring, the Eagles are putting all their stock into this year’s season for one more postseason run.
7. Whitman Sweets
2025 Finish: #6 in Power Rankings, T-7th at Nationals, 14-6 record
Whitman has been a mainstay in the top 10 of the Power Rankings over the last three years, but hasn’t been able to put the pieces together for a deep Nationals run. Now, Kai Kirsch and Leo Dungan-Seaver have graduated, putting Nico Darringer squarely in the spotlight for the newest iteration of the Sweets. If his play in 2025 was any indication, Whitman should be safe in the top 10 for another year.
8. St. Olaf Berzerkers
2025 Finish: #14 in Power Rankings, 2nd at North Central Regionals, 26-9 record
St. Olaf continued the streak of reigning Nationals champions failing to qualify the following year to its third year in 2025; however, don’t expect them to miss out this year. With a solid core of young talent with YCC experience, as well as the high-level club development from Jonas Geere and Max Sponseller, the Berzerkers have a legitimate chance not only to return to Nationals, but to make a run in the bracket once there.
9. Franciscan Fatal
2025 Finish: #15 in Power Rankings, 14th at Nationals, 22-8 record
Plagued by the injury bug, Franciscan stumbled their way to their worst-ever Nationals performance last spring. They should be healthier in 2026, and still have the unstoppable Jude Schmiesing-Matthew Gregor combination to rely on. And their toughest competition in the Ohio Valley is likely to take a step back, clearing a path for a third straight Nationals bid.
10. Claremont Braineaters
2025 Finish: #13 in Power Rankings, 12th at Nationals, 12-8 record
Claremont brings back most of last year’s roster that showed plenty of promise in Burlington. After a couple years developing their large crew of underclassmen, the Braineaters have become a trendy sleeper pick for a deep run in 2026. With Arenaria Cramer, Isamu Sims, and more, plus another promising rookie in U20 tryoutee Charlie Palmer, it’s not hard to see why.
11. Williams WUFO
2025 Finish: #10 in Power Rankings, 3rd at New England Regionals, 19-9 record
Usually, college teams go their separate ways over the summer, but seemingly the entirety of WUFO’s core played Albany Alibi together, building on the success they’ve had over the last few years. Wade Buchheit will once again lead the offense, and with one of the deepest junior classes in the country, expect at least one player to step up and help fill the Charlie Tantum-sized hole in the WUFO defense.
12. Bowdoin Clown
2025 Finish: #7 in Power Rankings, T-7th at Nationals, 27-7 record
Cole Fairfield (and his tremendous goal-scoring abilities) may have graduated, but Clown still have a centerpiece to build around on both sides of the disc. Zach Widmyer can sling it with the best on the O-line, and Theo Barton can take on the toughest matchups on the D-line. But in the always loaded New England region, that may not be enough to get back to Nationals.
13. Richmond Spidermonkeys
2025 Finish: #17 in Power Rankings, 16th at Nationals, 17-16 record
A surprise last-place finish at Nationals last year was certainly a disappointment for a Spidermonkeys program coming off a semis run. With coach Matt Graves still at the helm, that seems to be the floor. The ceiling will be determined by the development of players like Eric Harnisher, Anthony Longo, and rookie Nate Warren (YCCs with Philadelphia Forge).
14. Wesleyan Nietzsch Factor
2025 Finish: #8 in Power Rankings, 9th at Nationals, 19-9 record
Some regression is probably in store for last year’s Metro East champs after losing the reliable Daniel Glickman and nearly a line’s worth of starters to graduation, plus legendary coach Bryan Jones. If they’re going to stave that off and remain in the top half of the division, they’ll need a couple of players to find a new level in a bigger role. Maybe Denis Cha or Malen Cheung?
15. Colorado College Wasabi
2025 Finish: #19 in Power Rankings, 3rd at South Central Regionals 18-8 record
After a dominant run to a title in 2023, it looked like a dynasty was budding in Colorado Springs. But it’s been a two-year championship hangover for Wasabi, and they have not been back to the Big Show. Look for that to change if Oliver van Linder can stay healthy and return to the form we all saw in 2023.
Autocorrect changed this to “Catchelor” which would be a sick nickname ↩
