Don't underestimate the Mountain West Conference. While most people are familiar with the big names - SEC, Pac-10, Big 10 and ACC, the Mountain West has consistently produced NCAA qualifiers and scorers. It's also proven to be one of the most competitive conferences top to bottom. Less than 300 points separate first from last on the men's side and the same can be said for the top six women's teams. This is also the conference that also produces some of the most animated banter in on the message boards. The UNLV will head into 2007 as the hunted, not the hunter and you can be sure BYU is looking to bag itself a conference title. On the women's side, BYU's chasing Litz's Utes, but can't overlook the UNLV women. Colorado State has something to prove and several programs boast huge freshmen classes guaranteeing this often-overlooked league gets some of the respect due.

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University Nevada, Las Vegas
Head Coach: Jim Reitz (26th Season)
Mountain West Finish: Men: 1^st of 6 Women: 3^rd of 9
NCAA Finish: Men: 28^th Women -

After years of near misses, UNLV got their chance as the men claimed their first-ever conference title and a top-thirty finish. All-American Brandon Nelms gives the Runnin' Rebels great leadership and NCAA experience. Johan Claar, distance, Richard Hortness sprints and John Byers, hope to repeat at MWC Champions this year. Sprinter Marina Sandback, breaststroker Bailey Kustermeyer, and IM'ers Kim Bonney, and Ana Dangalakova form the nucleus of the women's squad thats hoping to crack the top-thrity this season. are looking to return to the form that led them to the title two years ago. Both teams hope to qualify as many swimmers for nationals and improve on last year s finish.

Reitz says, (The) men should be better than last year's conference champion team with strong recruiting class and nearly everyone back. (The) women - young but talented - will be way better at end of season.

UNLV will look to both the experienced upperclassmen as well as the talented incoming freshman including flyer Daniel Egly, sprinter Thomas Andolfsson, and on the women s side, Marva Harpak in the free events. Considering one of the more decorated Rebels, Joe Bartoch, graduated as well as Adam Martinson and for the women, Julie Babin and Jessie Bradshaw, the Rebel freshman will have to step it up immediately.

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Brigham Young University
Head Coach:Men: Tim Powers (32nd season), Women: Stan Crump
Mountain West Finish: Men: 2^nd of 6 Women: 2^nd of 9
NCAA Finish: Men: 41^st Women: 45^th

Last season BYU found itself in an unusual place - second. You could understand if men's coach Tim Powers complains about the result, but don't expect the longstanding coach to do so. Powers' assessment, "The results show we didn't have depth but we were struggling with injuries and not running on all cylanders.

The Cougars went into the MWC Championships undefeated but not at full strength. Mark Chay had surgery right after the meet to reattach a patella ligament while Jorge Azevedo was not at his best due to a shoulder injury.

Brett Allen leads the Cougars into his senior year. Coming off of a 12^th place finish in the 50 free, the 6'5" junior looks to continue his improvement going into this season. On the men s side, eleven of fifteen letterwinners return, but that can be misleading because two swimmers - Zach Anderson and Texas transfer Gregor Griener are just getting back from their respective church missions. Freshman diver Brandon Watson has finalled in the past two senior nationals while Azevedo and Chay are back at full strength. This is a program with no apparent holes and if it can stay healthy should make a good run towards the MWC title and get a few more guys to Minneapolis.

The women's side also looks to get back on top and continue climbing the NCAA ladder and Coach Crump is excited about the upcoming season, "I'm really looking forward to the coming year." And with good reason. the Cougars return a pair of NCAA qualifiers. The women will be led by Angela Goodson. After a stellar season last year, culminating with a 14^th place finish at NCAAs in the 100 fly, Goodson looks to improve as well as defend her MWC title. Jamie Bloom is also coming off a great season which included a MWC title in the 200 breast and an invite to the NCAA championships. Additionally, Leilani Roberts, Brittney Davis, and U-Nice Chan will all contribute. Last year the Cougars weakness was depth, but BYU's upgraded its talent from top to bottom. "We have an unusually good group of walk-ons who will put upward pressure on the kids who have been in the program for a while," explains Crump. The Cougars are always at their best at the end of the season and if they hold true to form, they'll be content for the conference crown.

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University of Utah
Head Coach: Michael Litzinger (7th Season)
Mountain West Finish: Men: 5^th of 6 Women: 1^st of 9
NCAA Finish: Men: 26^th Women: -

Utah is coming off a strong season last year. The Women claimed the MWC title while the men, finished down the conference ladder, but enjoyed a successful outing at nationals. The Women return 18 letterwinners from last year s team including MWC champions Kelsey Patterson (1 meter) and Amber Walter (50 free). The Men return 17 letterwinners, led by Andrew Cole.

One of the strengths of the Utes is their depth. Walter stands head and shoulders over the rest of the MWC sprinters and should be looking to do some damage in March in Minneapolis. Jennifer Fredsall isn't far behind and the pair get Utah in the running for the relays. IM'ers Alison McInturff and Marissa Marti bring both talent and experience. Rachel Curci returns to defend her conference title in the 1650 and add a title in the 500. For the men, the loss of Jonathan Larsen and Sterling Richards will be hard so the Utes will lean heavily on George Evans, breaststroker Michel DeCarolis, and backstroker Adam Cole who returns as the fastest backstroker in the MWC. The Utes offer a challenging meet schedule, something that should serve them well when it's go time.

"Once again the Mountain West schedule will be highly competitive," said Litzinger. "It is exciting knowing that Utah is always in the mix to win a regular season title, but looming above that title is the Championship and that is where our focus is."

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University of Wyoming
Head Coach: Tom Johnson (8th season)
Mountain West Finish: Men: 4^th of 6 Women: 5^th of 9
NCAA Finish: Men: - Women: -

The Cowboys have big goals for the 2006-07 season. Head Coach Tom Johnson believes that the men can crack the top two (last year they were just six points away from third) while the women can make it into the top half of the conference (which eluded them by just ten points.) TJ also believes both squads can send individuals to the NCAA meet in March. Erin Spadinger is the closest to that goal She just missed making the meet in the breaststrokes this past season.

Ron Fogel is set to defend his 200 fly conference title, but the Cowboys will need a little a little more speed from him in the shorter flys. Kevin Bretting and John Lynch are the MWC's top two returning divers. Matt Urich and Eli Bell are solid both solid. Alex Larkin had a breakthrough freshman year and will be joined in the breaststrokes by senior Dan Jones. will pick up valuable points and offer leadership.

In addition to the talent and leadership provided by the returning upperclassmen, Wyoming will need to have immediate contributions from incoming freshman as well. Tommy Gregory will be able to add points right away in the sprints while Olena Moher and Jessica Fruwirth can help out the women.

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U.S. Air Force Academy
Head Coach: Men: Rob Clayton (9th season); Women: Casey Converse (22nd season)
Mountain West Finish: Men: 3^rd of 6; Women: 8^th of 9
NCAA Finish: Men: 35^th Women: -

The Air Force Academy has one of the strongest squads in years and hopes to improve on a solid season in an increasingly-competitive Mountain West Conference. On the Men s side, the Falcons are led by returning All-American Chris Knaute and Paul Parmenter, both Team Captains for their senior year. Knaute hopes to improve on his 10^th place finish at NCAAs last year. Parmenter has developed from a walk-on to MWC Champion in the 200 IM. Returning honorable mention All-American Knaute looks to improve from his 10th place finish at the NCAAs in the 400 IM. Chris has won 7 MWC titles in his first three years. School record holder Nick Burton and All-MWC performer Justin Lapin give us tremendous depth in the IM events and are hungry to win MWC titles and compete at the NCAA Championships. Indiana state champ Chris Morin joins the squad as well as Sean O'Keefe from Tualitin Hills, and FLEET IMer Alex Yee Coach Clayton says, The Air Force Academy is poised for its finest season in the history of the program. A deep, talented, and proven senior class will lead theFalcons in their quest for a MWC Championship.

For the Women, the Air Force is hoping to improve on last years 8^th place finish at conference. Flyer Jane Hwang and sprinter Laken Stogner return after a successful 2006 season. Blaire Leak narrowly missed her own school marks in breaststroke and is poised to lower them this season. Lindsay Kirchoff was top eight in the 100 fly, Tiffany Biddle showed promise in the mile, not surprising considering her coach, Casey Converse, was the first American to go under 15:00 in the 1650. Diver Danielle Dowds is the brightest star for the Falcons and should contend for a MWC title on the boards.

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Texas Christian University
Head Coach: Richard Sybesma (28th year)
Mountain West Finish: Men: 6^th of 6 Women: 4^th of 9
NCAA Finish: Men - Women -

Richard Sybesma's been at TCU since the team was just a club in 1978. Last year he ushered the Horned Frogs into the Mountain West Conference. Two years earlier TCU was the toast of Conference USA claiming titles on both sides, but last year they found themselves in a much tougher situation the the likes of BYU, Utah, Colorado State and the like around them. discovered a new challenge in the new conference last year. This team, following that trial-by-fire is ready for 2007, says Sybesma, "I really like the makeup of this year's team. With the proper leadership we can be a very good team and have a great year."

The men finished 6^th of 6 teams last year and will look to several areas for points. This team did not have a number of conference scorers, so it will need sprinters

Jonathon Berrettini, Guillermo Ramirez and Scott McCracken to rally the relays if they're to move up the ranks. Just five freshmen join this years squad so TCU needs its upperclassmen who have not contributed to come forward and help the Frogs break through.

The TCU women are on much more solid footing. Kelly Seely is one of the MWC's top divers. Rikki Covey, Erica Tate, Emily Duerringer, and Keleigh Walker and Keleigh Wentworth have the the skills to compete among the top eight in multiple events. Though Utah's Amber Walker is far and away the top sprinter of the conference, Erica Tate could give her a run in the 50 free. Cheryl Townsend had a breakthrough freshman year and Emily Duerringer will be a fixture on free relays.

Though light numbers will limit TCU's impact in the team race, their talent will make them a tough dual-meet team, but the Horned Frogs are undaunted and looking for a top three finish on the womens side and a shot at the top twenty five. More than that they could make a run at the dual meet title. The Mountain West is unique in having both an in season as well as a Conference Meet Champion. This is awesome from a team aspect to be able to compete all year around and to have each meet mean something to your team and alumni. I am expecting some very fast swimming and a run at the conference title.

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Colorado State University
Head Coach: John Mattos (26th Season)
Mountain West Finish: Women: 6^th of 9
NCAA Finish: Women: n/a

After an all-time low of 6th place, Colorado State has something to prove and John Mattos doesn't mince words about it, "We must find a way to get back into the hunt for the MWC crown and put athletes at NCAA's." In his quarter-century of collegiate coaching John Mattos' teams have never been out of contention for the crown, but as Mattos explains, "our team goals will be high and commitment enduring." You believe him when he says the Rams will be seeking to regain the mojo for a great team that, "for one reason or another, just fell short of their potential."

That task is made more challenging by the departure of All-everything sprinter Liz Jones'. Brette Winegarner and Chandra Engs come off strong seasons however and should improve. Mattos is looking for stellar seasons from Juniors Tara Staley, Celes Parks, Amy Abrams, Elyse Hall and Karin Knudson while sophomores Lyndsey Cox, and Annsley Lujan will only improve with experience. The biggest key to the Rams will be arrival of nineteen fresh faces on campus. Vicki Curtis, Carmen Cianci, Nora Kennedy, Jennifer Muniz and Nicole Kelley along with Pacific transfer, Summer Morgan will play an immediate impact.

The faster these newcomers assimilate into Mattos' winning system, the faster the Rams will find themselves in the conference hunt.

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University of New Mexico
Head Coach: Tracy Ljone (2nd season)
Mountain West Finish: Women: 7^th of 9
NCAA Finish: -

Last year was a learning year for the Lobos. It was also the first year without Bill Spahn at the helm. With first-year head coach Tracy Ljone at the helm, the Lobos struggled a bit early on, but came together for a 7^th place finish at the conference meet.

"We struggled during the dual meet season but the team really came together for conference," Ljone said. "All the girls stepped it up and swam best times. Going winless in the dual meets made it tough heading into conference, but the girls made a decision to swim better and really got behind each other. It was a great meet for everyone."

Carrie Quinn is capable of moving up from her 4th and 8th places on the 1- and 3- meter boards. Tori Clarridge and Kelly Soldow are solid sprinters while Kristen Naber can carry the load on butterfly. Tori Clarridge is capable of moving up in the backstrokes while Jenna Syverson have to make up for the graduation of Robyn Miller. Those conference scorers have coach eager to head into her sophomore campaign, "The girls on the team are so much fun to work with and I was so excited that we could finish off the year like we did.

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San Diego State University
Head Coach: Deena Deardurff-Schmidt (12th Season)
Mountain West Finish: Women: 9^th of 9
NCAA Finish: -

The SDSU women hope to improve on last year s 9^th place finish. To do that, however, they'll have to find a way to overcome the loss of Samantha Peters and Emily Schmied. The Aztecs will look to Kimberlee Firth for leadership as well as talent. Firth is coming off a UNM record breaking season that included a third-place finish in the 200 freestyle. Katie Smith had a pair of top ten finishes in the backstrokes while Emily Parker gained points in the mile. Lizette Patterson and Stella Karoly are solid, but need to do more than score in just one event for the Aztecs to make strides up the conference ladder.