Oakland Men and Women Tabbed to Win 11th Straight Summit League Title

The Oakland University men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams are both favored to win The Summit League championship this season.  In a poll conducted by the coaches, the Golden Grizzlies were selected unanimously to finish in first place.

On the men’s side, the Golden Grizzlies received six first place votes for a total of 36 points. Centenary recorded the other first-place vote and placed second with 28 points. Eastern Illinois followed closely in third with 26 points.  In their first season as a Summit League associate member, South Dakota garnered 19 points for fourth.  South Dakota State (16), Western Illinois (15) and IUPUI (7) finished fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.

The Oakland women also recorded six first-place votes for 36 points. Western Illinois picked second with 30 points and the remaining first-place vote. South Dakota State followed in third with 21 points, while South Dakota came in fourth with 20 points. In fifth place, Centenary received 17 points, closely followed by Eastern Illinois with 16 points and IUPUI with seven points to round out the voting.

The men lost five first team selections from a year ago, but returns two senior and three sophomore first team selections including league newcomer of the year and swimmer of the year, Anders Jensen. Jensen finished 12th in 200-yard backstroke at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship last year and earned All-American Honorable Mention. Oakland welcomes back 1,650 Free Champion Tim Montague, along with 200 Breast Champion Scott Yarbrough. The Golden Grizzlies return The 2008 Summit League Swimmer of the Year Marcin Unold, who earned All-America honors in 2007-08 and last season’s 200 and 400 Individual Medley Champion Eddie Toro.

The women return seven first team all-league honorees from last year including five upperclassmen. Senior Agnes Solan returns after placing first in the 100 Back, 200 Back and 200 Individual Medley. After placing in the top-three in 50 Free, 100 Free, and 200 Free, Kelli Dewey will continue to make an impact as will 100 Breast third place finisher Emily Wike. Newcomer of the Year Alyssa Vela, who won the won the 100 Free and the 200 Free at the championships, also returns.