The Grand Canyon University men’s and women’s swimming teams were both picked to finish first in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Preseason Poll.
The men, who finished fifth at the NCAA Championships last season, received four of the possible six first-place votes. Defending champion, Incarnate Word, was picked second and received two first-place votes.
The women, who finished fifth at the NCAA Championships and first at the RMAC Championships in 2011-12, received five out of a possible seven first-place votes. Incarnate Word took home the other two first-place votes.
“It is always gratifying to see our swimmers and our program recognized for what we have accomplished so far and I am very thankful to the other coaches in the RMAC for their votes for our swimmers,” said head coach Steve Schaffer. “The poll points to a very competitive conference championship meet with Incarnate Word this season. This will be UIW’s last year in the RMAC and I am sure they will want to go out with two more team championships, so I am not sure we are as much of a lock as the poll might suggest, especially since we will keep our focus on the NCAA Championships this year, and not rest our NCAA qualifiers for the conference meet.”
GCU’s Eetu Karvonen was named the Preseason Conference Men’s Swimmer of the Year. Last season, Karvonen won the NCAA Championship in the 100 and the 200 breast. Michael Branning was named the preseason swimmer of the year in 2011-12.
“Eetu’s selection is well deserved after the NCAA meet he had last year,” said Schaffer. “This will be his final season, so I am sure he will want to do even better this year.”
Incarnate Word senior Tamiris Nascimento (Rio de Janiero, Brazil/Salesianos) was named
the RMAC Preseason Women’s Swimming & Diving Athlete of the Year.
Nascimento returns to the Cardinals after earning three All-America
honors last year in the 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle and
200-meter medley relay. She was also the 2011 NCAA Division II National
Champion in the 50-meter freestyle.
Men's Preseason Poll
1. Grand Canyon (4)
2. Incarnate Word (2)
3. Colorado Mines
4. Colorado Mesa
5. Texas - Permian Basin
6. Adams State
Women's Preseason Poll
1. Grand Canyon (5)
2. Incarnate Word (2)
3. Colorado Mesa
4. Colorado Mines
5. Texas - Permian Basin
6. Adams State
7. Western State
