The four-time defending MAAC Men’s Swimming & Diving champions, Rider University has been named the preseason favorite to win a fifth consecutive title in 2016, according to a vote of the league’s ten head coaches. Rider earned a total of 98 points with nine of ten coaches’ first place votes.
In 2015, the Broncs began the championship with two first place wins in the 200 free and 800 free relays. Rider broke the MAAC record in the 800 free relay with a time of 6:38.65, breaking the old record by 6.1 seconds. In 2015, the Broncs were led by freshman Zack Molloy who broke two MAAC records while placing first in both the 200 and 500 freestyle events. He also placed second behind Marist’s John Spitzer in the 100 free.
Coming in second for the men’s teams is Marist College totaling 91 points from the coaches. Canisius College, receiving 79 points, placed third. Bryant University came in fourth with 64 points, narrowly beating out Iona College who finished fifth with 60 points. Niagara University finished in sixth in the poll with 47 points, while Saint Peter’s University finished in seventh with 38 points, right ahead of Manhattan College who finished eighth with 30 points. Fairfield University and Monmouth University round out this year’s poll; receiving 26 points and 17 points respectively.
Defending champion Marist College has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2016 MAAC Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship. Marist College has won six consecutive Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, and 20 overall. Marist’s women’s team received a total 99 points earning nine of ten coaches’ first place votes.
In 2015, the Red Foxes took first place in three relay events during the championship, along with first place in the 1650 free, 1000 free, and 100 and 200 breaststrokes. Trailing Canisius and Saint Peter’s by four points after the first night, Marist built an enormous 312-188 lead on the second day of competition. Junior Renata Diotalevi placed first in the 3-meter dive and third in the 1-meter dive, scoring 263.80 and 247.80 respectively. Diotalevi was named the 2015 MAAC Championship Women’s Most Outstanding Diver.
Coming in second for the women’s teams is Rider University with 85 points. Canisius College finished close behind with a total of 84 points. Siena College came in fourth with 64 points, narrowly beating out Iona College who finished fifth with 60 points. Fairfield came in sixth with 46 points while Niagara University finished seventh with 39 points and Saint Peter’s finished eighth with 32 points. Manhattan College edged out newcomer Monmouth University to round out this year’s poll; receiving 21 points and 20 points respectively.
