2015-16 CAC Men's Swimming Preseason Poll
1. Mary Washington (5 first-place votes) 25 points
2. York (1 first-place vote) 21 points
3. St. Mary's 14 points
4. Marymount 13 points
5. Salisbury 12 points
6. Frostburg State 5 points
Mary Washington was selected as the preseason favorite to capture the Capital Athletic Conference men's swimming title in a preseason vote among the conference head coaches. The Eagles will aim to continue their impressive streak of success as they secured their 15th straight conference crown last winter. Despite the loss of four-time national champion and three-time CAC Athlete of the Year Alex Anderson, UMW returns a strong score of All-CAC performers that earned them the top spot in the preseason poll.
UMW was the unanimous selection atop the poll with five first-place votes and 25 points, followed by York in second with one first-place nod and 21 points. St. Mary's (14 points), Marymount (13 points), Salisbury (12 points) and Frostburg State (5 points) rounded out the voting.
With the graduation of UMW's Anderson, York's Kyle Walthall remains the lone CAC swimmer with NCAA Championship experience. Walthall earned a pair of All-America finishes in breaststroke events at the national championships for the second straight year last winter, and also broke several school and conference records throughout the season.
The 2015-16 season opens this weekend as Mary Washington hosts Washington & Lee on Saturday and travels to Catholic on Sunday. All six CAC squads begin their seasons over the next few weeks, with each squad jumping into action in the month of October.
The 2016 CAC Championship meet is set for Feb. 19-21 at St. Mary's.
2015-16 CAC Women's Swimming Preseason Poll
1. Mary Washington (5 first-place votes) 25 points
2. St. Mary's (1 first-place vote) 18 points
3T. Marymount 15 points
3T. Salisbury 15 points
5. York 10 points
6. Frostburg State 7 points
Mary Washington was once again picked as the unanimous preseason favorite to win the CAC title in 2015-16 in a preseason vote among the conference head coaches. UMW will look to continue its record streak this season, as the Eagles strive for their 26th consecutive CAC women’s swimming title during the 2015-16 campaign.
UMW won 16 of 18 events to run away with last year’s championship, becoming the only team across all CAC sports to have won the team title in each of the 25 years of the CAC’s existence.
A wealth of accomplished returners are back for the Eagles this year, including CAC Athletes of the Year Stephanie Hallock (2015) and Abby Cox (2014), along with 2015 Rookie of the Year Megan Murphy.
The Eagles totaled 5 first-place votes and 25 points to take the top spot in the poll, while St. Mary’s received the other first-place vote and took second with 18 points. Salisbury and Marymount tied for third with 15 points each, followed by York (10 points) and Frostburg State (7 points).
The race for second place in the conference has historically been a tight one, and judging by this season’s preseason voting, the CAC meet could produce another close finish this winter. Last year’s championship featured one of the closest second-through-fourth place finishes ever, as just 59 points separated Marymount (492), St. Mary’s (469), and Salisbury (433).
The 2015-16 season opens this weekend as Mary Washington hosts Washington & Lee on Saturday and travels to Catholic on Sunday. All six CAC squads begin their seasons over the next few weeks, with each squad jumping into action in the month of October.
The 2016 CAC Championship meet is set for Feb. 19-21 at St. Mary’s.
