AU Swimming and Diving Teams Chosen 6th, 7th in PL Preseason Poll

Oct. 24, 2007

WASHINGTON - The American University men's and women's swimming and diving teams were selected sixth and seventh, respectively, in the Patriot League Preseason Polls, conference officials announced Wednesday.

The American men, who received 40 points, were chosen ahead of Lafayette (36 pts.) and Holy Cross (16 pts.), but placed just behind Colgate (51 pts.) and Lehigh (48 pts.). The women's team received 36 points and was selected ahead of Holy Cross (14 pts.) but behind Lafayette (46 pts.) and Lehigh (38 pts.). The polls were voted on by the eight PL head coaches and sports information directors from each school.

Coincidentally, the two teams were chosen to finish in the same positions that they placed in last year's conference championship. Meghan Thiel returns this year as AU's only All-Patriot League selection on either team. Thiel repeated last year as the 500 free and 1650 free conference champion for the third-straight year and placed second in the 200 free. AU will return 14 members of the PL Academic Honor Roll, a solid nucleus to the group which earned Academic All-America for both the fall and spring semesters.

The Eagles season opens up this weekend. On Friday, Oct. 26, AU will swim at Catholic University against both CU and George Washington at 6 p.m. in the first of three weekend sessions for the three teams. The trio will move their competition to the American University campus on Saturday, Oct. 27, where the remaining two sessions will take place at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the Robert H. Frailey Pool.

To view complete results of the poll, click here.