Men's and women's swimming hold No. 1 ranking in final coaches' poll
Fresno Pacific will be going into this year’s NAIA National Championships with a target on its back as the No. 1 ranked team on both the men’s and women’s side. The final polls of the season were released putting the Sunbirds on top.
Both squads received 24 points and 3 first place votes. Cal Baptist came in second on both polls receiving 21 points and one first place vote on the women’s side and tying the men with 24 votes but only 2 first place votes.
The men and women have now taken all three polls in the entire season making them the favorites going into Nationals. However, as Head Coach Peter Richardson has said all season, “It’s awesome to be viewed as the best team, but the polls mean nothing. We have to go and perform in the pool at Nationals; that’s where it really counts.”
“I think the team sees it that way too, so we look like we’re ready to go,” concluded Coach Richardson.
The NAIA Swimming and Diving National Championships begin next week with diving on Wednesday, March 3 and swimming beginning on Thursday, March 4.
Men’s Coaches’ Poll:
1. Fresno Pacific (3) - 24
2. Cal Baptist (2) - 24
3. Concordia - 15
4. Lindenwood - 12
5. Simon Fraser - 4
Receiving Votes: Savannah College of Art & Design, 1.
Women’s Coaches’ Poll:
1. Fresno Pacific (3) - 24
2. Cal Baptist (1) - 21
3. Simon Fraser (1) - 17
4. Concordia - 13
5. Asbury - 2
5. Cumberlands - 2
Receiving Votes: Azusa Pacific, 1; Savannah College of Art & Design, 1.