Men Picked Third, Women Picked Fourth in MAC Preseason Poll
9/29/2017 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
CLEVELAND - The Miami University Swimming & Diving team was the preseason pick to finish third in the league for the men and fourth in the league for the women for the 2017-18 season, according to a poll of coaches released Friday.
The RedHawks women were picked to finish fourth out of the eight teams in their division according to coaches' votes. The coaches unanimously selected Akron to finish first in the conference and win the MAC tournament after winning their fourth consecutive conference title last season. Buffalo and Eastern Michigan were picked to finish second and third, respectively. Miami was picked to finish fourth. Rounding out the poll were Ohio, Bowling Green, Toledo and Ball State.
According to the coaches' poll, the RedHawks men were picked to finish third out of six teams in their division. The coaches selected Eastern Michigan to finish first in the conference and Missouri State to finish second in the conference. The votes were split evenly between Eastern Michigan and Missouri State when picking what team will win the conference title. Miami was picked to finish third in the conference. Southern Illinois, Ball State and Evansville round out the coaches' poll.
The RedHawk's men and women both finished in fourth place at the MAC Championships last season. Miami opens its season with a co-ed home meet against Purdue on Friday, Oct. 13 at 3 p.m.
MAC Women's Swimming and Diving Coaches Poll (first-place votes in parentheses)
1. Akron (8)
2. Buffalo
3. Eastern Michigan
4. Miami
5. Ohio
6. Bowling Green
7. Toledo
8. Ball State
MAC Tournament Champion (first-place votes in parentheses): Akron (8)
MAC Men's Swimming and Diving Coaches Poll (first-place votes in parentheses)
1. Eastern Michigan (4)
2. Missouri State (2)
3. Miami
4. Southern Illinois
5. Ball State
6. Evansville
MAC Tournament Champion (first-place votes in parentheses): Eastern Michigan (3), Missouri State (3)