National Preseason Rankings

RICHMOND, VA - The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) released its Division II Preseason Swimming & Diving Poll Thursday. The committee, comprised of Division II coaches and select media outlets, ranks the top 25 teams in the nation based on dual meet strength. University of Indianapolis is the preseason favorite for both the men and women. The polls were not conducted during the 2020-21 season due to COVID. 

For Carson-Newman, the women's team has been slated with a seventh place spot amongst Division II women's swimming programs. For Carson-Newman men's swimming, the Eagles are also in the top-15, coming in at number eleven. Both programs see the highest national rankings under head coach Jordan Taylor since he took over the program.

"Obviously it's really early on in the season and a lot of teams had a smaller meet to compete in," head coach Jordan Taylor said. "Obviously the national rankings thus far show the depth of our team as it is the biggest team we've had so far. The ranking for both sides is a result of our domination this past weekend."
On the men's side, UIndy and Queens University of Charlotte each received three first-place votes. UIndy received 146 points, one more than the defending NCAA Champion Royals.  Lindenwood is third with 137 points, McKendree fourth with 125 and Grand Valley fifth with 124. In all, thirty-two men's teams received votes.

The UIndy women are the clear favorite as they collected all but one of the first-place votes for 148 points. Wingate ranked second with 141 points.  Queens (NC), the defending NCAA Champion, received the final first place vote and ranks third with 136 points.  Nova Southeastern (132 points) and Lindenwood (128) round out the top five. Thirty-two women's teams received votes. 

"The ranking shows just how well we have started the season and the depth that we have within the team," Carson-Newman coach Jordan Taylor said. "We just have to continue to improve on our times and it takes everyone to do that for us to rise in the rankings, not just our strongest swimmers."

The rankings are voted on by CSCAA-member coaches and select media. The committee includes six representatives from division II institutions and two media members. Paul Mangen, head coach of Saint Leo chairs both the men and women's polls. The remaining polls are scheduled for release on November 11, December 9, January 19, and February 9 and March 4. These dates are subject to change. 

C-N looks for a repeat performance and another boost up the rankings in their upcoming dual-meet on the road against Wingate on Oct. 23^rd.

"Again, it's another boost to team moral and a motivator for future meets to see if we can climb even higher," Taylor said. 

The Eagles are not the only BMC team that has reached such heights so far as rival Queens was tabbed as second on the men's side and third on the women's side in the national rankings. Meanwhile, fellow BMC rival Wingate comes in at sixth for men's and second for women's swimming. 

Division II Men

Also Receiving Votes

Missouri-Saint Louis (14), Findlay (13), Saint Leo (12), Rollins (7), Bloomsburg (6), Saint Cloud State (2), Indiana (PA) (1)

Division II Women

Also Receiving Votes

Saint Cloud State (3), Henderson State (3), Florida Tech (3), Minnesota State (2), Sioux Falls (1), Oklahoma Christian (1), Davenport (1)