Oct. 12, 2010
Newport News, Va. -
The Atlantic 10 Conference released the preseason coaches' polls for men's and women's swimming & diving this afternoon, and for the second straight season, the Fordham women's swimming & diving team was selected as the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic 10 Championship and defend to its 2010 title. The Fordham men's swimming & diving and team was picked in a tie for fourth with Xavier.
In the women's poll, Fordham was picked first, followed by Richmond, Massachusetts, Duquesne, La Salle, St. Bonaventure, Xavier, George Washington, Rhode Island, and Saint Louis.
After capturing its first Atlantic 10 Championship in 2010, Fordham returns a number of medalists from last year's squad, looking for a repeat. The Rams are led by juniors Courtney Collyer, who earned gold in the 200 butterfly and silver in both the 200 and 400 individual medley events, and Kelly Bunster, who was a part of two gold (200 medley and 800 freestyle) and two silver (400 medley and 400 freestyle) medalist relays. Senior Megan McGorry (500 and 1650 freestyle) and sophomore Brienne Ryan (100 and 200 backstroke) are also back having each earned a pair of individual silver medals in 2010, as well as junior diver Andrea Krok, who received a silver medal in the one-meter dive.
In the men's poll, Massachusetts was picked to continue its string of titles, which currently stands at four. The Minutemen are followed by St. Bonaventure, La Salle, Fordham, Xavier, George Washington, and Saint Louis.
The Fordham men's team has finished fourth in each of the last two seasons at the Atlantic 10 Championship, securing its best-ever finish in consecutive years. Fordham will be led by seniors Robert Gitman and Billy Colton, who both scored in the "A" final of the 100 and 200 backstroke events a year ago, as well as senior Matthew Grabiak and junior Sean McManus, who both scored in the 100 and 200 breaststroke events.
The Fordham swimming & diving season opens on Thursday, October 21st, at home against Marist College, beginning at 7:00 PM.
2010-11 Atlantic 10 Swimming & Diving Preseason Coaches Poll
Women (2010 Finish)
1. Fordham (1st)
2. Richmond (2nd)
3. Massachusetts (3rd)
4. Duquesne (4th)
T5. La Salle (5th)
T5. St. Bonaventure (6th)
7. Xavier (8th)
T8. George Washington (10th)
T8. Rhode Island (7th)
10. Saint Louis (9th)
Men (2010 Finish)
1. Massachusetts (1st)
2. St. Bonaventure (2nd)
3. La Salle (5th)
T4. Fordham (4th)
T4. Xavier (6th)
6. George Washington (8th)
7. Saint Louis (7th)
