Rider, Marist Unanimously Voted To Repeat As MAAC Swimming and Diving Champions

10/6/2016 2:00:00 PM

MAAC Sports

 

EDISON, NJ - The five-time defending MAAC Men’s Swimming & Diving champions, Rider University has been named the unanimous preseason favorite to win a sixth consecutive title in 2017, according to a vote of the league’s 10 head coaches.

In 2016, the Broncs began the championship with two first place wins in the 200 medley and 800 free relays. Rider broke the MAAC record in the 800 free relay with a time of 6:34.15. In 2016, the Broncs were led by sophomore Zack Molloy who competed in seven events at the 2016 MAAC Championship, winning gold in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, and the 500 freestyle. With a time of 1:36.87, Molloy held onto his 200 free champion title, surpassing his previous Rider and MAAC record. He was also awarded most outstanding Male Swimmer at the championship.  

Coming in second for the men’s teams is Marist College totaling 89 points from the coaches. Bryant University, receiving 80 points, placed third. Canisius College came in fourth with 67 points, narrowly beating out Iona College who finished fifth with 63 points. Niagara University finished sixth in the poll with 48 points, while Fairfield University finished in seventh with 40 points. Manhattan College finished eighth with 26 points. Monmouth University and Saint Peter’s University round out this year’s poll; receiving 23 points and 14 points respectively. 

Defending champion Marist College has been selected as the unanimous preseason favorite to win the 2017 MAAC Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship.  Marist College has won seven consecutive Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, and 17 overall.

In 2016, the Red Foxes took first place in the 800 freestyle relay event during the championship, on day one setting a new MAAC record of 7:29:41. On the second day of the championship, Marist marked a 1:35.09 to take home the gold medal in the 200 freestyle relay. In 2016, sophomore Megan Berardelli took home the gold medal in the 3-meter dive scoring 296.95 points at the MAAC Championship. Berardelli was also awarded most outstanding female diver at the championship.

Coming in second for the women’s teams is Rider University with 86 points. Canisius College finished third with a total of 82 points. Iona College came in fourth with 67 points, narrowly beating out Siena College who finished fifth with 61 points. Fairfield came in sixth with 52 points while Niagara University finished seventh with 40 points. Manhattan College finished eighth with 24 points. Monmouth University and Saint Peter’s University round out this year’s poll; receiving 21 points and 17 points respectively.

 

*  Denotes unanimous selection

 

Men’s Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1.	Rider* (10)	100
2.	Marist	89
3.	Bryant	80
4.	Canisius	67
5.	Iona	63
6.	Niagara	48
7.	Fairfield	40
8.	Manhattan	26
9.	Monmouth	23
10.	Saint Peter’s	14