Oct. 8, 2008
2008 Patriot League Swimming and Diving Webguide 
Center Valley, Pa.-Navy was selected first in the 2008-09 Patriot League Men's Swimming and Diving Preseason Poll, while Colgate was picked to win the 2008-09 Patriot League title in the Women's Swimming and Diving Preseason Poll. The Midshipmen received 14 first-place votes and 98 overall points for the men. The Raiders received 10 first-place votes and 94 overall points on the women's side. Patriot League head coaches and sports information directors for the respective sports voted in the polls, and could not vote for their own schools.
Army received the other two first-place votes on the men's side and 79 overall points. Bucknell also received 79 overall points, to tie the Black Knights for the second spot in the poll. Colgate garnered 60 overall points, good for the fourth spot, while Lehigh (54) is in fifth. Lafayette and American are tied for the sixth spot with 32 points apiece, while Holy Cross rounds out the poll with 14 points.
On the women's side, the remaining six first-place votes went to the Navy Midshipmen, who finished with 90 overall points to secure the second-place position in the poll. Bucknell finished third with 74 points. Rounding out the rest of the women's preseason poll were Lehigh (53 points), Lafayette (49), Army (44), American (30) and Holy Cross (14).
The Navy men are coming off their fifth consecutive Patriot League Swimming and Diving Championship, and will look to become the first team to win six in a row since Army won seven straight titles from 1992-98. The Mids are once again led by veteran Head Coach Bill Roberts, as well as Joe Suriano, the 2008 Patriot League Diving Coach of the Year. The Navy men welcome back 25 letterwinners from a season ago, including 2008 Patriot League Championship Diver of the Meet Jonathan Galinski.
Army's men's team finished the 2008 Patriot League Championship meet in third place, and will rely on the return of 20 letterwinners to try to get over the hump. 2007 Patriot League Coach of the Year Mickey Wender will welcome 16 newcomers to West Point this season. Bucknell finished the 2008 season in second place, which is where it is predicted for the 2008-09 season as well. 2008 Patriot League Coach of the Year Dan Shinnerer welcomes back 15 letterwinners this season.
Colgate rounds out the top half of the men's preseason poll, and will look to improve on last season's fifth-place championship finish. The Lehigh Mountain Hawks finished fourth in the League to end the 2008 season, and will look to continue to build success under third-year Head Coach Rob Herb. Lafayette, American and Holy Cross will aim to improve on last season's results, as the Leopards will have the services of nine newcomers this winter, while the Eagles and Crusaders welcome back four and five student-athletes, respectively.
The 2008-09 Colgate Raiders women's team is picked to set the standard in the pool for the Patriot League. After winning the first title last season, Colgate Head Coach Stephen Jungbluth will look to improve upon his 41-23 record this season. Jungbluth welcomes back 2008 Patriot League Championship Rookie of the Meet Erin McGraw, along with 15 letterwinners from 2008.
Navy finished second at last season's championship meet, and will start the season picked to finish second in `08-'09. The Mids will have the benefit of returning eight First-Team All-Patriot League honorees from a season ago.
The Bucknell women's team returns 22 letterwinners from last season, which saw them finish third at the championship meet. The Bison welcome 12 newcomers to the team this season.
Lafayette returns 18 letterwinners and welcomes 11 student-athletes to this year's team. The Black Knights return 15 letterwinners and welcome five newcomers to this season's squad. Lehigh returns Melanie Rolish and Lauren Kindrick to the pool for the `08-'09 season, following their Second-Team All-Patriot League performances a year ago. American looks to improve with the veteran leadership of 18 returning letterwinners, and the Crusaders welcome 11 student-athletes while returning 19 letterwinners from last season.
The 2008-09 Patriot League Swimming and Diving Championship meet will occur Thurs.- Sat., Feb. 19-21 at Bucknell University's Arthur D. Kinney, Jr. Natatorium. The 2008-09 season is already underway for Army and Bucknell, who competed in their first meets last weekend. Colgate, Holy Cross and Navy will kick off the 2008-09 campaign this weekend.
For more information, please see the
2008 Patriot League Swimming and Diving Webguide.
2008-09 Men's Preseason Poll
1. Navy (14) 98 overall pts.
2. Army (2) 79
2. Bucknell 79
4. Colgate 60
5. Lehigh 54
6. Lafayette 32
6. American 32
8. Holy Cross 14
2008-09 Women's Preseason Poll
1. Colgate (10) 94 overall pts.
2. Navy (6) 90
3. Bucknell 74
4. Lehigh 53
5. Lafayette 49
6. Army 44
7. American 30
8. Holy Cross 14
