MSWIM/DIVE: CBU Picked Second in RMAC Preseason Poll

For the past three seasons, California Baptist University has been in the mix to win the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship, and 2015-16 will be no different. The Lancers were picked to finish second in the conference in the RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll Tuesday, Oct. 6. CBU has finished second in the RMAC the last two years in a row. The Lancers received one first-place vote and 13 points overall in the poll, while Lindenwood earned the distinction of favorite with four votes and 16 points. CBU did come out with the preseason swimmer and diver of the year, in Josh Hanson and Zach Mullins, respectively, in addition to two other all-preseason selections. A season ago, CBU stunned the RMAC by taking second in the conference with 841 points and overcoming its No. 3 selection in the preseason poll. The Lancers will look to repeat that feat and win their first conference title over the Lions, who won it with 1,021 points in 2014-15. Hanson is the two-time reigning RMAC Swimmer of the Year and is coming off a six-time All-American performance at the NCAA Division II Championships, including a silver-medal swim in the 400-yard individual medley and fifth-place performance in the 200 IM. The senior also won conference titles in the 200 IM and 200 butterfly and notched All-RMAC swims in five other events. Mullins received two All-American honors after taking eighth in Division II on the 3-meter dive (459.90) and 14th on the 1-meter (436.65). Outside of their annual Alumni Meet, the Lancers will not open at home until Dec. 12th when it hosts Division I Bakersfield for a dual at noon. The 2016 RMAC Championships will take place Feb. 10-13 at Colorado Mesa.