NAIA Coaches' Top 10 Poll
By Katie Green, Manager of Athletics Communications and Media
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After capturing its first red banner in 2017-18, Keiser (Fla.) remains at No. 1 in the first edition of the 2018-19 NAIA Men’s Swim and Dive Coaches’ Preseason Top 10 Poll, the national office announced on Thursday. The reigning champion, SCAD Savannah women claimed the No. 1 spot in the Women’s Top 10 Poll.
Men’s Top 10 Highlights (historical information dates back to 2000):
The Seahawks were voted No. 1 throughout the entire 2017-18 regular season. This is the sixth consecutive No. 1 rank that Keiser has received.
No. 6 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), No. 7 Midland (Neb.), No. 8 St. Ambrose and No. 10 Asbury (Ky.) are new to this poll after not landing in the postseason Top 10 poll.
SCAD Savannah (Ga.)holds the longest active streak in the Top 10 with 35 total appearances. All 35 of those appearances have been in the top five.
There are five programs that have maintained the No. 1 ranking for an entire season. Keiser (Fla.) is the only current member to record a No. 1 rank for an entire season (2017-18). Also on that list are former members Oklahoma Baptist, Fresno Pacific (Calif.), California Baptist and Simon Fraser (B.C.). California Baptist accomplished this feat five different times in the 2008-09, 2007-08, 2006-07, 2005-06 and 2003-04 seasons.
Women’s Top 10 Highlights (historical information dates back to 2000):
The Bees were ranked No. 1 throughout the entire 2017-18 season. The last time that SCAD Savannah was ranked at No. 1 for the entire season was the 2015-16 campaign.
No. 6 Indiana Wesleyan and No. 9 St. Ambrose (Iowa) are new to the poll this time after not landing in the Postseason Top 10 poll.
SCAD Savannah holds the longest active streak in the Top 10 with 37 total appearances since the team’s first appearance in 2009.
There have been five programs that have been able to maintain the No. 1 ranking for an entire season: SCAD Savannah (2015-16, 2017-18) and former members Oklahoma Baptist (2014-15), Fresno Pacific (Calif.) (2009-10, 2011-12), California Baptist (2005-06) and Simon Fraser (B.C.) (2002-03, 2003-04). SCAD Savannah, Fresno Pacific and Simon Fraser are the only teams have a No. 1 rank for two different seasons.
SCAD Savannah has received the most No. 1 rankings in NAIA women’s swimming & diving history.
Poll Methodology
Top 10 team ratings will be recommended to the NAIA National Office by a Coaches’ Presidential committee. This committee will conduct the Top 10 rating five times during the season.
The postseason poll is determined by the final places of the teams at the national championship.
The Committee will consist of seven current NAIA Swimming and Diving Coaches. The committee will use the most current “top times” as the primary source of ranking. To view the top times, CLICK HERE
For the complete ratings calendar, CLICK HERE
Women’s Poll
1 1 SCAD Savannah (Ga.) 70
2 5 Keiser (Fla.) 59
3 3 Cumberlands (Ky.) 55
4 4 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 43
5 6 Loyola (La.) 35
6 2 Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) 30
7 NR Indiana Wesleyan 22
7 7 College of Idaho 22
9 8 Brenau (Ga.) 21
10 NR St. Ambrose (Iowa) 8
Receiving Votes: West Virginia Tech and Lincoln (Ill.)
Men’s Poll
1 1 Keiser (Fla.) 68
2 2 SCAD Savannah (Ga.) 65
3 4 Lindenwood Belleville (Ill.) 54
4 6 Cumberlands (Ky.) 49
5 9 Loyola (La.) 41
6 NR Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 39
7 NR Midland (Neb.) 24
8 NR St. Ambrose (Iowa) 21
9 8 College of Idaho 12
10 NR Asbury (Ky.) 10