Sept. 30, 2010
ELMHURST, Ill. - The Oakland University men's and women's swimming and diving teams are favored to win The Summit League Championship, according to the coach's poll released Thursday. The seven programs were not allowed to vote for their own team.
For the men, Oakland received six first place votes and 36 points, seven points ahead of Centenary, who had a first place vote. Eastern Illinois was picked to finish third, only two points behind the Gents. Rounding out the poll was South Dakota State (4th - 18), Western Illinois (5th - 15), South Dakota (6th - 14) and IUPUI (7th - 8).
Oakland returns six all-league selections including four individual champions. Back to defend their titles are sophomore Alex Aceino (100-yard butterfly), junior Tim Montague (500 and 1650 freestyle), junior Joe Rodgers (400 individual medley) and junior Scott Yarbrough (100 and 200 breaststroke.
After redshirting last season, senior Marcin Unold is back in the water for the Golden Grizzlies. He is a five-time league champion, was the 2007-08 Summit League Swimmer of the Meet and earned NCAA Division I All-America honors in 2006-07 and 2007-08. Senior John Ledda and junior Ben Vavra return after earning all-league honors last year.
For the women, the Golden Grizzlies were perfect as well with six first place votes and 36 points, finishing nine points ahead of South Dakota State, who had a first place vote. There was a tight battle for third as only three points separated third and fifth. Centenary got third with 23 points followed by South Dakota at 21 and Eastern Illinois with 20. Rounding out the poll was Western Illinois (6th - 14) and IUPUI (7th - 6).
Oakland is loaded with 14 all-league performers returning including eight individual champions and three award winners. Senior Chelsea Oates was the Diver of the Meet after winning the 1-meter board and placing second on the 3-m. Sophomores Sandra Czerska and JulieAnne Stears shared the Newcomer of the Meet award after winning five events between them. Czerska won the 100 and 200 fly while stears captured the 400 IM and the 500 and 1650 free.
Junior Alyssa Vela is back to defend her titles in the 50 and 100 free events. Additional returning all-league performers are junior Marcella Barretta, sophomore Alyssa Busch, senior Kelli Dewey, junior Jade Evink, junior Johanna Gustafsson, sophomore Jenny Larsen, junior Nicole Salmeto, senior Corey Tschannen and senior Emily Wike.
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