Sept. 28, 2012

ELMHURST, Ill.- The Oakland men's and women's swimming and diving teams were picked to repeat as Summit League champions, as voted on by the league's coaches and announced by the league office this week. The men's and women's teams have won 13 consecutive Summit League championships since joining the league in 1999-2000.

Oakland finished atop the men's poll with 25 points and five first-place votes, while South Dakota State took second with 20 points and the final first-place tally. Two points separated IUPUI (15 points) and South Dakota (13 points) in third and fourth. Eastern Illinois (10 points) and Western Illinois (seven points) rounded out the poll.

In the women's poll, the Golden Grizzlies claimed first with 36 points and six first-place votes. The Jackrabbits finished as runner-up with 28 points and the final first-place vote, while the Jaguars and league newcomer Omaha tied for third with 23 points each. Filling the final three spots were South Dakota (19 points), Eastern Illinois (10 points) and Western Illinois (eight points).

Oakland returns 10 individual league champions from last year's team. For the men, OU returns six individual event champions, Anders Jensen (100 Back, 200 Back), a three-time Summit League Athlete of the Year, Amr el Sayed (500 Free, 1,650 Free), the 2012 men's Swimmer of the Championships, Alex Aceino (100 Fly), Nick Evans (200 Free), Tobias Hansen (200 IM) and Matyas Keresztes (50 Free). For the women, Oakland returns four individual event champions, in Vanessza Balogh (500 Free, 1,650 Free, 400 IM), two-time Summit League Athlete of the Year, Sandra Czerska (100 Fly, 200 Fly, 200 IM), Alyssa Busch (100 Back, 200 Back) and Tricia Grant (3-Meter Dive).

The Golden Grizzlies will host the Summit League Championships for the second-straight season Feb. 20-23 at the OU Aquatic Center.

2012-13 Summit League Men's Swimming and Diving Preseason Poll

2012-13 Summit League Women's Swimming and Diving Preseason Poll

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