Nov. 3, 2004

Stockton, Calif. - The Pacific Tigers women's and men's swim teams were picked to finish first and second, respectively, in the Big West coaches' preseason poll released on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

The men, who finished second last year after winning the Big West in 2001-02 and 2002-03, received one first place vote and 29 total points, good for second place. The men are led by nine seniors this year, who look to capture their third Big West title in four years. Overall, 16 swimmers return along with two very talented freshmen. UC Santa Barbara received five first place votes and 35 total points for an expected first place finish. The Tigers will try to get some revenge against the Gauchos when they swim against them on Jan. 21. Pacific men fell just 71 points short of capturing its third straight Big West title last season.

The women, winners of the last three Big West titles, are once again expected to finish first. They received six first place votes and 48 total points. Last year's runner-up, UC Irvine received one first place vote and 38 total points. The anteaters are expected to finish second along with UC Santa Barbara. The Pacific women, after graduating 11 seniors last season, are led by four seniors this year, including NCAA qualifier and All-American Lyndsay McNamee (Stockton, Calif.).

MEN:

Rank School Points

1. UC Santa Barbara (5) 35

2. Pacific (1) 29

3. UC Irvine 26

4. UC Davis 17

5. Cal Poly 12

6. Cal State Northridge 7

() first place votes

WOMEN:

Rank School Points

1. Pacific (6) 48

2. UC Irvine (1) 38 UC Santa Barbara 38

4. UC Davis 29

5. Cal Poly 15 Idaho 15

7. Cal State Northridge 13

() first place votes