NAIA Top 10 Coaches' Poll

Kansas City, MO – The UC women's swimming & diving program has been one of the most successful programs at UC with eight straight MSC titles and three consecutive third place finishes at the NAIA National Championships.  This year's team is has gotten off to a fast start going 5-0 to remained ranked second in the NAIA Top-10 Coaches Poll, announced by the national office Friday.

Cumberlands earned 63 points to be ranked second for the second consecutive poll. The Patriots have put together an impressive start to the season accumulating the top time in nine different events.  In addition to that, UC seven other times ranked in the top-five in their respective event, while accounting for 24 top-ten marks so far this season.

Leading the way for the Patriots are veteran swimmers Mendy De Rooi and Hanne te Velthuis.  De Rooi has the top time in both the 50 free and the 200 back going 23.75 and 2:06.00, respectfully.  The reigning two-time NAIA Swimmer of the Year, is also ranked second in the 100 back (58.42) and the 400 IM (4:41.61). 

Te Velthuis continues to impress in her first year in the red and navy.  The sophomore has gone 53.24 for the 100 free, and 1:56.82 in the 200 free to be ranked first in both events.  Te Velthuis also has the second fastest time in the 50 free as she touched the wall in 24.18 last weekend.

Diver Emma Lehmkuhl owns UC's final individual top-ranking finishing with a score of 208.40 on the one-meter board.

With three times ranked in the top-five, Maria Basto is looking to build on her successful freshman campaign.  Basto is ranked third in the country in both the 100 back (58.78) and the 200 IM (2:13.33).  The sophomore has also recorded times of 5:19.01 for the 500 free and 22:15.16 in the 200 back to be ranked fourth and eighth, respectfully.

Two additional Patriots are ranked in the 200 back as Liberty Poley (2:12.36) and Samantha Danielsen (2:14.87) are ranked sixth and seventh, respectfully. Cameron Klimczak notched a pair of top-ten marks, being ranked sixth in the 200 IM with a time of 2:15.86, while her 2:20.52 is ranked tenth in the 200 fly. 

Kayana Cook and Leah Thomas have the final top ten marks.  Cook is ranked ninth in the 100 breast (1:10.83), while Thomas posted the eighth fastest time in the NAIA in the 1000 free (11:29.91).

In addition to all of UC's individual success, the Patriots also hold the top spot in four of the five relays.

Keiser earned all seven first-place votes and 70 points to be atop the poll.  Olivet Nazarene is ranked third with 55 points, while MSC rivals Indiana Wesleyan and Life are ranked fourth and fifth with 45 and 34 points, respectfully. 

The Patriots will return to the water Wednesday, December 9, when they travel to Wilmore, KY to take part in the Asbury Invite.  That meet is a three-day competition.

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