Sept. 29, 2004

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The UNLV men's and women's swimming and diving teams were both picked to finish second in the Mountain West Conference preseason coach's poll, the conference announced today. BYU was the favorite to win the 2004-05 titles for both men and women.

The UNLV women, received one first place vote and 48 votes total, two ahead of third place Colorado State. The Rebels return two conference champions from last year, Julie babin (400 IM) and Jessie Bradshaw (100 free), and have brought in a strong freshman class with 17 newcomers for this year's team.

The Rebel men received 11 votes to place second behind BYU (16), and one vote ahead of Utah (10). They return Jonathan Hugo, a two-event champion at last year's MWC championships (50 free, 100 back), while Adam Martinson was the 200 back champion. UNLV also returns all four members of three conference champion relay teams, in the 200 free and medley and 400 medley relays.

The season starts for UNLV on Friday, Oct. 22, as the Rebels will take on Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz.