Sept. 28, 2006

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The UNLV men's swimming and diving team, two-time defending conference champions, was picked to finish second in a close vote, while the Rebel women were third in the Mountain West Conference preseason coach's poll, the conference announced on Thursday.

The UNLV men received two first place votes and 21 total, just two behind BYU (three first place votes, 23 total). Air Force had the remaining first place vote, and was third with 17 points. Utah was fourth with 14, while Wyoming was fifth (nine) and TCU sixth (six). The Rebels did lose 2006 MWC Swimmer of the Year Joe Bartoch to graduation, but do return a very strong core of swimmers, led by Brandon Nelms, John Byers, Richard Hortness, Johan Claar, and Jonas Andersson, who all teamed up to help the Rebels claim all five relay titles at the 2006 MWC Championships.

The Rebel women received 43 votes including one first place vote. Utah picked first with five first place votes and 52 total points, with BYU second (3 first place votes, 50 points). TCU was picked fourth with 32 points, one point ahead of Colorado State. Wyoming followed in fifth (23), New Mexico sixth (12), San Diego State eighth (10), and Air Force ninth (two). Two MWC champions return for the Rebels, junior Kim Bonney (200 breast - 2005), and sophomore Ana Dangalakova (400 IM - 2006), while sophomores Bailey Kuestermeyer and Amanda Weinbrecht also return for UNLV.

The season starts for UNLV on Friday, Oct. 20, as both teams take on Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz., at 5 pm.