Sept. 27, 2007

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV men's swimming and diving team, three-time defending conference champions, were picked to win a fourth-straight league title, while the Rebel women were picked to finish second as the Mountain West Conference preseason coach's polls were released by the conference on Thursday.

The UNLV men received five of six first place votes, and 25 total, four ahead of BYU (21). Wyoming was picked to finish third with 16, while Air Force was fourth (12), Utah fifth (10), and TCU sixth (6). Though the Rebels lost Brandon Nelms, one of its top swimmers, they do return three conference champions from last season, Richard Hortness (200 free), Jonas Andersson (200 breast), and Johan Claar (1650 free).

On the women's side, BYU was picked to win with 72 points and eight first place votes. UNLV received the other first place vote, and were second with 63, while Utah followed in third at 55. Wyoming was picked fourth (46), Colorado State fifth (39), TCU sixth (32), New Mexico seventh (23), San Diego State eighth (18), and Air Force ninth (12). The women bring back one conference champion from last season, Bailey Kustermeyer in the 200 breast.

The season starts for UNLV on Friday, Oct. 13, as both teams take on Arizona State in Las Vegas at 2 pm at Buchanen Natatorium.