Swimming and Diving Picked First in NEC Preseason Coaches Poll
Blue Devils opened the season with a strong showing last weekend at St. Bonaventure
The Central Connecticut women's swimming and diving team was picked to win its third straight Northeast Conference Championship in the league's preseason Coaches Poll released on Tuesday. The Blue Devils won the title in 2015 and 2016. Senior Christine Rasile, the 2016 Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet, and the Blue Devils opened their season last weekend with a strong showing on the road at St. Bonaventure.
Head Coach Bill Ball, the 2016 NEC Coach of the Year, has led the Blue Devils to four NEC Championships in his time in New Britain. CCSU also won the title in 2008 and 2009 under Ball. They have five total NEC titles (2001) in program history.
Last season Central posted 797 total points to claim the title by 70 points over second place Wagner. Rasile led the way with four relay wins and first place finishes in the 50 free, 100 free and 200 free over the four day meet.
The Blue Devils earned six of a possible seven first place votes in the poll. Wagner was second and received two first place votes. Bryant was third, followed by St. Francis U, LIU Brooklyn, Sacred Heart and Mount St. Mary's, and St. Francis Brooklyn.
The Blue Devils return several first team performers from a year ago, including Rasile, junior Maddy Garber (200 breaststroke champion) and sophomore Aidan Devers (200 backstroke champion) as well as a strong freshman class in 2016-17. Garber participated in the 2016 Olympic Trials earlier this year in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke.
Central opened the season at St. Bonaventure last week and will host LIU Post this Saturday, Oct. 22 in the Jack Suydam Natatorium.
The 2017 NEC Women's Swimming & Diving Championships will be held from February 15-18 at MIT in Cambridge, MA.
