Men’s and Women’s Swimming picked 2nd and 3rd in SAC preseason polls; six named Swimmers to Watch

Rock Hill, S.C. —- The Catawba College men's and women's swimming teams were picked to finish second and third, respectively, in the South Atlantic Conference preseason polls, the league office announced Friday morning.

Catawba's men ranked second in their respective poll with one first-place vote, trailing only the preseason favorite, Wingate. The Catawba Indians were picked ahead of Carson-Newman, Lenoir-Rhyne, Mars Hill and Emory & Henry.

On the women's side, Wingate was also picked the league favorite, while Carson-Newman was tabbed second with one first-place vote. Catawba was slotted third ahead of Lenoir-Rhyne, Mars Hill and Emory & Henry.

Six Catawba swimmers were named on the league's preseason swimmers to watch list. On the men's side freshmen Nazar Herashchenko, Jerzy Larys and Lassi Niemi were named swimmers to watch, while newcomers Lucie Cainaud, Sydney McKenzie and Marleen Plachetka received swimmer to watch recognition.

Catawba opened its season at the ECU Pirate Duels last week in Greeneville, as both teams defeated Division I Gardner-Webb and Barton.

The Catawba Indians continue action next week, hosting Division I Queens at Johnson Pool on Friday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m.