Collegeswimming.com, arguably the most visited and respected web site for the sport, has published its first power rankings for the year and Incarnate Word’s Cardinals are at the very top of the list.
The ratings are for NCAA Division II and are based on how well teams do in dual meets throughout the swimming and diving season leading up to the National Championships in the spring.
The first rankings gave UIW 178.40 points compared to the second-rated Wayne State of Michigan which had 169.48.
Incarnate Word later in the season will compete as an associate member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Out of that league Colorado Mines is rated ninth while another associate member, Grand Canyon, is 22nd.
A year ago UIW won the RMAC title on the way to an 11th place finish at the national meet. That Cardinals team was led by Aliaksandr Yatsko who defended his national championship in the 500-meter freestyle race.
DIVISION II DUAL MEET POWER RANKINGS
by collegeswimming.com
1) Incarnate Word 178.40 points
2) Wayne State (Mich) 169.48
3) Grand Valley State (Mich) 168.55
4) California / San Diego 166.48
5) Ashland (Ohio) 163.36
6) Missouri S & T 157.40
7) Ouachita Baptist (Ark) 156.26
8) Wingate (NC) 155.94
9) Colorado Mines 155.12
10) St. Cloud State (Minn) 154.56
11) West Chester (Pa) 154.25
12) Delta State (Miss) 153.60
13) Tampa (Fla) 153.00
14) Lewis (Ill) 150.04
15) Indianapolis (Ind) 147.88
16) Truman State (Mo) 146.72
17) Rollins (Fla) 145.34
18) Gannon (Pa) 144.18
19) Minnesota State / Mankato 143.36
20) Indiana (Pa) 142.28
21) Henderson State (Ark) 142.11
22) Grand Canyon (Ariz) 141.32
23) Wheeling Jesuit (WVa) 137.90
24) Mars Hill (NC) 135.48
25) Catawba (NC) 130.32