November 16, 2006
For the first time in the history of the Texas A&M women?â„¢s swimming & diving program, the Aggies are ranked among the nation?â„¢s true elite according to the College Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) dual meet poll released today.
The Aggies, who for the first time ever are ranked as the top women?â„¢s swimming & diving program in the state of Texas, were voted the fifth-best out of 190 NCAA Division I programs by a select panel of the nation?â„¢s coaches.
?It says a lot about the work ethic and desire of our girls that we can achieve something like this,? A&M head coach Steve Bultman said. ?This shows we are doing good things as far as getting girls to improve. We are attracting good swimmers and they are getting better and better under our program.?
Only perennial national championship contenders Stanford, Arizona, Auburn, and California rank ahead of Texas A&M in the newest edition of the CSCAA poll. The Aggies made a significant jump from No. 9 to No. 5 after one of the strongest dual meet performances in its history, a 174-125 win over No. 11 Texas on Nov. 3.
?If you look at everything A&M has to offer as far as academics, facilities, support for the program and overall school spirit ?- the sky is the limit for how successful we can be,? Bultman said. ?It?â„¢s taken a lot of hard work to get where we are. We knew it would take some time but we also knew it was just a matter of time before we started climbing the ladder.?
The No. 5 dual meet ranking is a school record, besting that of the 2004-05 team that ranked in a tie for eighth in Dec. of 2004.
The Aggies will host No. 7 Southern Methodist and No. 10 Michigan as well as Illinois, LSU, and Pacific in the Art Adamson Invitational starting tomorrow at the Student Rec Center Natatorium.