WSWIM/DIVE: CBU Favorited to Three-Peat in RMAC

In two years as a conference member, California Baptist University has yet to finish anywhere but atop the first-place podium in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Lancers were picked to three-peat as conference champions in the 2015-16 RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday, Oct. 6. CBU was chosen as slight favorites over the eight-team field, thanks to receiving four of the first-place votes available. The Lancers topped the poll with 46 points overall, followed by Lindenwood (44 points, three first-place votes) and Colorado Mesa (37, one). In 2014-15, CBU dominated the RMAC Championships, taking the conference crown with a more than 300-point cushion. The Lancers compiled 1,053 points, while Colorado Mesa took second (748.5) and Lindenwood third (740). CBU has the added challenge of doing it without multiple All-American and two-time reigning RMAC Swimmer of the Year Mary Hanson in 2015-16. A majority seven Lancers were named to the 11-member preseason All-RMAC team, as well, headlined by Lauren Skinner being named the Preseason Diver of the Year. Courtney Chacon, Christie Halverson, Yosita Hapsari, Alena Rumiantceva, Robin Smallwood and Kristina Tchernyshev joined Skinner on the all-preseason team. Skinner earned All-American honorable mention with a score of 398.50 and 16th-place finish on the 1-meter dive at the NCAA Division II Championships last year. The junior is also the reigning RMAC Championships Diver of the Meet and conference Diver of the Year, in addition to a first-team RMAC All-Academic honor. CBU opens the new season Saturday at the PCSC Pentathlon in La Mirada, Calif., at 10 a.m. Outside of their annual Alumni Meet, the Lancers will not open at home until Dec. 12th when it hosts Division I Bakersfield for a dual at noon. The 2016 RMAC Championships will take place Feb. 10-13 at Colorado Mesa.