Men swimmers all-time best 3rd, women 6th

Wayland Baptist's men are tied for 3^rd in the first 2016-17 NAIA poll while the women are tied for 6^th, representing the highest rankings ever for the Pioneer swimming and diving program.

"Our guys' goal is to finish in the top three, so we're right there, and we want our women to finish in the top five, so they're getting there," WBU coach Alyson Hannan said. "We are really excited."
 
The Pioneer men finished sixth nationally last year while the women were 10^th.
 
Hannan said the hard part will be maintaining or improving the rankings.
 
"We have to keep working hard and keep striving toward our time goals and we'll get there," she said.
 
In the men's top 10, defending national champion Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) comes in at No. 1, having earned all five first-place votes. Defending national runner-up SCAD Savannah (Ga.) sits one spot behind the Tigers. The Bees return the NAIA Men's Swimmer of the Year in Joel Ax.
 
Wayland is tied for third with first-year program Keiser, Fla.

On the women's side, defending national runner-up Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) has taken over the No. 1 ranking, followed by defending national champion SCAD Savannah (Ga.)

Wayland and College of Idaho are tied for sixth.

Top 10 team ratings are conducted by a committee of NAIA swimming and diving coaches three times during the season. The committee will use the most current "top times" as the primary source of ranking.

The next Top 25 Poll will be released Nov. 17. 
 
Wayland already has competed in two competitions this season. The next will be duals against Texas-Permian Basin and McMurry in Abilene on Nov. 11.
 
2016-17 NAIA Men's Swimming & Diving Coaches' Poll No. 1

RANK	LAST TIME^	SCHOOL (1st Place Votes)
1	1	Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) (5)
2	2	SCAD Savannah (Ga.)
T3	NR	Keiser (Fla.)
T3	6	Wayland Baptist (Texas)
5	4	WVU Tech
6	5	Cumberlands (Ky.)
7	3	Lindenwood-Bellevue (Ill.)
8	8	Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)
9	10	College of Idaho
10	9	Asbury (Ky.)

^Reflects ranking in final 2015-16 poll
 
2016-17 NAIA Women's Swimming & Diving Coaches' Poll No. 1

RANK	LAST TIME^	SCHOOL (1st Place Votes)
1	2	Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) (4)
2	1	SCAD Savannah (Ga.) (1)
3	6	Biola (Calif.)
4	3	Cumberlands (Ky.)
5	9	Brenau (Ga.)
T6	8	Wayland Baptist (Texas)
T6	10	College of Idaho
8	7	Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)
9	5	WVU Tech
10	NR	Columbia (S.C.)

^Reflects ranking in final 2015-16 poll