Dec. 2, 2002

COLUMBIA, Mo. -

The latest College Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) women's top 25 dual meet poll has the lady Tiger's team ranked 19th in the country. The ranking is the highest in the 26-year history of the Missouri women's swimming and diving program.

Last season the women's team cracked the top 25 for the first time in their history. They were ranked #25 in the last dual meet poll of the 2001-02 season. This season they cracked the preseason poll at #21 where they stayed until last week when they moved up to #20.

After a strong showing at the Minnesota Invitational (Nov. 22-24), in which the Tigers finished in second behind host Minnesota and ahead of then #13 Wisconsin and #15 Notre Dame, the Tigers put themselves in good position to crack into the top 20.

The Tigers received 56 votes, just three behind #18 Michigan. Auburn remained at #1 with Florida, Georgia, Stanford and Southern California rounding out the top five. Including Missouri three Big 12 teams are represented in the poll with Texas (#7) and Texas A&M (#22) the other conference representatives.

The Tigers are in action this weekend, December 7, in Lexington, Kentucky. The Tigers take on SEC power University of Kentucky at 1:00 p.m. in the Lancaster Aquatic Center in a non-conference dual meet. The women's team will look to continue their streak of 17 straight dual meet victories.