Jan. 21, 2010

DALLAS (SMU) - The SMU swim teams received national recognition today by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America. The women's team moved up to No. 18 in the latest poll while the men earned a rank of No. 23.

For the men, it marked the biggest jump of any school in the poll as the Mustangs were the only new team to enter the top-25. Previously the squad had been ranked No. 29, but its third place finish at the Classic at SMU, helped the team move up the ladder. At the event last weekend, SMU finished ahead of schools No. 6 Florida, No. 13 USC and No. 18 Purdue. The No. 7 Michigan Wolverines won the event, edging the Mustangs by just 20 points.

On the women's side, the Ponies moved up a spot from No. 19 in the last poll released in December. During the interim, SMU has competed against top-notch competition such as No. 1 Georgia at the beginning of the year and against No. 6 Texas A&M and No. 8 Auburn two weeks ago in College Station.

This weekend the men will have the weekend off, while the women host Rice on Friday night at 6 p.m. and Houston on Saturday at 1 p.m., at the Joe Perkins Natatorium. Full results will be made available on SMUMustangs.com.