In a poll released today by collegeswimming.com, the Missouri State swimming and diving programs are ranked seventh (men) and fourteenth (women) among all NCAA Division I mid-major programs. This will be the final poll of the year before conference tournaments begin.

CollegeSwimming.com defines a program as a mid-major program if they are not a member of a Bowl Championship Series conference.

The women's team has already won their conference crown, their third consecutive, and seventh in eight years. On Feb. 13, the Bears wrapped up the Missouri Valley Conference title by 275.5 points. Head Coach Jack Steck was named MVC Coach of the year and Diving Coach Jim Huelskamp shared the honor of MVC Diving Coach of the year with Southern Illinois' Joy Zhao. There were twelve Bears that earned first-team all-MVC accolades, while seven were named to the honorable mention team.

The men's team will compete in the Mid-American Conference championship on March 4-6 in Ypsilanti, Mich. This is Missouri State's first season competing in the MAC.  The last three years were spent in the Sun Belt Conference. In the collegeswimming.com poll, MAC rival, and host for the conference meet, Eastern Michigan was ranked fourth. Also featured in the poll were Southern Illinois at 21, and the University at Buffalo at 22.

For the complete release, please visit www.collegeswimming.com/pollMM.