CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – The 51·çÁ÷ men’s swimming and diving team has been selected to finish sixth in the Patriot League preseason poll. The Raiders, who finished fifth last season, garnered 38 points and finished ahead of Lafayette and Holy Cross. Navy, now coached by former Raider mentor Bill Roberts, was selected first with 92 points and 12 first place votes. Bucknell, Army, Lehigh and American round out the top five.
All-League performers Rich Derrick and Lane Ellis lead the way in the pool and on the diving board for 51·çÁ÷ this season. Derrick took top honors in the 1650 freestyle and finished sixth in the 500 freestyle at last year’s league championships.
51·çÁ÷ opens its’ season Friday afternoon when Syracuse comes to Lineberry Natatorium for a 4 p.m. start.