SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Both the Omaha men's and women's swimming & diving programs were tabbed fourth in the Summit League Preseason Coaches Poll, the league announced Wednesday morning. Luke Asbury, Ian Blackstock, Annika Harthoor, and Darby Drake were named Preseason Athletes to Watch.

The men tallied 30 points in the poll after posting a fourth place finish at the Summit League Championships in their inaugural 2021-22 season. The women collected 33 points after placing third last season.

The Maverick men sit behind Denver who was tabbed to be the league favorite receiving six first-place votes. South Dakota and Lindenwood tied for second and each picked up a vote.

Rounding out the polls is South Dakota State in fifth, St. Thomas in sixth, Eastern Illinois in seventh, and Southern Indiana in eighth place.

The Maverick women sit behind the Denver women who also claimed the preseason favorite nod with seven first-place votes. South Dakota sits second with one vote, which Lindenwood rounds out the top-three.

South Dakota State, St. Thomas, Eastern Illinois, and Southern Indiana take fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth, respectively.

Asbury earned the Swimmer to Watch honors for the men. He was an All-League honoree in the 200-Back with a time of 1:49.85 for third place. He plaved in the top eight in the 200-Fly (1:54.56) and 100-Back (49.87) at the league championships.

Blackstock was named the Diver to Watch for the Maverick men. He posted a season-best score of 251.78 in the 1-Meter dive at Northern Iowa and a score of 268.55 in the 3-Meter dive at the league championships.

Harthoorn was named a women's Swimmer to Watch. She won the 100-Fly at the Championships with a program record time of 54.85. She was an All-League honoree in the 200-Medley Relay, 400-Medley Relay, and 400-Free Relay.

Drake was named the women's Diver to Watch. She placed fourth in the 1-Meter (257.25) at the league championship. Drake earned one Diver of the Week accolade last season with a second-place finish in the 1-Meter (263.63) and third-place finish in the 3-Meter (217.35) vs. Nebraska.

Omaha opens the 2022-23 slate next week. The Mavericks host St. Cloud State on Sept. 30 at 5:30 p.m. The location has changed to Millard West high school.