Omaha, Neb. -- The Omaha Mavericks women's swimming and diving team was tabbed to finish fourth and the men's team slotted at five in the Summit League Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league Wednesday morning. Mason Schroeder, Ian Blackstock, Hailey Matthews, and Darby Drake were tabbed as this season's Preseason Athletes to Watch. 

The women tallied 29 points in the poll after posting a fourth place finish in the Summit League Championship in the 2022-23 season. The men received 26 points after their fifth place finish in program's second season. 

The Maverick women sit behind Denver who was tabbed to be the league favorite receiving seven first-place votes. South Dakota and Lindenwood sit ahead of Omaha with 41 and 39 points respectively. 

Omaha followed the Lions in fourth with 29 points, while South Dakota State was tabbed fifth with 27 points. St. Thomas (17 points) and Eastern Illinois (12 points) was slated to finish sixth and seventh, respectively, while Southern Indiana rounded out the poll in eighth with ten points.

The Maverick men follow behind Denver, also tabbed as the league favorite on the men's side. Close behind Denver is Lindenwood with 45 points. 

South Dakota followed the Lions in third with 36 points, while in-state rival South Dakota State was slated to finish fourth with 29 points. Just behind the Jackrabbits with 26 points was Omaha, who was picked to finish fifth. 
St. Thomas followed the Mavericks in sixth with 19 points, while Eastern Illinois was tabbed seventh with 12 points. Southern Indiana, who along with Lindenwood will enter their second season as an affiliate member, rounded out the poll in eighth with ten points.

Matthews has been earned the Swimmer to Watch  after posting 15 top-10 finishes last season, including first place finishes in the 200 free (1:50.68), 500 free (5:00.61), 200 back (2:06.15) and 200 fly (2:10.13). She had four top-10 finishes in the 200 free last season and well as competed in 31 events over nine meets last season. 

Senior Diver, Drake, has been named Diver to Watch after she posted three top-10 finishes last season and placed third with a score of 240.15 against Air Force. She had one zone qualifier during the 1m (266.78) and posted a season-best score of 240.15 in the 3-meter dive.

Sophomore, Schroeder, was named as the men's Swimmer to Watch. He scored top eight in two of his three events at the League championships and finished season with five top-10 times in the 100 back, including a first place time of 48.93. The Nebraska native placed fifth at the League championships in the 100 back (49.01) and contributed two first place finishes in the 200 Medley Relay (1:27.89) and 400 Medley Relay (3:16.12).

Blackstock was named as the Diver to Watch for the men. He broke the program's record for 1-meter and 3-meter dives last season and held six top-three finishes in the 1-meter dive, including a season-high score of 288.15. He placed sixth in the 3-meter dive at the League championships with a score of 303.45