CARMEL, Ind. - The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) announced its men's and women's swimming and diving pre-season polls on Wednesday (Oct. 19) afternoon. The Franklin women were selected to finish atop the league while the Griz men placed second in the rankings. 

The five-time defending conference champion Franklin women collected 34 points and five of a possible seven first-place votes in the poll, finishing a couple points ahead of Transylvania in the poll. Franklin's men earned 31 points and two first place votes in their ranking, slotting them between defending league champion Rose-Hulman and Transylvania with all three teams at the top getting at least one first place vote. 

Both teams also placed four swimmers on the league's list of "Athletes to Watch" for the upcoming year. Franklin's men were represented by seniors Jack Burke, Kosmo Wojack and Cameron Baker as well as freshman Zachary Jackson-Blaine. The Griz women feature seniors Caileigh McCafferty and Samantha Phillips along with newcomers Celeste Hollis and Kat Lundy. 

Both Franklin teams are back in the water on Saturday (Oct. 21) afternoon, heading to West Lafayette, Ind. for the Indiana Intercollegiate Meet.