UMaine swim teams picked fifth in AE poll

The University of Maine men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams were selected to finish fifth in the America East Preseason Poll, voted on by the conference coaches.

Maryland-Baltimore County earned the top slot on the men’s side with 16 points and four first-place votes. Binghamton was second, followed by Boston University, Stony Brook, and Maine.

The Black Bears will be led by Cully Wakelin, who placed ninth in the 100-yard freestyle at the conference championships last year.

UMBC was also picked to finished first on the women’s side, garnering 34 points and four first-place votes. New Hampshire was second, BU third, Vermont fourth, Maine fifth, Binghamton sixth and Stony Brook seventh.

Colleen Miller is the top returnee for the Bears. She placed third in the 1650-yard free and fourth in the 200-yard free at last year’s AE meet.

The Bears open their seasons Saturday at home against Rhode Island at 11 a.m.