EDISON, N.J. – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) released the 2012-2013 Preseason Coaches Poll. The Fairfield women were picked seventh while the men's team was picked eighth.
 
On the men's side, Rider University men's team was selected to repeat as champions. Marist College was picked to finish second in the poll with Canisius College third. Last year, Rider won its first MAAC men's crown since 2004 with a total of 717 points, beating out second place Canisius by 129.5 points. Loyola University Maryland was selected fourth, while Bryant University, who is joining the league this season, was picked fifth. They were followed by Iona College, Saint Peter's University, Fairfield, Niagara University, and Manhattan College.
 
On the women's side, Marist was picked to defend its conference title. Marist extended its record to 13 conference championships by winning its third consecutive league title as the Red Foxes tallied 813.50 points, beating out second place Rider by 156 points. Rider was picked by the coaches to finish second, while Loyola was picked third. Iona was chosen fourth and was followed by Canisius, Siena College, Fairfield, Niagara, St. Peter's, and Manhattan.
 
The 2013 MAAC Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving Championships will be held February 14-16 at the Burt Flickinger Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
 
Fairfield is off to a 1-1 start this season and is coming off a sweep of Holy Cross. The Stags return to action on October 20 MAAC foe Manhattan on October 20 at 12pm at the RecPlex Pool.

 
2012-13 MAAC Men's Swimming & Diving
Preseason Poll (2012 Championship Finish)
1. Rider University (1)
2. Marist College (3)
3. Canisius College (2)
4. Loyola University (4)
5. Bryant University (DNP)
6. Iona College (5)
7. St. Peter's University (7)
8. Fairfield University (6)
9. Niagara University (8)
10. Manhattan (9)
 
2012-13 MAAC Men's Swimming & Diving
Preseason Poll (2012 Championship Finish)
1. Marist College (1)
2. Rider University (2)
3. Loyola University (3)
4. Iona College (4)
5. Canisius College (5)
6. Siena College (7)
7. Fairfield University (6)
8. Niagara University (8)
9. St. Peter's University (9)
10. Manhattan (10)