Bulldogs tabbed second in NEC Preseason Poll

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's swimming and diving team has been picked to finish second in the Northeast Conference, as announced by the league in its annual preseason poll on Tuesday.

The Bulldogs graduated four swimmers from last season's team that finished second at the conference championships.

Central Connecticut was picked to finish at the top of the league after winning their third consecutive title last season. The Blue Devils received seven of the available eight first-place votes with Bryant receiving the other.

Wagner and Saint Francis U rounded out the top half of the rankings. LIU Brooklyn, Sacred Heart, Mount St. Mary's and St. Francis Brooklyn complete the bottom half as teams get ready to begin meets this weekend.

The Bulldogs retain most of their core from a season ago, with Nicole Salzano (Elmwood Park, N.J.) and Jillian Rice (Trumbull, Conn.) returning from last year's team. The two combined for 35 victories and 61 top three finishes last season.

In the diving circuit, 2016-17 NEC Diving Coach of the Year, Chuck LoCurto, returns both of his NCAA Zone "A" qualifiers from last season in Kelci Abernethy (Chandler, Ariz.) and Stephanie Jennings (Elmont, N.Y.). The two were the first in program history to qualify for a NCAA Zone meet. 

Bryant begins their season on Friday when they host Boston College in the first of four straight meets at home. The entire schedule is listed here.