GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.— The Colorado Mesa University swimming and diving teams are both highly ranked in the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America's Division II Preseason Top 25 National Rankings, which the association released this week.
 
The Maverick women are ranked third while the men are tabbed fourth.
 
Both CMU squads finished third at last year's NCAA Division II National Championships, were also selected as unanimous favorites in last week's Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Polls.
 
The national rankings are voted on by committees of Division II coaches representing a cross-section of programs and conferences throughout the country. Poll committee members evaluate teams based on head-to-head performances, nationally ranked performances, significant performances achieved since the previous poll, results from invitational and championship-style competition, and the quality and depth of performances across events.

Together, these criteria are intended to provide a comprehensive assessment of each program's performance at the time of the poll, while recognizing the different competitive opportunities and formats that occur throughout the collegiate season.
 
The Maverick women received 231 points in the national poll, trailing only Nova Southeastern (245) and Tampa (242).  Drury (218) and Indianapolis (206) round out the top five while Grand Valley State, Catawba, Delta State, Findlay and Wingate make up the rest of the top ten.
 
The Mavs are the first of three RMAC squads in the poll, ahead of No. 12 Colorado School of Mines and No. 13 Simon Fraser.   Oklahoma Christian is also receiving votes for the top 25 poll.
 
On the men's side, the Mavericks are receiving 220 points to sit behind Drury (243), Tampa (241) and Indianapolis (228).  Wingate is ranked fifth with 200 while McKendree, Grand Valley State, Findlay, Florida Southern and Nova Southeastern.
 
Mines, ranked 18^th is the only other RMAC men's team in the top 25 although Oklahoma Christian and Simon Fraser are both receiving votes.
 
The Mavericks will open their season this weekend hosting the Intermountain Shootout on Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m.