BURNSVILLE - The 2022-23 NSIC Swimming & Diving Preseason poll released today with the Cougars being picked 4th. Elizabeth Spaans was named USF's Swimmer to Watch.

After a 4^th place finish at the NSIC Championships last year the Cougars look to return to the top-three after breaking a streak of four-straight third-place finishes. At the 2022 NSIC Championships, USF scored 570 points and collected six medals but fell to 4th for the first time in five years. With only two seniors graduating from the team, the Coo will open the year with their second largest team in program history. Head Coach Chris Hamstra will have the top 10 scorers from last years team return as well as an influx of 11 new swimmers. 

"We are really excited about this year's team. We have a good mix of returners and new swimmers. They are going to be able to push each other and lift each other up to new heights. Yalla Coo!" - Head Coach Chris Hamstra

Last season marked the third straight year that three or more Cougars were invited to the NCAA Championships and the team aims to increase that number to cap off the 2022-23 campaign. Spaans received her 4th invite to the event last year as she competed in the 100 Back and 200 IM. Inte Pas and Ilinde du Plessis received their first invites to the event with Pas competing in the 100 Breast and 200 Breast and du Plessis competing in the 100 Back, 200 Back, and 200 Free.

Pas kicked off her Cougar career with a bang by recording multiple B cut times, winning a title at the NSIC Championships, and being invited to the NCAA Championships. At the NSIC Championships she set a personal best mark and claimed the title in the 200 Breast with a B cut time of 2:16.80. The freshman, who was named Swimmer of the Week in 2021-22, placed 28th in the 100 Breast and 17th in the 200 Breast at the NCAA Championships.

du Plessis was the 19th highest scorer at the 2022 NSIC Championships despite not medaling. During the event she set five personal best marks, secured three B cut times, and placed 4th in two events. At the NCAA Championships she placed 16th in the 100 Back, 31st in the 200 Back, and 39th in the 200 Free. The South African native is entering her junior year.

For the second year in a row, USF's Swimmer to Watch is Spaans who returns for the 5^th year of her decorated career. Last year Spaans scored the 3^rd most points at the NSIC Championships and claimed three medals including titles in the 100 IM, 200 IM, and 800 Free Relay (team). She also broke five personal records and additionally set the NSIC record in the 200 IM with a time of 2:03.41. Each year of Spaans career has culminated in a trip to the NCAA Championships either as an individual or as part of a relay team, she'll certainly look to achieve a feat few others have and make it five consecutive trips. 

"We are so excited Lizzy decided to come back for her 5th year. She made huge steps last year and we believe she still has more in the tank. This is Lizzy's 4th year as a Captain, this kind of leadership is invaluable." - Head Coach Chris Hamstra

Ursula Demarquet has been busy this offseason as she qualified for the XII South American Games. The senior will represent her native country of Ecuador at the event while boasting the second fastest time in the 50 LCM(long-course meters) Free in her country. Stay tuned to usfcougars.com for a more in depth look at Demarquet and this event!

Preseason Poll

Despite claiming the NSIC title for the second straight year, Minnesota State Mankato received just as many points as St. Cloud State in the poll. SCSU actually edges MSU Mankato by one first place vote to stand at the top of the leaderboard. USF receives 43 points placing them just eight behind 3rd place Augustana. As has been usual for the NSIC in recent history, the top four places stand out heavily from the remaining five with a 13 point gap between 4th and 5th place.

The full article from the NSIC on the 2022-23 Swimming and Diving Preseason Poll can be found here.

Be sure to download the new USF Cougars app to follow along whenever the Cougars hit the road! Follow The Coo on Twitter and Instagram for updates all season long.