The Richmond women’s swimming and diving team has been selected as the favorites to win the 2017 Atlantic 10 Conference Swimming and Diving Championship, according to a poll conducted of the league’s head coaches. The league announced the poll Thursday with several A-10 teams beginning their seasons this weekend.

Richmond, winners of six consecutive A-10 titles and 14 of the last 15, has been predicted to bring home the 2016 A-10 women’s championship. This year’s team brings back sophomore Nicole Piercy, the 2016 Most Outstanding Rookie Performer, as well as Irina Chiulli, the 2015 Most Outstanding Diver. Junior Erin Berry also returns, after competing in the Olympic trials earlier this summer.

Duquesne, runner-up at last year’s championship, was predicted to finish second in this year’s poll. Davidson, Fordham and Massachusetts rounded out the top five and were followed by George Mason, George Washington, La Salle, Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure and Saint Louis.

The 2017 A-10 Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship will be held February 15-18 at the SPIRE Institute located in Geneva, Ohio.

 2017 Women’s Swimming and Diving Predicted Order of Finish

Number in parenthesis indicates first-place votes.

1.       Richmond (10)- 120

2.       Duquesne - 104

3.       Davidson - 93

4.       Fordham (1) - 86

5.       Massachusetts - 79

6.       George Mason - 72

7.       George Washington - 60

8.       La Salle - 35

          Rhode Island - 35

10.    St. Bonaventure - 27

11.    Saint Louis - 15