SOMERS, WI -- The University of Delaware women’s swimming and diving team was ranked 17th among all Division I Mid-Major programs as selected by CollegeSwimming.com.

The rankings are based on each team's best dual meet lineup as judged and submitted by participating teams. The poll is announced four times throughout the season and entries are due on November 14 (Pre-Invite), December 20 (Post-Invite), February 6 (Pre-Conference), and March 6 (post-conference).

The Blue Hens currently sport a 7-1 record, including a 3-1 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association. They have swept their last two dual meets and split the third after posting back-to-back wins over George Mason and Georgetown to start the season.

Delaware is led by Maryann Walker, the reigning conference champion in the 200 backstroke, who was named the CAA Swimmer of the Week on October 27. During the season, she has posted seven individual victories, including three against Georgetown.

Freshman Cortney Barry has also had a great season, capturing a team-high nine individual events. This season, she has won the 500 and 1,000 freestyle competitions four times each, while she was also victorious in the 1,650 free during the Hens’ tri-meet against Old Dominion and Northeastern.

Co-captains Sarah Begley and Michelle Stephens (above) have also helped propel the Blue Hens this year, while freshman Meghan Barber has won the 100 breaststroke during three separate meets.

In the CollegeSwimming.com rankings, Harvard was the top-ranked team, earning 202.90 points. UC-Irvine finished second, while Columbia, Denver, and Western Kentucky rounded out the top-five.

Fellow CAA member UNC-Wilmington was selected 20th in the poll, while Vermont, whom Delaware defeated earlier this season, placed 24th.

The Blue Hen swimming and diving teams conclude their fall season with the H2Ounds Invitational hosted by Loyola on November 30-December 1. Delaware will then resume its schedule on January 5 when the Hens host Towson at 1 p.m.

AGATE:

2007 CollegeSwimming.com Mid-Major Rankings: 1. Harvard; 2. UC-Irvine; 3. Columbia; 4. Denver; 5. Western Kentucky; 6. Toledo; 7. Towson; 8. UW-Milwaukee; 9. Davidson; 10. Missouri State; 11. UMBC; 12. North Texas; 13. Illinois State; 14. La Salle; 15. Rider; 16. Dartmouth; 17. Delaware; 18. New Mexico State; 19. Bucknell; 20. UNC-Wilmington; 21. Massachusetts; 22. Florida Gulf Coast; 23. San Jose State; 24. Vermont; 25. Wright State.