Feb. 28, 2006

By DAWN HARMON, NAIA Sports Information

ST. PETERS, Mo. - Approximately 250 student-athletes will converge in St. Peters for the 2006 NAIA Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving National Championships March 1-4.  Hosted by Lindenwood University (Mo.), the championships make a splash with the diving competition beginning on Wednesday.

Simon Fraser University (B.C.) will look to add to its record 17 men's team national titles.  The three-time defending champ will get stiff competition from California Baptist University.  The Lancers have finished as runner-ups for the last six years.  Last year's event, also held in St. Peters, saw Simon Fraser set new meet records in five men's events- four relays and a diving record.

California Baptist stole the women's title away from Simon Fraser in 2005, breaking a five-year dominance by The Clan.  In its runner-up finish, Simon Fraser women set three new meet records and have a championship record of 10 team national titles.

The two teams finished at #1 and #2 for both the men's and women's national ratings.  California Baptist has held the top spot in each of the three ratings this season.  SFU has been #2 all three times as well.

Visit the NAIA Web site for results and releases.  You can order championship photos at www.dajrphoto.com.