BURNSVILLE, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's swimming and diving team has been picked to finish first in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

MSU received six first-place votes and 77 points to claim the top spot in the poll. Augustana followed in second with three first-place votes and 74 points, while St. Cloud State received one first-place vote and 68 points to take the third spot.

Sophomore Averi Larsen was named MSU's Swimmer to Watch, while junior Natalie Freeman was named MSU's Diver to Watch. Last season Larsen, finished first at the NSIC Championships in the 200 IM event (2:05.65) and second in the 100 freestyle event (51.07). Freeman took fourth place in the 3-meter diving (385.10) and fifth place in the 1-meter diving (403.40) events at the NSIC Championships.

The Mavericks open their schedule on Friday, Oct. 3, as they travel to Vermillion, S.D. to take of the University of South Dakota.