PISCATAWAY, NJ – The Rutgers women’s swimming and diving team enters the 2002-03 season ranked 24th by the College Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA). In the association’s first poll of the season, Auburn took top honors.

The ranking is the highest for a Rutgers women’s swimming team in more than 20 years. The Scarlet Knights join fellow BIG EAST schools Notre Dame (14) and Miami (19) in the polls.

The women went 7-2 last season, with a perfect 6-0 mark in the BIG EAST last season to finish second in the conference. The Scarlet Knights placed 29th at the NCAA Championships.

Rutgers will open the season Saturday, Nov. 2, in Morgantown, WV, to face West Virginia at 12 p.m.