AZUSA, CALIF. – For the fourth time in the past 5 years, Azusa Pacific opens a new campaign as a ranked team in the NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll.

The Cougars, who were 9-1 last year and finished the 2002 season ranked No. 16 in the final poll, open this season ranked No. 12 in the 2003 NAIA Preseason Poll, receiving 205 points from the 16-member rating committee.

Defending national champion Carroll College (Mont.), which will visit Azusa Pacific in 2004, received 15 first-place votes and as a result is the preseason top-ranked team, followed by perennial power Georgetown College (Ky.). University of Sioux Falls, which received the other first-place vote, is No. 3.

Rounding out the top 5 are McKendree College (Ill.) at No. 4, and Azusa Pacific rival Southern Oregon at No. 5. The Red Raiders visit the Canyon City on Oct. 18 for their annual meeting with the Cougars.

Azusa Pacific, which was not ranked in last year’s preseason poll, was the top-ranked team in the 1999 preseason poll, No. 5 in the 2000 preseason poll, and No. 21 in 2001.

The Cougars return 18 starters from last year’s 9-1 team, including 10 on defense. The squad concludes nearly 2-weeks of 2-a-days today, and tomorrow turns its focus toward the University of San Diego and the Sept. 6 season-opener in San Diego.

Click here to view the complete 2003 NAIA Preseason Poll.