ATHENS, Ga. - The Georgia women's swimming team has once again added another honor to its long list of accomplishments. The Lady Bulldogs were named the 2000-01 Dual-Meet National Poll Champion as announced by the College Swimming Coaches of America Association on Thursday.

"We are really happy for the team," head coach Jack Bauerle said. "It is a nice feather in the cap for our women. We raced really well this season. It was a challenging year with all the injuries we faced."

This is the first season that the CSCAA has given this award, and the team will be recognized at the 2001 NCAA Championships in New York next month. The poll was compiled by votes from the eight member of the Poll Committee.

"This is a tremendous honor," added Bauerle, " and we are certainly proud of the team. Now it is time to get ready for the big show."

The men's and women's swimming teams will be competing at the Southeastern Conference Championships beginning Feb. 21. The four-day event will take place in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama. The women are the three-time defending SEC Champion, and the men hope to improve on last season's fourth-place finish.