NCAA Division I Preview

women’s ncaa preview Sponsored By:

in its history

by jason marsteller

grasp

photos by peter h . bick

leverenz , cal

( top );

elizabeth pelton , cal

10

March.indd 10

( bottom )

[ photo

pictured > caitlin

by kaitlin b . kelly ]

Coach Teri McKeever’s squad can set the stage for a piece of history by capturing the women’s NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships. If the men follow suit a week later, the Golden Bears would become only the second Division I school to win both the women’s and men’s titles three years in a row.

S

wimming World is riding the University of California bandwagon this year by picking both its men and women to win the NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships for the third straight year. Only Stanford has accomplished

the feat, with its women’s and men’s squads winning the team titles in 1992-94.

After the women’s (March 21-23) and men’s (March 28-30) meets— both being held at the IU Natatorium and IUPUI Sports Complex in Indianapolis—coaches Teri McKeever (women) and Dave Durden (men) should join Stanford coaches Richard Quick (women) and Skip Kenney (men) as the only Division I coaches to pull off a double threepeat.

March 2013

2/22/13 2:36 PM

n

Swimming World Magazine’s Top 10 school

2012 finish

2012 points

points returning

points lost

scorers returning

cal

1

412.5

201.5

211.0

8

Georgia

2

366.0

272.5

93.5

10

stanford

4

318.0

191.0

127.0

8 6

texas a&m

6

262.0

181.5

80.5

tennessee

7t

249.0

186.0

63.0

7

arizona

5

299.0

176.5

122.5

7

usc

3

325.5

176.0

149.5

9

auburn

7t

249.0

129.0

120.0

9

texas

9

201.0

121.5

79.5

8

florida

10

160.0

86.5

73.5

6

1. CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS

McKeever’s squad just continues to reload with ridiculously talented swimmers. After losing senior stalwarts Sara Isakovic and Liv Jensen—both NCAA titlists a year ago—the Golden Bears added Olympian Rachel Bootsma and American record holder Elizabeth Pelton. And, lest we forget, this year’s top high school recruit, Olympian Missy Franklin, has already committed to Cal for a two-year stint beginning with the 2013-14 season.

But even without Franklin, this year’s team is more than ready to meet the challenge, returning 201.5 points of the 412.5 it scored to win its second straight championship.

In addition to the remarkable new talent, Cal also has outstanding veteran leadership with senior Caitlin Leverenz and junior Cindy Tran. Leverenz, who claimed a bronze medal at the recent Olympics in the 200 meter IM, accounted for a hefty 77 points a year ago with a pair of NCAA titles in the 200 yard breast and 200 IM. She also helped her team to wins in the 200 and 400 medley relays. Meanwhile, Tran—the reigning 100 back NCAA titlist— will have some seriously intense competition at this year’s NCAAs from her own teammates, Bootsma and Pelton.

Cal also has a solid nucleus of point scorers returning with Stephanie Au, Kaylin Bing, Catherine Breed, Melanie Klaren and Caroline Piehl, as well as diver Kahley Rowell, who finished fifth on the platform

last year as a sophomore. And in addition to Bootsma and Pelton, Coach McKeever welcomes freshmen Rachael Acker, Lauren Driscoll and Kelly Naze, who all have the potential to make an impact for Cal.

2. GEORGIA BULLDOGS

On paper, Georgia could very well have been this year’s No. 1 preseason pick. After all, it has nearly its entire squad (272.5 points—71 more than Cal) returning from last year’s second-place squad that tallied 366 points. And Olympic gold medalist Allison Schmitt returns to the fold after a redshirt season. The Bulldogs also add point-scoring diving transfer Laura Ryan from Indiana.

Schmitt will be looking for her fourth NCAA triumph in the 500 free as well as her third victory in the 200.

In 2011, she also anchored Georgia to wins in the 400 and 800 freestyle relays and will likely push her team to some major points in those same four events.

Georgia has 10 returning point scorers from its 2012 team, including a trio of big guns in Melanie Margalis, Amber McDermott and Megan Romano. Romano was spectacular last year with stunning relay splits as well as a victory in the 200 free and a pair of runner-up efforts in the 100 back and 100 free.

Kelsey Gaid, Jessica Graber, Lauren Harrington, Madeline Locus, Jordan Mattern and Megan Molnar are also back.

— continued on 12

pictured > cindy tran , cal

( top ); megan ( middle , top ); melanie margalis , georgia ( middle , bottom ); amber m c dermott , georgia ( bottom )

romano , georgia

March 2013

March.indd 11

11

2/22/13 2:37 PM

WOmen’s ncaa preview—continued from 11

3. STANFORD CARDINAL

After a fourth-place finish a year ago, Stanford should move up a spot, as it returns a bulky 191 points from its 318 in 2012. The losses of Betsy Webb and Sam Woodward—both key members of the victorious 200 and 400 freestyle relays—will hurt the Cardinal, but first-year coach Greg Meehan has the talent for a topthree finish.

Leading the way for Stanford will be junior Maya Dirado, senior Andie Murez and sophomore Maddy Schaefer, who scored nearly all of its returning points. Meanwhile, emotional leader Felicia Lee is bouncing back nicely from shoulder surgery in the fall and should match or exceed her 18-point effort from 2012.

Point scorers Sara Giberson, Katie Olsen, Stephanie Phipps and Andie Taylor also return. And freshman Sarah Haase should make some noise in the breaststroke events.

4. TEXAS A&M AGGIES

pictured > felicia lee , stanford

breeja larson , texas a & m

( top );

( middle );

camille adams , texas a&m

12

March.indd 12

( bottom )

It never hurts to have a pair of Olympians on your team, and that’s exactly what the Aggies have in stars Breeja Larson and Cammile Adams.

Larson, the American record holder in both the 100 and 200 yard breast, claimed an Olympic gold medal in London as a prelim swimmer on the USA’s triumphant 400 medley relay.

She’s also the returning NCAA champ in the 100 breast. Adams, meanwhile, picked up second in the 200 fly at NCAAs a year ago.

March 2013

2/22/13 2:37 PM

1

While Larson and Adams share the spotlight for Texas A&M, Caroline McElhany and Paige Miller, who both accounted for more than 30 points last year, will also contribute to the team’s success, as will Erica Dittmer and Maureen McLaine. Meanwhile, sophomore Sarah Henry seems to have shaken off her multiple knee injuries after joining the squad as a Swimming World six-star recruit as a freshman.

5. TENNESSEE LADY VOLUNTEERS

Even though head coach Matt Kredich has had to double his workload after being asked to take over a newly merged men’s and women’s swimming and diving program, the Lady Volunteers certainly haven’t shown any signs of slowing down the dramatic trajectory that pushed them into a seventhplace tie a year ago.

UT returns 186 points of the 249 it scored in 2012. Although the Lady Vols lost backstroke/butterfly star Jenny Connolly to graduation, a core group of seven returning point scorers makes up the bulk of the Big Orange attack this year. All-around star Kelsey Floyd is in her senior year after scoring 64 points in 2012, while junior Lindsay Gendron and senior Caroline Simmons both return after scoring more than 30 points each last year. Molly Hannis (breast/IM) and Kate McNeillis (back/free) round out the returning swimmers who scored points a year ago, while divers

pictured > kelsey

floyd , tennessee

( top );

lindsay

gendron , tennessee

( middle );

molly

hannis , tennessee

( bottom )

— continued on 14 March 2013

March.indd 13

13

2/22/13 2:37 PM

[ photo

provided by university of arizona ]

WOmen’s ncaa preview—continued from 13

platform last year—and springboard specialist Jodie McGroarty are back in the fold.

Tennessee also welcomes one of the top sprint freestyle recruits in the nation in Faith Johnson from North Carolina.

6. ARIZONA WILDCATS

While the Wildcats are still easily a top-10 team, the massive amount of transfers both in and out of the program are likely to push Arizona out of the top five. Arizona lost point scorers Sarah Denninghoff and Aubrey Peacock, who transferred to Texas and Auburn, respectively, but welcomed Deborah Roth from California. U of A will still be strong, led by sprint star Margo Geer, who finished in the top three in the 50 and 100 free a year ago.

7. USC TROJANS

Coach Dave Salo certainly has a talented squad at USC, returning Olympic silver medalist Haley Anderson—not to mention eight other point scorers, including Kasey Carlson, Stina Gardell, Meghan Hawthorne, Lynette Lim, Lindsay Parrish, Jessicah Schmitt, Christel Simms and Yumi So. USC also finally gets the services of Duke diving transfer Haley Ishimatsu, who battled injuries last year. Freshman Jasmine Tosky will also almost certainly score some big points after a sterling prep career.

8. AUBURN TIGERS pictured > margo geer , arizona

( top );

kasey carlson , usc

( middle );

laura sogar , texas

( bottom )

Auburn might have a large nucleus of nine returning point scorers, but the loss of sprint superstar Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace will definitely hurt. Last year, she scored 80 points, including a victory in the 100 free as well as epic legs on four pointscoring relays. Olivia Scott, runner-up in the 100 fly a year ago, will lead the rest of the Tigers at this year’s championships.

9. TEXAS LONGHORNS

First-year coach Carol Capitani welcomes transfer Sarah Denninghoff from Arizona, who

14

March.indd 14

March 2013

2/22/13 2:37 PM

3

finished fourth in both the 100 and 200 back last year. But Texas will certainly miss Karlee Bispo, who graduated after scoring 73 points in 2012. Fortunately for the Longhorns, the bulk of the team’s relays returns, and Laura Sogar will challenge instate rival Breeja Larson as the top breaststroker at NCAAs.

10. FLORIDA GATORS

The 2010 NCAA champions have had a rough time replicating the magic of their title run in 2010, falling to 10th a year ago. The Gators are looking at another likely 10thplace finish. However, any team with the likes of Olympic silver medalist Elizabeth Beisel can be counted on for fireworks this March. Also, don’t forget Canadian Olympian Sinead Russell, who could challenge for backstroke titles.

OTHERS TO WATCH

While Indiana has definitely fallen off the top-10 radar, the Hoosiers can always count on diving for major points at NCAAs. Olympian Lauren Perdue could help Virginia crack the top 10, while UCLA and Minnesota could make a run among the elite teams as well. v

pictured > karlee bispo , texas

( top );

olivia scott , auburn

( middle ); elizabeth beisel , florida ( bottom )

Total Access members click here to read about key news stories during the collegiate dual meet season at www.SwimmingWorldMagazine.com.

March 2013

March.indd 15

15

2/22/13 2:37 PM

men’s ncaa preview Sponsored By:

A tri

targeting

fecta

by john lohn

photos by peter h . bick

The University of California-Berkeley

has what it takes to add a third straight men’s team title at this year’s NCAA Division I Swimming

C

and Diving Championships.

pictured > tom

shields , cal

( top );

marcin tarczynski , cal

16

March.indd 16

( bottom )

onsidering California is among the states that have the most earthquakes in the U.S., maybe it’s fitting that the University of California is rocking the collegiate swimming world. The Golden Bears have won back-to-back NCAA men’s championships after Coach Dave Durden’s program fell

just a few points shy of capturing the 2010 crown.

Durden has clearly elevated the expectations and performances in Berkeley, so much so that championship aspirations are the norm—especially this season. With 59 percent of its scoring returning from last year’s squad—a group headlined

by Tom Shields—Cal appears poised to become the first school since Auburn (2003-07) to reel off at least a trifecta of titles among the men.

Here’s Swimming World’s picks for this year’s top 10:

March 2013

2/22/13 2:37 PM

A

n

k

Swimming World Magazine’s Top 10 school

2012 finish

2012 points

points returning

points lost

scorers returning

cal

1

535.5

318.5

217.0

11

stanford

3

426.5

277.5

149.0

8

michigan

5

271.0

213.5

57.5

10

texas

2

491.0

214.5

276.5

7

arizona

4

396.0

215.5

180.5

8

USC

7

370.0

192.0

178.0

14

auburn

6

254.5

179.0

75.5

7

florida

8

157.0

139.5

17.5

9

Georgia

11

106.5

89.5

17.0

6

ohio state

12

106.0

68.0

38.0

7

1. CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS

The quest for a third straight championship will undoubtedly be keyed by Tom Shields, the senior short-course stud who is coming off individual NCAA crowns in the 100 back and 100 fly, along with a second-place showing in the 200 fly. He could very well close out his NCAA career with a sweep of his individual events—only teammate Will Hamilton, now a sophomore, kept him from accomplishing the feat a year ago.

Shields heads into this year’s NCAAs with increased experience on the global stage. He took the fall semester off to compete in the World Cup and World Short Course Championships, where he finished second in the 100 fly and third in the 50 fly.

“For him, it was a matter of racing some of the best in the world, and you get to do that on the World Cup circuit,” Durden said of Shields. “The great thing about (those eight meets) is they have short breaks between each of them. You get to race a lot— there’s a lot of value in that.”

Of the 535.5 points Cal scored last season, the Bears return 318.75.

Marcin Tarczynski, a native of Poland, is the reigning champion in the 200 IM and scored in both backstroke events, while Hamilton, besides his 200 fly victory, tallied points in the 200 and 500 free. Trevor Hoyt was a finalist in the 100 and 200 breast.

Other individual scorers who are returning include Shayne Fleming, Christian Higgins, Ben Hinshaw, Adam

Hinshaw and Seth Stubblefield.

Freshmen Jacob Pebley (back) and Josh Prenot (distance free/400 IM) should also score points.

2. STANFORD CARDINAL

Stanford hasn’t won NCAAs since 1998 despite having several teams that were in the hunt. It doesn’t appear as if this group has the power to hang with Cal, but Stanford definitely has an opportunity to move up from last year’s third-place finish.

The Cardinal return 277.5 points, a sizable portion of the 426.5 they totaled in 2012.

The presence of David Nolan is a huge boost for Stanford. In his first collegiate campaign, he was the runner-up in both backstrokes and placed third in the 200 IM. Without question, he has the ability to prevail in any of his three events. He’s joined as an up-front performer by sprinter Aaron Wayne, who was fourth last year in both the 50 and 100 free.

A major boost will come from diver Kristian Ipsen, a 2012 Olympic bronze medalist in the threemeter synchronized competition, who netted 44 points over three events last year. Teammate Drew Cosgarea also scored in three events: 500/1650 free and 400 IM. Meanwhile, Matt Thompson (200 back/400 IM) and Matthew Swanston (back) were double-event scorers.

Gray Umbach, one of the top recruits in the country, has the potential to score in the 100 fly and 200 IM. — continued on 18

pictured > kristian ipsen , stanford

( top );

david nolan ,

stanford

( bottom )

March 2013

March.indd 17

17

2/22/13 2:37 PM

men’s ncaa preview—continued from 17

3. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Don’t be surprised if Coach Mike Bottom’s squad finishes as high as No. 2, given the fact that Michigan returns 213.5 of 271 points and loses only the contributions of Dan Madwed from a fifth-place team.

Connor Jaeger, a 2012 Olympian in the 1500, is a major threat to prevail in the 500 and 1650 this year. He was third last year in the mile, and is joined in the distance contingent by Sean Ryan (26 points last year) and Ryan Feeley. Kyle Whitaker, who was the 2012 silver medalist in the 400 IM and also scored in the 200 IM, is a threat to take the longer medley.

Sean Fletcher is a standout in butterfly, and Miguel Ortiz and Bruno Ortiz bolster several events, including the sprints, backstroke and fly. Expect steady performances, too, from Michael Wynalda (free) and John Wojciechowski (fly).

Zach Turk, a transfer from Kenyon College, will be a top sprinter.

Hassaan Abdel Khalik returns to distance freestyle, Richard Funk can score in breaststroke, and Dylan Bosch can contribute in fly and IM.

4. TEXAS LONGHORNS

pictured > connor jaeger , michigan

( top ); texas

18

March.indd 18

dax hill , ( bottom )

Although not as stacked as in past years, Texas still has a solid team.

Coach Eddie Reese’s squad was hit hard by its losses from a year ago—especially in diving—but the Longhorns still return 214.5 of the 491 points they scored en route to finishing second.

At the top of the lineup sits Dax Hill, the reigning NCAA champ in the 200 free, who should also score in the 100. Hill and Clay Youngquist (fifth in the 200) will be significant factors in relay duty as well.

Cole Cragin and Kip Darmody both tallied points in each backstroke event last year, while Austin Surhoff— the 200 IM champ in 2010—scored in the 200 back and both IMs. Michael McBroom is another former NCAA champion, having won the 1650 in 2011. He’s looking to return to the top of the podium this year. Texas will also look to Charlie Moore, John Murray, Kerrington Hill

March 2013

2/22/13 2:37 PM

and Ben Anderson to add to the team’s scoring.

5. ARIZONA WILDCATS

With 215.5 of 396 points returning from last year’s fourth-place team, Arizona has a solid base for 2013.

One of those returnees is Kevin Cordes, who has to be considered the favorite in both breaststroke events, given the way he has moved up the global rankings and demonstrated incredible short-course skill.

Giles Smith was the runner-up in the 100 fly in 2012 and also looms as a huge factor in the 100 free and on relays. Carl Mickelson, fourth in both breaststrokes, is back, while Woody Joye, a transfer from Texas last year, adds depth in butterfly and is a likely scorer in the 200 IM. Mitchell Friedemann has been an individual scorer in the 100 back, while Matt Barber tallied points in the 500. Also helping the cause for the Wildcats will be Nimrod Shapira Bar-Or returning from a redshirt season. Bar-Or, who scored in three previous NCAAs, will add an immediate spark to the freestyle events.

6. USC TROJANS

The Trojans, who return 178 of the 192 points scored by last year’s seventh-place team, will seek to crack the top five this year. Without question, the lightning on the roster is sprint sensation Vlad Morozov, who roared at the recent World Short Course Championships, capturing gold medals in the 50 and 100 free.

Dimitri Colupaev was second in the 200 free at last year’s NCAAs and is likely to score again in the 100 in 2013, while Alex Lendrum (back/IM) looks to be a multi-event contributor.

A key for the Trojans will be Cristian Quintero’s ability to continue the success he had as a freshman, when he was second in the 500 and ninth in both the 200 free and 1650.

Chad Bobrosky is a returning scorer in the 500, and Chase Bloch will be important in medley relay duty. Look for freshman Maclin Davis to score in the 100 fly.

— continued on 20

pictured > giles smith , arizona

( top );

kevin cordes ,

arizona

( middle );

vlad morozov , usc

( bottom )

March 2013

March.indd 19

19

2/22/13 2:37 PM

men’s ncaa preview—continued from 19

7. AUBURN TIGERS

The ultimate goal for Auburn is to return to its glory days when it won six of seven NCAA men’s titles between 2003 and 2009. For now, though, finishing in the top five is a realistic focus. The Tigers bring back 179 of the 254.5 points they scored while finishing sixth last year. There are seven returning scorers, paced by Brazilian Marcelo Chierighini, second in the 100 free and 15th in the 50.

Zane Grothe scored in all three distance free events, and James Disney-May is another reliable freestyler. The Tigers will also count on contributions from Kyle Owens (back/IM) and Stuart Ferguson (breast).

8. FLORIDA GATORS

Florida will push for another top10 showing, returning 139.5 of last year’s 157 points. Marcin Cieslak, second in the 200 IM and third in both butterfly events, supplied a considerable portion of those points.

He’ll be joined as a multi-event scorer by sprinter Brad DeBorde.

South African Sebastien Rousseau returns from a redshirt season and is a scoring threat in a number of events, while freshman Arthur Frayler is an elite distance freestyler with scoring potential in the 500 and 1650.

chierighini , auburn

( top );

marcin

cieslak , florida

( bottom )

20

March.indd 20

March 2013

2/22/13 2:37 PM

[ photo

pictured > marcelo

Georgia finished 11th last year, but with 89.5 of 106.5 points returning, the potential to return to the top 10 is realistic. It also helps that the Bulldogs boast one of the top freshmen in the country in Chase Kalisz. Considered a possible future star for the U.S., Kalisz will be a major presence in the IMs and 200 breast.

Georgia also features a strong distance corps headed by Martin Grodzki, the reigning NCAA champ in the 500 and 1650, and bolstered by Andrew Gemmell and Will Freeman.

Nicolas Fink is a returning scorer in the 200 breast, and freshman Matt Ellis brings an immediate punch to the sprints.

provided by ohio state athletics ]

9. GEORGIA BULLDOGS

10. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

After last year’s 12th-place finish, moving back into the top 10 appears to be a realistic goal for the Buckeyes, who return 68 of 106 points. OSU is paced by Jason Schnur, who was third in the 50 free a year ago and also scored in the 100. He’ll be aided by the return of redshirt Tim Phillips, who is among the top butterfly performers in the nation.

Diver Christian Holstein can also score points.

Keep an eye on Indiana, especially with its diving depth, while Louisville and Penn State are two other schools that are on the rise. v

Total Access members click here to read about key news stories during the collegiate dual meet season at

[ photo

provided by ohio state athletics ]

[ photo

www.SwimmingWorldMagazine.com.

provided by ohio state athletics ]

OTHERS TO WATCH

pictured > martin grodzki , georgia

( top );

jason schnur ,

ohio state

( bottom )

March 2013

March.indd 21

21

2/22/13 2:37 PM