Fireworks in the Pac-10 Light Up Dual Meet Weekend

By Emily Sampl

BOULDER, Colorado, November 14. WITH several major invitationals set to begin next weekend, this weekend served as a final tune-up for many teams. A handful of swimmers from the Pac-10 asserted themselves as the best in the country in their respective events, while Drury and Kenyon looked strong as well. Here are a few highlights from the weekend.

The biggest fireworks of the weekend came out of the Pac-10. On Friday, USC and Arizona lit up McDonald's Swim Stadium in an exciting battle. The Trojan women and Wildcat men swam away with the victories, both by a score of 190-110.

On the women's side, USC's Katinka Hosszu led the way with two pool records and three wins—her victories came in the 200 free (1:45.83), 200 breast (2:13.31) and 400 IM (4:08.71). Haley Anderson also had an impressive meet, outdueling her sister, Wildcat Alyssa Anderson, in both the 1000 (9:46.43) and 500 free (4:45.38). Meanwhile, Lyndsey DePaul threw down the fastest times in the nation thus far in the 100 fly (52.77) and 200 fly (1:54.90). For Arizona, freshman Margo Geer continued her domination of the sprint free events this season, winning the 50 in 22.83 and extending her lead over the rest of the nation in the 100 with a 49.00.

A handful of Arizona men had outstanding meets to propel the Wildcats to victory. Nimrod Shapira Bar-Or became the first swimmer in Division I to break 1:36.00 in the 200 free and 44.00 in the 100 free this year, winning both events in 1:35.96 and 43.81. Kevin Munsch established himself as the fastest breaststroker in the country so far, with top times of 55.01 in the 100 and 1:58.33 in the 200, while teammate Carl Mickelson finished just behind in both races in 55.02 and 1:58.50. A.J. Tipton added his name to the list of multiple-event winners with wins in the 100 fly (47.78) and 200 fly (1:45.81), both the fastest in the country. Cory Chitwood (200 back, 1:44.58) and Austen Thompson (400 IM, 3:52.08) also had solid swims for Arizona.

Vlad Morozov, Swimming World's Male High School Swimmer of the Year last year, had a weekend to remember for the Trojans. After placing second in both the 50 (20.22) and 100 (43.90) free against Arizona on Friday, Morozov rocketed to a new school record of 42.93 in leading off USC's 400 free relay against Arizona State on Saturday. His time bettered the previous record of 42.98, set by Erik Ran in 1990, before Morozov was even born. He also anchored the Trojans' opening 400 medley relay in 43.00.

On the East Coast, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Princeton took part in a three-team meet at Virginia's Aquatic and Fitness Center. Cavalier Matt McLean posted the top time in Division I in the 500 free (4:24.12) and mile (15:12.86) and added a win in the 200 free (1:37.42). Teammate Lauren Perdue was also a triple event winner, as she touched first in the 50 free (22.91), 100 free (49.67) and 200 free (1:48.13).

In Division II, Drury was busy this weekend as they squared off against Kansas and North Dakota on Saturday. Two Panther swimmers posted several B-cuts at the meet. Li Tao swam the fastest time in the 100 fly thus far in Division II with a 56.79, while also posting B-cuts in the 200 fly (2:08.72) and 100 free (53.53). For the men, Jun Han Kim posted an A-cut in the 200 fly with a 1:48.76 and just missed to more A-cuts in the 100 fly (48.97) and 200 IM (1:52.29).

Perennial Division III power Kenyon raced against Miami-Ohio this weekend, posting some quick times in the process. Anna Connolly (200 free, 1:53.27 and 100 free, 52.13), Kellyn Caldwell (4:32.78, 400 IM), Andrew Chevalier (400 IM, 4:03.67), Andrew Butler (400 IM, 4:05.28), Ian Stewart-Bates (100 free, 45.91) and Michael Mpitsos (200 back, 1:52.51) swam to NCAA B-cuts in their respective events, while Lauren Brady grabbed an A-cut in the 200 fly with a 2:04.13.

Check out the College Channel for complete coverage.

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