Midseason Invites Make Impact on CSCAA NCAA Men’s Division I Swimming and Diving Rankings

PHOENIX, Arizona, December 4. IN the final College Swim Coaches Association of America NCAA Men's Division I Swimming and Diving rankings of the fall, Michigan withstood a heavy attack by California to maintain its hold on the top spot. Meanwhile, the Pacific 12 Conference demonstrated its strength by moving three teams into the top five. Additionally, the mid-majors jumped into the fray with some serious movement within the rankings after mid-season invitationals.

The goal of the CSCAA rankings committee this year will be to produce an in-season poll of the 25 best performing teams in rank order at the time of each poll. The poll is not designed to predict the results of the NCAA Championship, but rather which teams would win head-to-head against other teams in the country.

Specifically, the poll committee does not differentiate between the types of meets, or the status of a specific team in terms of rested vs. unrested, when considering votes. Further, rankings are only based on performances that have taken place up to that point in the season, with an emphasis on action from the previous poll.

Notably, Swimming World has been invited as a media member as part of the polling process, and now has a vote in each poll. Jason Marsteller is serving as Swimming World's representative on these calls.

1. MICHIGAN (4-0, Big Ten 3-0)
Last Poll: #1

Results
W, #25 Wisconsin, 172.5-115.5
W, #13 Minnesota, 170-124
W, @ #5 Texas, 194-106
W, #8 Indiana, 223-77
6th, Purdue Invitational, split squad
Since last poll
1st, Hawkeye Invitational

Michigan had another lights out performance while in Iowa City at the Hawkeye Invitational. The Wolverines piled up the NCAA A cuts and are one of the deepest teams in the nation. Olympian Connor Jaeger now ranks at the top of the 500 free (4:14.84) and 1000 free (8:56.34), and is second in the 1650 free (14:43.73). For good measure, he's also ninth in the 400 IM (3:47.43).

Sophomore Richard Funk moved up the ranks in the breaststroke events, third in the 200 (1:54.39) and sixth in the 100 (53.08), while freshman Dylan Bosch (200 fly: 1:43.61), senior Ryan Feeley (1650 free: 14:55.86), senior Miguel Ortiz (100 back: 46.67, 100 fly: 46.79), junior Kyle Whitaker (400 IM: 3:44.68, 200 IM: 1:44.40), junior John Wojciechowski (200 fly: 1:44.89) and junior Michael Wynalda (200 free: 1:34.46) all have swims in the top 10.

2. CALIFORNIA (2-0, Pac 12 0-0)
Last Poll: #3

The only thing that kept California from knocking off Michigan as the top team in the country is that Tom Shields is not currently competing for the Golden Bears. Shields took this semester off to focus on international swimming, with a FINA World Cup tour as well as short course worlds on the docket. If Shields' times counted collegiately so far, he'd lead the country in the 200 fly (1:40.24), and the 100 fly (44.88) and fourth in the 100 back (46.59).

California still has an extremely strong and deep squad without him. Freshman Jacob Pebley (200 back: 1:41.62) and Josh Prenot (400 IM: 3:41.36) lead the country in their respective best events. Pebley also is 15th in the 100 back (47.22), while Prenot is sixth in the 200 breast (1:55.06) and 200 IM (1:44.69). Junior Shayne Fleming (50 free: 19.78), sophomore Fabio Gimondi (100 free: 43.29), sophomore Will Hamilton (200 fly: 1:42.75, 200 IM: 1:45.27), sophomore Adam Hinshaw (500 free: 4:18.53), senior Trevor Hoyt (100 breast: 52.65, 200 breast: 1:54.82) and junior Marcin Tarczynski (200 IM: 1:44.36, 100 fly: 46.89) also are in the top 10 in the nation.

Results
W, Pacific, 141-107
W, #25 Wisconsin, 158-125
Exhibition, #3 Stanford
Since last poll
1st, Georgia Invitational

3. ARIZONA (3-1, Pac 12 0-1)
Last Poll: #13

Results
W, Hawaii, No Score Reported
W, UNLV, 180.5-114.5
W, Denver, 187-113
L, #6 Southern California, 181.5-109.5
Since last poll
Arizona Diving Invitational
U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals

The Arizona Wildcats made a statement in Austin at the U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals with a plethora of stunning performances, vaulting Eric Hansen's squad 10 spots to third in the nation from 13th. Not only did they have some dominant relay outings with NCAA A cut after A cut going up on the boards, the team also boasted two American records from Kevin Cordes. Cordes turned in stunning times of 51.10 in the 100 breast and 1:50.73 in the 200 breast to take ownership of both the American records in those events. Arizona also leads the country with junior Mitchell Friedemann putting up a strong 100 back in 45.93. Notably, junior Giles Smith also had one of the top meets of his life, ranking third in the 100 free (42.63) and 100 fly (45.81) and seventh in the 50 free (19.71).

The Wildcats have a particularly scary men's 100 breaststroke group with senior Carl Mickelson second with a 52.19, junior Kevin Steel fifth with a 52.66 and freshman Andrew Sovero 17th with a 53.65. Mickelson also stands 10th in the 200 breast (1:56.64), while junior Matt Barber is fifth in the 500 free (4:16.62) and 10th in the 200 free (1:35.43).

Meanwhile, junior Woody Joye (200 IM: 1:44.94), senior Nimrod Shapira Bar-Or (200 free: 1:34.86, 200 fly: 1:44.80) and junior Michael Sheppard (200 back: 1:42.77) are also among the top 10.

4. TEXAS (1-1, Big 12 0-0)
Last Poll: #4

Results
1st, Southwest Collegiate Plunge
W, #8 Indiana, 185-115
L, #2 Michigan, 194-106
Diving, Phill Hansel Invite
Since last poll
U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals

The Longhorns had a nice outing in their home pool at the U.S. Winter Short Course nationals, with senior Michael McBroom, senior Austin Surhoff and sophomore Clay Youngquist having strong rankings heading into winter training. McBroom leads the nation in the 1650 free with a 14:40.10, while standing third in the 500 free (4:16.08) and fourth in the 1000 free (9:03.28). Surhoff, meanwhile, is fourth in the 200 IM (1:44.39), while Youngquist (200 free: 1:33.89, 500 free: 4:17.57) is in the top 10 in a pair of events including runner-up in the 200 free. Senior Dax Hill also is one of the team leaders with third in the 200 free (1:34.19) and eighth in the 100 free (43.27).

5. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (3-0, Pac 12 2-0)
Last Poll: #6

Results
W, #14 NC State, 173-119
W, #17 Arizona, 181.5-109.5
W, Arizona State, 144-82
Since last poll
U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals

A pair of time conversions that count in the rankings put junior Vlad Morozov atop the national rankings in the 50 (18.82) and 100 (41.38) freestyle events. Morozov did the times while swimming for Russia at the European Short Course Championships. Those times still count, however, as Morozov is still a member of the Trojans this fall. The case is different than California's Tom Shields, who has swam unattached from the Golden Bears this fall. Senior Alex Lendrum has also been a force for the Trojans with runner-up times in the 200 back (1:42.29) and 200 IM (1:44.24).

Junior Chase Bloch (100 fly: 46.86), sophomore Sergio Lujan-Rivera (100 breast: 53.22), sophomore Cristian Quintero (500 free: 4:16.56, 1650 free: 15:00.79), freshman Ted Singley (1000 free: 9:07.50), sophomore Luca Spinazzola (100 back: 46.87) and junior Jack Wagner (50 free: 19.75) also are among the top 10 in the country in their events.

6. OHIO STATE (4-0, Big Ten 0-0)
Last Poll: #10

Results
W, Cleveland State, 178-104
W, Kenyon, 171-110
W, Denison, 193-98
W, @ #13 Tennessee, 176.5-123.5
Since last poll
Cleveland State Invitational
Ohio State Invitational

The Buckeyes put up some strong times at home, enough to keep getting voted higher and higher by the committee. With its performances, Ohio State jumped four spots, just on the outside looking in for a top 5 spot. OSU is one of the deeper squads in the nation, with an amazing 27 swimmers having times within the top 100 in the nation. This depth gives the team versatility when scoring in dual meet fashion. However, the team only has a trio of swimmers in the top 10 in an event. Sophomore Tamas Gercsak is sixth in the 200 fly with a 1:44.55, while senior Jason Schnur is 10th in the 100 free with a 43.31. Sophomore Steven Zimmerman also has a 10th-ranked swim in the 200 back (1:42.83).

7. FLORIDA (4-0, SEC 3-0)
Last Poll: #5

Results
1st, All Florida Invitational
W, @ #9 Georgia, 192-104
W, @ #12 South Carolina, 166-128
W, #21 Texas A&M, 197-98
W, #19 Florida State, 166-134
Since last poll
2nd, Ohio State Invitational

If not for Arizona and Ohio State putting together some truly outstanding meets, Florida would have remained in the top five. The Gators are incredibly strong overall, with some really tough top-end talent. Senior Sebastien Rousseau and sophomore Dan Wallace lead the way. Rousseau is the top-ranked swimmer in the 200 IM with a 1:44.02, and is second in the 400 IM (3:41.69), fourth in the 200 fly (1:43.01) and fifth in the 200 free (1:34.77). Wallace, meanwhile, is third in the 400 IM (3:44.23) and seventh in the 200 IM (1:44.94). Meanwhile, junior Marcin Cieslak (200 fly: 1:42.88), junior Brad deBorde (50 free: 19.54), freshman Arthur Frayler (1650 free: 14:54.65) and senior Jason Taylor (1000 free: 9:03.34) each have times ranked in the top five.

8. STANFORD (1-0, Pac 12 0-0)
Last Poll: #2

Results
2nd, Pacific Invitational
W, #25 Wisconsin, 184-104
Exhibition, #5 California
1st, Arena Invitational
Since last poll
Ohio State Invitational (diving only)

Stanford really hasn't shown its cards since early in the season, and took a hit in the rankings by dropping from second to eighth. The Cardinal do boast quite a few top 10 times from senior Matt Swanston (200 back: 1:42.54), senior Matt Thompson (200 back: 1:42.70, 400 IM: 3:46.78), freshman Danny Thomson (1000 free: 9:07.19, 1650 free: 15:02.18), and senior Aaron Wayne (100 free: 42.96, 100 fly: 46.85, 200 free: 1:35.31).

9. AUBURN (3-0, SEC 3-0)
Last Poll: #16

Results
W, #20 Alabama, 175-68
W, #22 LSU, 213-87
W, @ Kentucky, 205.5-94.5
Since last poll
Georgia Invitational
Auburn Diving Invitational

The Auburn Tigers rebounded nicely in the rankings with a stellar outing at the Georgia Invitational, vaulting seven spots back into the top 10. Junior Marcelo Chierighini and senior Kyle Owens had particularly strong meets. Chierighini moved to third in the 50 free (19.37) and fourth in the 100 free (42.73), while Owens is now third in the 100 back (46.54) and 200 back (1:42.36). Junior Zane Grothe also cracked the top 10 in the 500 free with a 4:18.39.

10. INDIANA (4-2, Big Ten 1-1)
Last Poll: #7

Results
W, @ Kentucky, 196-104
W, #25 Tennessee, 183-117
L, #2 Michigan, 223-77
L, #5 Texas, 185-115
W, #24 Penn State, 182.5-170.5
W, #8 Virginia, 177-176
Since last poll
U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals (split squad)
Ohio State Invitational (split squad)

The Hoosiers suffered a bit of a drop, down from seventh to 10th, but remained in the top 10 with split-squad performances at the U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals and the Ohio State Invitational. Juniors Cody Miller and Eric Ress are the team leaders with Miller ranked fifth in the 200 breast with a 1:54.89 and Ress seventh in the 200 back with a 1:42.72. IU just lacks the depth that teams ahead of it possess.

11. MINNESOTA (2-1, Big Ten 2-1)
Last Poll: #8

Results
L, @ #2 Michigan, 170-124
W, #25 Wisconsin, 191-100
W, #19 Iowa, 165.5-132.5
NTS, Minnesota Grand Prix
Since last poll
Jean Freeman Invite

The Golden Gophers are another team that is top-heavy, but lacks the depth to contend with the serious speed within the top 10 teams in the country. Sophomore CJ Smith leads the team with a 15th-ranked 1000 free time of 9:10.98, while the rest of the squad owns 17 total top 100 times in the nation.

12. GEORGIA (3-1, SEC 1-1)
Last Poll: #11

Results
W, @ Georgia Tech, 161-133
L, #1 Florida, 192-104
W, Missouri, 151-147
W, Emory, 114-83
Since last poll
Georgia Invitational

The Bulldogs dropped a spot, largely in part to its vast superiority in several events, but lack of versatility overall. Junior Andrew Gemmell (1650 free: 14:59.97), senior Martin Grodzki (1000 free: 9:03.26, 500 free: 4:16.72, 1650 free: 14:57.07), freshman Matias Koski (500 free: 4:15.55, 1000 free: 8:59.81, 1650 free: 14:53.32, 200 free: 1:35.25) and freshman Ty Stewart (400 IM: 3:45.41, 200 IM: 1:45.22) all have top 10 times in the country. Not many teams in the country can handle Georgia in the distance events with that firepower.

13. FLORIDA STATE (5-2, ACC 1-1)
Last Poll: #25

Results
2nd, All Florida Invitational
W, Florida Atlantic, 208-80
W, Duke, 186-112
W, UNC-Wilmington, 234-64
L, Virginia Tech, 162-136
W, Emory, 222-70
W, Florida Southern, 186-106
L, #2 Florida, 167-133
Since last poll
1st, Georgia Tech Invitational

Throw down ridiculous relay times, and the pollsters will definitely notice. After a bit of a drop, the Seminoles bounced back in a huge way up to 13 from nearly being outside the top 25 last poll. Florida State owns the top 200 medley relay in the country by nearly a second with a 1:16.76, and also is fifth in the 400 medley relay with a 2:53.06. Add in the likes of junior Paul Murray (50 free: 19.35, 100 free: 42.78) and senior Mark Weber (50 free: 19.59) being in the top 10 in sprint events and you have a recipe for being upwardly mobile in the rankings.

14. MISSOURI (3-1, SEC 1-1)
Last Poll: NR

Results
1st, Show Me Showdown
W, Missouri State, 131-117
W, Kentucky, 205-93
W, Southern Illinois, 229-67
L, Georgia, 151-147
Since last poll
1st, Missouri Invite

Missouri was another team that hadn't shown its cards much in the early season, and broke through at its home invitational. Missouri has plenty of swimmers in the top 15 of their events, including junior Mark Conroy turning in the ninth-ranked swim in the 100 breast with a 53.30. Sophomore Mack Darragh (200 fly: 1:45.20), freshman Daniel Graviss (400 IM: 3:48.69), sophomore Eegan Groome (500 free: 4:19.31), sophomore Igor Kozlovskij (100 breast: 53.51, 200 breast: 1:57.27) and senior Jowan Qupty (200 breast: 1:56.70, 10 breast: 53.52) are all among the top 15, just outside the top 10.

15. VIRGINIA (4-1, ACC 0-0)
Last Poll: #9

Results
W, Navy, 162-124
W, @ Pittsburgh, 159-130
W, #12 South Carolina, 160-126
W, #24 Penn State, 198-155
L, #7 Indiana, 177-176
Since last poll
2nd, Georgia Invitational

Virginia is a deep school with 20 total swimmers ranked in the top 100 in the national rankings. Junior Jon Daniec (1000 free: 9:08.85) and junior Bradley Phillips (1000 free: 9:07.98) are the only Cavaliers to be in the top 15, however.

16. LOUISVILLE (1-2, Big East 0-1)
Last Poll: #15

Results
W, Xavier, 182-75
L, @ #25 Tennessee, 168.5-131.5
L, #18 Notre Dame, 155.5-144.5
1st, Purdue Invite
Since last poll
U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals

Louisville boasts an NCAA Swimmer of the Year candidate with stud Joao De Lucca on the squad. De Lucca leads the country in the 200 free with a 1:32.57, and is second in the 100 free with a 42.05 and sixth in the 50 free with a 19.61. Sophomore Caryle Blondell is another top-flight swimmer for the Cardinals, ranking seventh in the 100 free with a 43.16.

17. VIRGINIA TECH (6-1, ACC 3-1)
Last Poll: #12

Results
W, VMI, 281-33
W, Gardner-Webb, 269.5-45.5
L, @ #9 North Carolina, 173.5-126.5
W, @ Duke, 208-92
W, @ #15 Florida State, 162-136
W, @ UNC Wilmington, 232-68
W, @ Georgia Tech, 178-122
1st, H2Okie Fall Invite
Since last poll
Diving, Georgia Invitational

Virginia Tech is one of those all-hands-on-deck teams. It gets the job done with everyone on the team coming together to hit other teams where they are weak. The only swimmer in the top 15 in an event is senior Zach McGinnis, who is 12th in the 100 back with a 47.05.

18. IOWA (1-1, Big Ten 1-1)
Last Poll: #21

Results
W, @ Michigan State, 185-108
L, @ #13 Minnesota, 165.5-132.5
Since last poll
Hawkeye Invitational

Iowa enjoyed a strong meet at home, while watching Michigan light up its pool. The Hawkeyes moved up three spots, and are led by sophomore Grant Betulius, who is ninth in the country in the 10 back (46.97).

19. LSU (2-1, SEC 1-1)
Last Poll: #14

Results
W, @ Centenary, 64-38
L, @ #8 Auburn, 213-87
W, #20 Alabama, 196-104
1st, Phill Hansel Invite
Since last poll
Auburn Diving Invitational

LSU dropped a bit from last poll, but did pick up some strong times in terms of NCAA qualifying with Andrei Tuomola enjoying a strong outing at the European Short Course Championships for Finland. He came back home ranked eighth in the country in the 100 breast with a converted 53.29.

T20. NOTRE DAME (5-0, Big East 2-0)
Last Poll: #19

Results
1st, Dennis Stark Relays
W, @ Oakland, 191-107
W, @ Michigan State, 178-120
W, #18 Purdue, 156-144
W, Pittsburgh, 176-124
W, #23 Louisville, 155.5-145.5
Since last poll
Hawkeye Invitational

Notre Dame continued to hang around the top 20, especially considering it collected two early season scalps with wins against Purdue and Louisville. Junior Frankie Dyer paces the Fighting Irish with an 18th-ranked 500 free (4:20.63) and 21st-ranked 200 free (1:36.27).

T20. PENN STATE (2-2, Big Ten 0-1)
Last Poll: #23

Results
W, @ West Virginia, 174-69
W, Villanova, 211-81
L, @ #7 Indiana, 182.5-170.5
L, #8 Virginia, 198-155
Since last poll
Georgia Invitational

The Nittany Lions moved up a bit in this week's poll, and has one of the better swimmers in the NCAA with junior Sean Grier. Grier had an impressive weekend in Georgia, moving to second in the nation in the 200 back (46.38) and sixth in the 100 fly (46.79). Freshman Shane Ryan also stands 13th in the 100 back with a 47.07.

22. NORTH CAROLINA (3-0, ACC 1-0)
Last Poll: #17

Results
W, #12 South Carolina, 168-132
W, #21 Texas A&M, 178.5-121.5
W, Virginia Tech, 173.5-126.5
2nd, Nike Cup
Since last poll
Ohio State Invitational

The Tar Heels dropped five spots from last poll's 17th. Senior Tom Luchsinger and Brett Nagle are the team leaders, as Luchsinger ranks 10th in the 200 fly with a 1:45.16, while Nagle stands 14th in the 1650 free with a 15:07.69.

23. UNLV (3-1, MPSF 2-0)
Last Poll: NR

Results
L, Arizona, 180.5-114.5
W, Denver, 151-149
W, BYU, 156.5-143.5
W, Utah, 149-146
W, Calgary,176-107 (exh)
Since last poll
Arizona Diving Invitational
3rd, Missouri Invitational

Junior Giacomo Gremizzi and senior Cody Roberts are UNLV's dynamic duo, helping the Rebels move into the rankings for the first time this year. Gremizzi is sixth in the 400 IM with a 3:45.58, while Roberts holds fifth in the 100 fly with a 46.76. Junior Dave Szele also ranks 10th in the 100 breast with a 53.37.

24. GEORGIA TECH (1-2, ACC 0-1)
Last Poll: NR

Results
W, Charleston, 187-99
L, Georgia, 161-133
L, Virginia Tech, 178-122
Since last poll
2nd, Georgia Tech Invitational

Georgia Tech managed to take second at its home invitational, with Florida State putting on a show in their house in Atlanta. Sophomore Andrew Kosic and Nico Van Duijn are Ga Tech's top swimmers.

25. DENVER (1-2, MPSF 0-1)
Last Poll: NR

Results
L, UNLV, 151-149
L, Arizona, 187-113
W, Colorado School of Mines, 164-119
Since last poll
Hawkeye Invitational

Denver made its first appearance in the polls this year, and is led by freshman Dylan Bunch and junior Kyle Milberg. Milberg ranks 11th in the 200 back with a 1:43.06, while Bunch is 14th in the 1000 free with a 9:10.78.

Also received votes: South Carolina, NC State, Princeton, Arizona State
Dropped out: NC State, Tennessee, South Carolina, Purdue

CSCAA Men's Division 1 Team Ranking Committee
Chair: Bill Roberts, United States Naval Academy; Steve Fletcher, Rider University; James Holder, Georgetown University; Braden Holloway, North Carolina State University; Jason Marsteller, Swimming World Magazine; McGee Moody, University of South Carolina; Vic Riggs, West Virginia University; Dan Ross, Purdue University; Brian Schrader, Denver University; Dorsey Tierney-Walker, Arizona State University

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