Michigan Trumps Texas in Final CSCAA Division I Men’s Rankings

PHOENIX, Arizona, March 5. WITH the conference championship season winding down, it is time for the final College Swim Coaches Association of America NCAA Men's Division I Swimming and Diving Rankings release. Voting took place prior to the bulk of the conference meets this weekend, and only reflects performances that took place during the regular season. Michigan jumped back into the top spot, while previous No. 1 Texas fell a spot.

The goal of the CSCAA rankings committee this year was to produce an in-season poll of the 25 best performing teams in rank order at the time of each poll. The poll was 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 did 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 were only based on performances that took place up to that point in the season, with an emphasis on action from the previous poll.

Notably, Swimming World was invited as a media member as part of the polling process, and had a vote in each poll. Jason Marsteller served as Swimming World's representative on these calls.

1. MICHIGAN (8-0, Big Ten 6-0)
Last Poll: #3

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
1st, Hawkeye Invitational
Mike Peppe Invitational
1st, Orange Bowl Classic
W, Eastern Michigan, 196-133 (20-yard meet)
W, Purdue, 153-90
2nd, SMU Classic
W, #10 Ohio State, 251-75
W, Michigan State, 168-81
Michigan First Chance Meet
Since last poll
1st, Big Ten Championships

Michigan defended its Big Ten title in a big way, leading wire-to-wire in the victory. The Wolverines won 12 title during the four-day met including a rare freestyle sweep keyed by junior Connor Jaeger and sophomore Bruno Ortiz.

2. TEXAS (5-2, Big 12 1-0)
Last Poll: #1

Results
1st, Southwest Collegiate Plunge
W, #8 Indiana, 185-115
L, #2 Michigan, 194-106
Diving, Phill Hansel Invite
U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals
Georgia Fall Invitational
L, #9 Auburn, 166-132
W, #12 Georgia, 132-109
W, TCU, 133-88
W, #1 Arizona, 166-125
W, SMU, 184-108
Since last poll
1st, Big 12 Championships

Texas dominated the Big 12 Championships, earning its 34th consecutive conference crown. Overall, Texas has now won 17 Big 12 team titles during its time in the conference. Dax Hill earned men's swimmer of the meet as he also showed off some breaststroke ability.

3. CALIFORNIA (7-0, Pac 12 4-0)
Last Poll: #2

Results
W, Pacific, 141-107
W, #25 Wisconsin, 158-125
Exhibition, #3 Stanford
1st, Georgia Invitational
Bruin Diving Invitational
W, #1 Arizona, 159-134
W, Arizona State, 163-126
W, CSU Bakersfield, 135-113
W, #3 Southern California, 175.5-120.5
Since last poll
W, #7 Stanford, 139-104

California took down Northern California rival Stanford, 139-104, in what turned out to be an epic battle between the two Pacific 12 squads. It was the first win for California against Stanford since 2005. Tom Shields, who will appear on the cover of the March issue of Swimming World Magazine in just days, captured the 100 fly in a blazing 46.02 as well as the 200 free in 1:34.70. The two-time defending champions also finished the season undefeated for the first time since 2005 when they last beat Stanford. California is now at the Pacific 12 Championships in Federal Way.

4. FLORIDA (7-0, SEC 5-0)
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
2nd, Ohio State Invitational
3rd, SMU Classic
W, Florida Atlantic, 178-111
W, #5 Auburn, 167-133
W, Tennessee, 208-92
Since last poll
1st, Southeastern Conference Championships

While the performances don't count as part of this regular season poll, the past week certainly proved to be exciting for the Florida Gators as they put an end to Auburn's Southeastern Conference title streak at 16. The Gators piled up 1408 points at the 2013 edition of the SEC championships, hosted on the campus of Texas A&M University. The win gave Florida its 34th SEC men's team title, but last won the crown in 1993. Marcin Cieslak led the way for the Gators with a butterfly sweep.

“It's great for the guys,” head coach Gregg Troy said. “We have been chasing Auburn and nipping at their heels every year and we've been close a couple of them. I think this kind of takes us over the top from the standpoint that it gets the monkey off our back. It's a good building point towards the NCAA meet and it's not an end in itself but it certainly is a good conference win.”

5. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (7-1, Pac 12 4-1)
Last Poll: #4

Results
W, #14 NC State, 173-119
W, #17 Arizona, 181.5-109.5
W, Arizona State, 144-82
U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals
W, Hawaii, 150-54
Bruin Diving Invitational
W, Wisconsin 145-109
1st, SMU Classic
L, #6 California, 175.5-120.5
W, #9 Stanford, 156-139
Since last poll
W, Utah, 183-102

Southern California closed out its regular season with a win against the Utah Utes in Salt Lake City. The meet spanned two days as USC's B squad prevailed in Utah. Cary Wright earned wins in the 200 fly (1:47.18), 200 back (1:48.11) and 200 IM (1:50.33). The Trojans are now in Federal Way, Wash., competing in the Pacific 12 Championships.

6. STANFORD (4-2, Pac 12 2-2)
Last Poll: #7

Results
2nd, Pacific Invitational
W, #25 Wisconsin, 184-104
Exhibition, #5 California
1st, Arena Invitational
Ohio State Invitational (diving only)
W, Pacific, 159-92
Bruin Diving Invitational
W, Arizona State, 171.5-113.5
W, #1 Arizona, 173-115
L, #3 Southern California, 156-139
Since last poll
L, #2 California, 139-104

Stanford fell to .500 in Pacific 12 Conference action with its first loss to California since 2005. David Nolan and Kristian Ipsen performance well against the Golden Bears in the loss with each earning a pair of victories. Nolan won the 100 back (47.68) and 100 breast (54.05) as he continues to demonstrate that he's one of the most versatile swimmers in the country. Ipsen swept the diving events against an outmanned California diving squad. Stanford is now focused on winning its 32nd consecutive Pacific 12 Conference title this week. However, Auburn's loss at SEC has to be weighing on the minds of the Cardinal nation.

7. INDIANA (8-3, Big Ten 4-1)
Last Poll: #8

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
U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals (split squad)
Ohio State Invitational (split squad)
W, #6 Ohio State, 150-148
W, #18 Iowa, 172-126
W, #14 Louisville, 193-107
L, Evansville, 155.5-78.5 (split squad)
W, Purdue, 179.5-118.5 (split squad)
Since last poll
2nd, Big Ten Championships

The Hoosiers took second to the Michigan steamroller at the Big Ten Championships. However, Indiana did have some special swims including a pair of jaw-droppers from breaststroker Cody Miller as he earned Big Ten Swimmer of the Meet honors.

8. AUBURN (5-1, SEC 4-1)
Last Poll: #6

Results
W, #20 Alabama, 175-68
W, #22 LSU, 213-87
W, @ Kentucky, 205.5-94.5
Georgia Invitational
Auburn Diving Invitational
Tennessee Diving Invitational
W, #4 Texas, 166-132
W, Texas A&M, 189-111
Ralph Crocker Invitational
L, #5 Florida, 167-133
Since last poll
2nd, Southeastern Conference Championships

The Auburn Tigers witnessed their 16-year win streak at the SEC Championships come to an end at the hands of the Florida Gators. Auburn did, however, put up a fight to take second with 1196 points. The 16-year win streak had stood as the third-longest streak of SEC championships in any sport in conference history, behind Florida's volleyball skein of 18 straight titles (1991-2008) and Arkansas' men's cross country 17-straight victories (1991-2007). Marcelo Chierighini earned SEC Men's Swimmer of the Year, having swept the sprint freestyle events. Kyle Owens also finished second in Commissioner's Trophy balloting.

“Marcelo is just in another league right now,” head coach Brett Hawke said. “He won that (100 free) by a full body length. That's just unheard of; we haven't seen that since Cesar (Cielo). He's swimming outstandingly, and we're hopeful he'll swim faster at NCAAs. And Kyle, just an amazing performance from him. He won the 100 and 200 (back), was third in the 200 IM, and won all the relays he's been on. He's had an outstanding meet and led this team by example.”

9. VIRGINIA (8-1, ACC 3-0)
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
2nd, Georgia Invitational
Tennessee Diving Invitational
W, #22 North Carolina, 194-106
W, Duke, 153-140
W, #17 Virginia Tech, 202.5-167.5
W, Wisconsin, 185-163
Cavalier Invitational
Since last poll
1st, Atlantic Coast Conference Championships

The Virginia men won their 16th ACC title, joining with the women's team to be the first program to win the ACC title six straight years. Additionally, head coach Mark Bernardino's 27 ACC Championships pushed him past North Carolina's Frank Comfort for the most career coaching crowns in the league.

10. ARIZONA (5-3, Pac 12 1-3)
Last Poll: #10

Results
W, Hawaii, No Score Reported
W, UNLV, 180.5-114.5
W, Denver, 187-113
L, #6 Southern California, 181.5-109.5
Arizona Diving Invitational
U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals
Bruin Diving Invitational
L, #4 California, 159-134
L, #9 Stanford, 173-115
W, SMU, 165-134
L, #7 Texas, 166-125
W, Arizona State, 179-105
Since last poll
Idle

Arizona is back in the water at the Pacific 12 Championships after knocking off in-state rival Arizona State prior to the last poll.

11. GEORGIA (7-3, SEC 3-2)
Last Poll: #11

Results
W, @ Georgia Tech, 161-133
L, #1 Florida, 192-104
W, Missouri, 151-147
W, Emory, 114-83
Georgia Invitational
Tennessee Diving Invitational
W, SCAD, 206-48
W, NC State, 144-112
L, #4 Texas, 132-109
L, Tennessee, 161.5-132.5
W, #23 South Carolina, 209-85
W, Alabama, 205-93
Since last poll
3rd, Southeastern Conference Championships

Georgia took third at the Southeastern Conference Championships in College Station, while Chase Kalisz was named SEC Male Freshman of the Year after his stellar performance at the meet that including an IM sweep.

12. OHIO STATE (7-2, Big Ten 1-2)
Last Poll: #13

Results
W, Cleveland State, 178-104
W, Kenyon, 171-110
W, Denison, 193-98
W, @ #13 Tennessee, 176.5-123.5
Cleveland State Invitational
Ohio State Invitational
W, Wright State, 177-102
L, #10 Indiana, 150-148
W, #18 Iowa, 183-105
W, Cincinnati, 152-133
L, #1 Michigan, 251-75
Ohio State Winter Invitational
Since last poll
3rd, Big Ten Championships

The Buckeyes took third at the Big Ten Championships, giving OSU a fifth consecutive year finishing in the top 3 at the conference championship meet.

13. MINNESOTA (6-1, Big Ten 4-1)
Last Poll: #14

Results
L, @ #2 Michigan, 170-124
W, #25 Wisconsin, 191-100
W, #19 Iowa, 165.5-132.5
NTS, Minnesota Grand Prix
Jean Freeman Invite
W, Hawaii, 182.5-103.5
W, North Dakota, 198-90
W, #18 Purdue, 209-144
W, Wisconsin, 196-157
Minnesota Challenge
Since last poll
4th, Big Ten Championships

Minnesota earned fourth at the Big Ten Championships in Bloomington, Ind., earning more points with 378 than they did a year ago as Michigan raced to the team title in 2012 as well as this year.

14. FLORIDA STATE (8-2, ACC 3-1)
Last Poll: #15

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
1st, Georgia Tech Invitational
W, South Carolina, 180.5-117.5
W, #25 Georgia Tech, 206-92
W, N.C. State, 164-136
Since last poll
4th, Atlantic Coast Conference Championships

While Florida State might have wound up fourth at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships due to depth, the Seminoles demonstrated remarkable top-end ability. Pavel Sankovich won the ACC Most Valuable Swimmer after being part of four golds and a total of six medals.

15. NORTH CAROLINA (6-1, ACC 3-1)
Last Poll: #16

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
Ohio State Invitational
Tennessee Diving Invitational
W, Navy, 175.5-124.5
L, #15 Virginia, 194-106
W, Duke, 164-128
W, #22 N.C. State, 159-140
Since last poll
3rd, Atlantic Coast Conference Championships

The Tar Heels placed third overall at the ACC Championships last weekend, having now finished in the top three of 59 out of the total of 60 conference championships. Tom Luchsinger won the 200 fly for the third time, becoming just the seventh male swimmer in ACC history to pull off the feat.

16. LOUISVILLE (3-3, Big East 1-1)
Last Poll: #19

Results
W, Xavier, 182-75
L, @ #25 Tennessee, 168.5-131.5
L, #18 Notre Dame, 155.5-144.5
1st, Purdue Invite
U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals
Sarasota Invitational
W, Cincinnati, 184-104
4th, SMU Classic
W, Kentucky, 152-148
L, #8 Indiana, 193-107
Since last poll
2nd, Big East Championships

Louisville placed second at the Big East Championships. Joao De Lucca earned the meet's Most Outstanding Performer award after picking up wins on a routine basis.

17. TENNESSEE (4-4, SEC 2-1)
Last Poll: #12

Results
W, UNC-Wilmington, 175-118
W, Kentucky, 194-106
L, Indiana, 183-117
W, Louisville, 168.5-131.5
L, Ohio State, 176.5-123.5
Tennessee Invitational
Tennessee Diving Invitational
L, Virginia Tech, 166.5-133.5
W, Georgia, 161.5-132.5
L, Florida, 208-92
Since last poll
4th, Southeastern Conference Championships

Tennessee put together a strong run at the 2013 Southeastern Conference Championships, taking fourth in its first season as part of a combined men's and women's program. Sam Rairden led the way for the Volunteers, earning three runner-up finishes at SECs in the 100 free, 100 back and 100 fly.

18. VIRGINIA TECH (9-2-1, ACC 3-1-1)
Last Poll: #21

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
Diving, Georgia Invitational
W, Tennessee, 166.5-133.5
T, NC State, 150-150
W, William & Mary, 160-97
W, Wisconsin, 204-155
L, #11 Virginia, 202.5-165.5
Virginia Tech Invitational
Since last poll
2nd, Atlantic Coast Conference Championships

The Hokies took second at ACCs for the second year in a row, matching last year's program-best finish. Overall, the Hokies earned 12 All-ACC honors during the meet.

19. IOWA (7-3, Big Ten 2-3)
Last Poll: #20

Results
W, @ Michigan State, 185-108
L, @ #13 Minnesota, 165.5-132.5
Hawkeye Invitational
W, Colorado College, 60-37
W, Austin College, 60-33
L, #6 Ohio State, 183-105
L, #10 Indiana, 172-126
W, Northwestern, 161-122
W, Notre Dame, 212.5-155.5
W, Missouri State, 246-122
W, Western Illinois, 128-80
Since last poll
7th, Big Ten Championships

Iowa wound up taking seventh at the Big Ten Championships held in Bloomington, Ind.

20. MISSOURI (5-1, SEC 2-1)
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
1st, Mizzou Invite
Tennessee Diving Invitational
W, Alabama, 168-132
W, Drury, 166-68
Tiger Invite
Since last poll
5th, Southeastern Conference Championships

The Missouri Tigers finished fifth in their first Southeastern Conference Championships. The Tigers swept the meet's diving honors with David Bonuchi winning Male Diver of the Year, while Jamie Sweeney was named the Male Diving Coach of the Year.

21. NC STATE (5-4-1, ACC 2-2-1)
Last Poll: #22

Results
L, USC, 173-119
W, East Carolina, 169-97
W, Duke, 178-117
1st, Nike Cup Invitational
L, Georgia, 144-112
W, SCAD, 212-43
T, Virginia Tech, 150-150
L, Florida State, 164-136
W, Georgia Tech, 194.5-103.5
W, UNC-Wilmington, 176-119
L, #16 North Carolina, 159-140
Since last poll
5th, Atlantic Coast Conference Championships

The Wolfpack finished fifth overall at the ACC Championships in Greensboro, N.C.

22. PENN STATE (5-2, Big Ten 0-1)
Last Poll: #24

Results
W, @ West Virginia, 174-69
W, Villanova, 211-81
L, @ #7 Indiana, 182.5-170.5
L, #8 Virginia, 198-155
Georgia Invitational
Tennessee Diving Invitational
W, Missouri State, 171-124
W, Navy, 188-112
W, Towson, 186-101
Ohio State Winter Invite
Since last poll
8th, Big Ten Championships

The Nittany Lions closed out the conference championship season with an eight-place effort at Big Tens. Junior Sean Grier earned second-team All-Big Ten honors for his efforts in Bloomington.

23. TEXAS A&M (3-4, SEC 1-3)
Last Poll: #17

Results
L, North Carolina, 178.5-121.5
L, South Carolina, 160-140
2nd, Southwest Collegiate Plunge
L, Florida, 197-98
4th, Phill Hansel Invitational
L, Auburn, 189-111
W, Incarnate Word, 138-98
W, LSU, 158-140
W, SMU, 142-92
Since last poll
7th, Southeastern Conference Championships

In its first Southeastern Conference Championship, the Texas A&M Aggies finished seventh overall. Senior John Dalton proved to be the top Aggie, downing the school record in the 100-yard freestyle both in prelims and finals.

24. HARVARD (9-0, Ivy 7-0)
Last Poll: #18

Results
W, Cornell, 207-93
W, Dartmouth, 207-93
W, Columbia, 192-108
6th, Georgia Fall Invitational
W, Brown, 206-90
W, Notre Dame, 264-100
W, Towson, 314-52
W, Yale, 292-61
W, Princeton, 200-153
W, Penn, 195-98
Since last poll
4th, ECAC Championships

Harvard finished fourth at the ECAC Championships this weekend in Cambridge, Mass.

25. NOTRE DAME (9-2, Big East 2-0)
Last Poll: NR

Results
1st, Dennis Stark Relays
W, Oakland, 191-107
W, Michigan State, 178-120
W, Purdue, 156-144
W, Pittsburgh, 175-124
W, Louisville, 155.5-145.5
2nd, Hawkeye Invitational
1st, Copa Coqui Meet
W, Cleveland State, 131-112
W, Towson, 279-69
L, Harvard, 264-100
L, Iowa, 212.50-155.50
W, Missouri State 210-160
W, Northwestern, 191-177
Since last poll
1st, Big East Championships

Notre Dame won its sixth Big East Championship title with superior depth at the conference meet. Head coach Tim Welsh was named the Big East Coach of the Year for his efforts.

Also receiving votes: LSU, South Carolina, Princeton, UNLV
Dropped out: Princeton, UNLV

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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