Minnesota, Purdue, Penn State and Virginia Make Huge Gains in CSCAA Men’s Division I Swim/Dive Poll

PHOENIX, Arizona November 19. MINNESOTA and Purdue were the biggest beneficiaries in the newest poll of Division I swimming and diving men’s teams from the College Swim Coaches Association of America. A few teams on this week’s list have used the past two weeks for training instead of racing, in anticipation of the upcoming midseason invitationals.

The goal of the CSCAA rankings committee is 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 versus 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.

Swimming World has been invited as a media member to participate in the polling process, and has a vote in each poll. Jeff Commings serves as Swimming World’s representative on these weekly conference calls.

1. Michigan (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 1

Results
W vs. Iowa (9/27), 182-110
W at Dennis Stark Relays, (10/11), First out of five teams
W at Notre Dame and Auburn (10/12); 195-103 vs. Auburn, 201-99 vs. Notre Dame
W at Indiana (10/25), 203-97
W vs. Texas (at Indiana) (10/25), 166-134

Since last poll:
Idle

Next competition: Friday through Sunday at Michigan Open

2. Florida (4-0, 3-0 SEC)
Last poll rank: 2

Results
W at All-Florida Invitational (9/27) (First place)
W at Minnesota (10/12), 172-124
W at Missouri (10/17), 169-130
W vs. Georgia (11-1), 179-119

Since last poll:
W vs. Alabama (11/7), 169-123

Next competition: Friday through Sunday at Buckeye Invitational

Florida hosted a dual meet with SEC rival Alabama and further exhibited their dominance with new season-bests from Sebastien Rousseau in the 200 fly and Brad Deborde in the 50 free.

3. California (3-0, 0-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 3

Results
Cal Poly King of the Pool (9/20-21), unscored
W vs. Pacific (10/3), 149-104
W vs. Indiana (10/11), 173-122
W vs. Wisconsin (11/1), 151-131

Since last poll:
Triple-distance meet vs. Stanford (unscored)

Next competition: December 5-7 at USA Swimming nationals

The competition between Stanford and Cal was not scored, but a few swimmers for the Golden Bears put up impressive swims, including Ryan Murphy and Tyler Messerschmidt.

4. Texas (5-1 1-0 Big 12)
Last poll rank: 4

Results
W vs. North Carolina (10/17), 171.5-126.5
W at Indiana (10/25), 204-96
L vs. Michigan (at Indiana) (10/25), 166-134

Since last poll:
W vs. Virginia (11/8-9), 225-128
W vs. Penn State (at Virginia), 185-168
W vs. West Virginia (at Virginia), 259-93

Next competition: December 5-7 at Texas Invitational

Texas’ Clay Youngquist was once again the standout for the Longhorns in the two-day quad meet, posting a season-best 4:23.99 in the 500 free and showing his range with wins in the 200 and 1000 freestyles. Jack Conger showed his versatility with wins in the 100 fly and 200 back, with his 200 back time of 1:43.25 a season-best swim.

5. Minnesota (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 7 (tie)

Results
W vs. Arizona State (10/5), 190-95
L vs. Florida (10/12), 172-124
W at Wisconsin (10/18-19), 220-150
W at Iowa (11/1), 174-126

Since last poll:
W at North Dakota (11/9), 179-113
Arena Grand Prix (11/14-16)

Next competition: December 6-7 at Jean Freeman Invite

After trouncing North Dakota in a few off events, the Golden Gophers hosted the Arena Grand Prix and walked away with two nation-leading times from Derek Toomey in the 50 and 100 freestyles. A couple other swimmers, including Daryl Turner and Kyler van Swol, also made big jumps in the collegiate rankings to showcase Minnesota’s strength across the board in several events and get them into the top five this week.

6. Stanford (2-0, 0-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 5

Results
W vs. Indiana (10/12), 183-111
W vs. Wisconsin (11/2), 175-116

Since last poll:
Triple-distance meet at Cal (unscored)

Next competition: Thursday through Saturday at UNLV Invitational

A strong performance by David Nolan in the backstrokes at the unscored triple distance meet keeps Stanford rolling strong through the season.

7 (tie). Southern California (2-0, 2-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: not ranked

Results
W at Arizona State (11/8), 171-119
W at Arizona (11/9), 172-128

Next competition: December 5-7 at Texas Invitational

The Trojans started off their dual-meet season a couple of months later than everyone else, so they have some catching up to do. But they showed off the potential to crack into the top five with strong racing from Cristian Quintero and Dimitri Colupaev, as well as a couple of notable freshmen.

7 (tie). Georgia (5-1, 2-1 SEC)
Last poll rank: 6

Results
W vs. Kentucky (9/25),162-110
W vs. Wisconsin (10/4-5), 179-139
W vs. Georgia Tech (10/15), 184-109
W at LSU (10/18), 180-112
L at Florida (11/1), 179-119

Since last poll:
W vs. Emory (11/15), 137-73

Next competition: Friday through Sunday at Auburn Invitational

Most of Georgia’s squad competed in off events against Emory, which resulted in another impressive swim from Chase Kalisz in the 200 back, and allowed several swimmers to post impressive wins including Matias Koski in the distance freestyles.

9. Indiana (2-4, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 7 (tie)

Results
L at California (10/11), 173-122
L at Stanford (10/12), 183-111
L vs. Michigan (10/25), 203-97
L vs. Texas (10/25), 204-96
W vs. Kentucky (11/1), 208-92
W vs. Tennessee (11/1), 179-121

Since last poll:
Idle

Next competition: December 5-7 at USA Swimming nationals

10. Ohio State (8-0, 3-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 10

Results
W at Kentucky (10/11), 176-122
W vs. Kenyon (10/25), 186-101
W vs. Cleveland State (10/25), 201-91
W vs. Denison (10/25), 202-90
W vs. Virginia Tech (10/25), 165.5-135.5

Since last poll:
W at Purdue (11/8), 169-131
W vs. Iowa (at Purdue) (11/8), 195-105
W vs. Northwestern (at Purdue) (11/8), 231-69

Next competition: Friday through Sunday at Buckeye Invitational

Participating in another quad meet, the Buckeyes showcased their depth in butterfly and backstroke, as well as some talent in sprint freestyles, against thee conference rivals.

11. Florida State (3-0, 2-0 ACC)
Last poll rank: 9

Results
All-Florida Invite (9/27-29), second place
W at Alabama (10/12), 179-121
W vs. North Carolina State (10/25), 162-136
W vs. Georgia Tech (10/25), 213-65

Since last poll:
Idle

Next competition: November 22-24 at Auburn Invite

12. Purdue (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 22

Results
Indiana Intercollegiates (10/26), first place
W vs. Notre Dame (11/1), 208-92

Since last poll:
W vs. Iowa (11/8), 173-127
W vs. Northwestern (11/8), 209.5-90.5
L vs. Ohio State (11/8), 169-131
Arena Grand Prix (11/14-16)

Next competition: Friday versus Miami (Ohio)

The quad meet against three Big Ten rivals was impressive for Purdue, but it was the strong showing at the Arena Grand Prix that shot the Boilermakers up the poll this week. Though Danny Tucker remains the top swimmer on the team, others made massive in-season improvements to give Purdue more ammunition in the rankings.

13. North Carolina (3-2, 0-0 ACC)
Last poll rank: 11

Results
Virginia Tech Swimming Challenge (10/11), second place
L at Texas (10/17), 171-126
W at Texas Christian, 188-109
W vs. Louisville (11/1-2), 186-161

Since last poll:
Idle

Next competition: November 21-23 at Nike Cup

14. Penn State (3-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 20

Results
W vs. West Virginia (10/18), 153-129
W at Buffalo (11/2), 155-137

Since last poll:
W at Virginia (11/8-9), 191-162
L vs. Texas (at Virginia) (11/8-9), 185-168

Next competition: December 5-7 at Texas Invitational

With Penn State beating a powerful team from Virginia, the Nittany Lions make a big jump in this week’s poll, thanks in large part to Shane Ryan’s and John Hauser’s efforts.

15. Arizona (1-2, 0-2 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 18

Results
L at Utah (10/19), 152-148
W vs. UNLV (10/25), 208-91

Since last poll:
L vs. Southern California (11/9), 172-128

Next competition: December 5-7 at Texas Invitational

The Wildcats hosted conference rival USC on the team’s opening weekend of racing, and though the Wildcats had some impressive swims from sprinter Giles Smith and breaststroke phenom Kevin Cordes, it wasn’t enough to hold off the strength the Trojans had across the board.

16. Virginia Tech (6-1, 3-0 ACC)
Last poll rank: 12

Results
Virginia Tech Swimming Challenge (10/11), first place
W vs. North Carolina State (10/19), 185-113
L at Ohio State (11/1), 156.5-135.5
W vs. Denison (at Ohio State) (11/1), 251-49
W vs. Cleveland State (at Ohio State) (11/1), 252-48
W at Cincinnati (11/2), 139-93

Since last poll:
W at Pittsburgh (11/9), 204-106
W vs. Notre Dame (at Pittsburgh) (11/9), 181-119

Next competition: Thursday through Saturday at H2Okie Fall Invitational

Racing against seemingly lesser foes keeps Virginia Tech from staying in the top 15.

17. Auburn (2-1, 1-0 SEC)
Last poll rank: 13

Results
Dennis Stark Relays (10/11), second place
W at Notre Dame (10/ 12), 201-99
L vs. Michigan (10/12), 195-103
At Royals Invite (10/25), unscored
W at LSU (11/2), 151-87

Since last poll:
Idle

Next competition: November 22-24 at Auburn Invite

18. Virginia (2-1, 0-0 WAC)
Last poll rank: 24

Results
W at Navy (10/25), 212-88

Since last poll:
L vs. Penn State (11/8-9), 191-162
L vs. Texas (11/8-9), 225-128
W vs. West Virginia (11/8-9), 241-111

Next competition: Friday through Sunday at Buckeye Invitational

The Cavaliers make a jump on the basis of strong racing and faster swims against Texas, Penn State and West Virginia.

19. Louisville (2-1, 0-0 American)
Last poll rank: 14 (tie)

Results
W vs. Xavier (10/11), 189-70
W vs. Tennessee (10/24), 167-132
L at North Carolina (11/1-2), 186-161

Since last poll:
Idle

Next competition: November 22-24 at Michigan Invite

20. Missouri (4-1, 2-1 SEC)
Last poll rank: 14 (tie)

Results
Show-Me-Showdown (10/4), first place
L vs. Florida (10/17), 169-130
W at Southern Illinois (10/24-25), 333-106
W vs. Kentucky (at Southern Illinois) (10/24-25), 267.5-177.5
W vs. Texas A&M (11/1), 186-114

Since last poll:
W at Missouri State (11/8), 155-88

Next competition: Thursday through Saturday at Mizzou Invitational

A trip to Springfield to race rising in-state foe Missouri State gave Missouri more racing opportunities, but a lack of in-season bests caused them to slip a bit in this poll.

21. North Carolina State (3-2, 2-2 ACC)
Last poll rank: 19

Results
All-North Carolina Invitational (10/4-5), first place
L at Virginia Tech (10/19), 185-113
W vs. Georgia Tech (10/25), 193-95
L vs. Florida State (10/25), 162-136

Since last poll:
W vs. Duke (11/8), 177-115
W vs. UNC-Wilmington (11/9), 193-97

Next competition: Thursday through Saturday at Nike Cup

N.C. State accumulated two more dual-meet wins, but didn’t show enough improvement on the scoreboard to keep them in the top 20.

22. Tennessee (3-2, 2-0 SEC)
Last poll rank: 17

Results
W vs. UNC-Wilmington (9/27), 167-133
W vs. South Carolina (10/18), 172-128
L at Louisville (10/24), 167.5-132.5
L at Indiana (11/1), 179-121
W vs. Kentucky (at Indiana) (11/1), 177-123

Since last poll:
Idle

Next competition: Friday through Sunday at Georgia Tech Invititational

23. Iowa (1-4, 1-4 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 21

Results
L at Michigan (9/27), 182-110
W vs. Michigan State (10/18), 182-113
L vs. Minnesota (11/1), 176-121

Since last poll:
L at Purdue (11/8), 195-105
L vs. Ohio State (at Purdue) (11/8), 173-127

Next competition: December 6-8 at Hawkeye Invitational

The Hawkeyes’ strength in breaststrokes keep them in the top 25, and their performances at home in the Hawkeye Invitational will be crucial in keeping them in the poll ranking in December.

24. Alabama (1-2, 0-1 SEC)
Last poll rank: 16

Results
W at Delta State (9/20), 283-62
L vs. Florida State (10/12), 179-121

Since last poll:
L at Florida (11/7), 169-123

Next competition: Friday through Sunday at Auburn Invitational

Alabama had some key races against Florida to keep them in the eyes of the voting panel, with Anton McKee beating the Gators in the 200 breast and Brett Walsh getting a solid win in the 100 butterfly.

25. South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC)
Last poll rank: Not ranked

Results
W at College of Charleston (10/12), 178-109
L at Tennessee (10/18), 172-128
W at East Carolina (10/26), 191-107
W vs. LSU (11/9), 166-134

Next competition: Thursday through Sunday at H2Okie Invitational

The Gamecocks sneak into the poll on the basis of a strong meet against conference rival LSU. Kevin Leithold had some major in-season improvement at the meet to showcase his versatility and the ability for head coach McGee Moody to use the freshman in any number of events.

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