Drury Stands Atop Final CSCAA NCAA Division II Polls, Wayne State Makes Big Move

PHOENIX, Arizona, January 31. THE final College Swimming Coaches Association of America NCAA Division II poll is out, and the Drury men and women finished the season at the top of the mountain in their respective polls. Meanwhile, Wayne State skyrocketed up both polls.

The CSCAA DII Poll Committee produced in-season rankings of the 25 best performing NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving 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 versus unrested, when considering votes. Further, rankings were 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 was invited as a media member to participate in the polling process. Jason Marsteller served as Swimming World’s representative on these conference calls.

DII WOMEN
THE TOP 10
1. Drury, 1
Results

3rd, Missouri Showdown
L, Missouri State, 146-91
W, Delta State, 145-78
1st, Drury Invitational
NTS, Arkansas-Little Rock
W, Lindenwood, 103-33
W, Missouri State, 146-97
L, Missouri, 121-118

Last Time Out
Drury tested its skills against Southeastern Conference and NCAA Division I foe Missouri, and pushed the Tigers to the brink before taking a loss. Agnieszka Ostrowska doubled up against Mizzou, winning the 200 breast (2:13.56) and 400 IM (4:25.15) with the 200 breast being a pool record.

2. Queens (Charlotte), 2
Results

W, Gardner-Webb
W, Wingate
L, Davidson
W, Campbell
3rd, Fall Frenzy
W, West Florida
W, Lenoir Rhyne
W, St. Andrews
L, South Carolina

Last Time Out
Caroline Arakelian provided some of the top performances for Queens as part of a two-day battle with Southeastern Conference squad South Carolina. Arakelian won the 100 back in a B cut time of 57.18, when topped the 400 IM in anotehr B cut with a 4:24.51. finally, she helped the 400 free relay to a B cut of 3:31.79.

3. Wayne State, 17
Results

W, Calvin
W, Olivet Nazarene
L, Oakland
W, Ashland
3rd Eastern Michigan Invitational
W, Grand Valley State
W, Findlay
L, Eastern Michigan

Last Time Out
Wayne State definitely skyrocketed up the rankings after standing 17th overall in the last edition. The Warriors vaulted all the way up to the top three, even with a loss against NCAA Division I opponent Easter Michigan. WSU took home seven event wins against EMU, with Kristina Novichenko rolling to three victories. She won the 1000 free by more than 20 seconds in a B cut 10:11.89, then posted an A cut in the 200 fly with a 1:59.67. She closed out her strong meet with a B cut 55.80 in the 100 fly.

4. Simon Fraser, T6
Results

Puget Sound
Air Force
Colorado Mines
Nebraska-Omaha
Colorado College
Clan Cup Invitational
Victoria Vikes
Seattle

Last Time Out
Simon Fraser scored an emphatic victory against NCAA Division I Seattle, 141-120, to close out their season, and edge up into the top five in the rankings. The Canadian squad had a strong meet against Seattle, with Meghan Quon and Lauren Swistak providing some serious leadership with event wins against Seattle.

5. UC San Diego, T6
Results

W, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 191-107
L, UC Santa Barbara, 172-123
10th, Arena Invitational
W, Cal State East Bay, 146-59
W, Air Force, 177-117
L, San Diego State, 146-138
W, Grand Canyon, 181-11
L, Boise State, 238-61
W, Incarnate Word, 205-54
L, San Jose State, 140.5-115.5
W, Alaska Fairbanks, 218-67
W, LMU, 219-72
L, CSU Bakersfield, 160-139
L, Cal Baptist, 174-126

Last Time Out
Although UCSD has one more meet against San Diego before the PCSC conference championships, the Tritons did suffer their first loss ever at the hands of NCAA Division II rival Cal Baptist. However, UC San Diego’s overall strength this year kept them in the top five in this week’s voting. Sierra Gage and Anji Shakya gave the Tritons some strong performances against Cal Baptist with wins in the 1000 free and 200 back.

6. Wingate, 3
Results

1st, Wingate Quad Meet
L, Queens, 123-122
Fall Frenzy
1st, SCAD Invitational
L, UNC Wilmington, 149-108
L, South Carolina, 182-129
L, Queens, 173-142

Last Time Out
Although they were up against a pair of strong teams in South Carlina and Queens, Wingate still managed to put up some strong swims. Katie Pheil won the 200 free (1:55.16), while Jessika Weiss claimed the 200 breast (2:23.29). Sofia Petrenko wound up winning the 100 fly in 57.79, and took second in the 400 IM (4:32.37).

7. Florida Southern, T4
Results

5th, All-Florida Invitational
W, Tampa, 154-108
W, Saint Leo, 159-94
W, Florida Tech, 131-65
W, Rollins, 147-58
3rd, Sharks Invitational
L, Emory, 195-67
W, Nova Southeastern, 134-71
L, Indian River State, 118-87

Last Time Out
There aren’t many sports where a loss to an NJCAA team is seen as a strong outcome, but with Indian River State rolling through more than 30 years of NJCAA titles, The River is a formidable opponent for any squad. The Mocs wound up taking a loss to IRSC to close the regular season, while Alli Crenshaw took home wins in the 1000 free and 500 free to lead the way for Florida Southern.

8. Delta State, T4
Results

L, Alabama, 242-50
L, Western Kentucky, 195-90
L, Drury, 145-78
W, Henderson State, 147-80
W, Ouachita Baptist, 151-60
1st, Delta State Invitational
W, Nova Southeastern, 142-62
W, Ouachita Baptist, 169-41
W, Henderson State, 169-45
W, West Florida, 133-101

Last Time Out
The Lady Statesmen made a statement by closing out the season with wins against West Florida and Henderson State. Melanie Tombers led the way with a trio of wins in the 200 free (1:54.96), 200 IM (2:07.46) and 200 breast (2:23.87).

T9. Grand Valley State, 9
Results

W, Northern Michigan, 138-105
L, UW-Milwaukee, 191-112
W, Hillsdale, 159-77
W, Calvin, 149-93
W, Ashland, 138-90
W, Lewis, 191-90
L, Michigan State, 162-138
2nd, Doug Coers Invite
1st, Calvin College Invitational
7th, FIU Invitational
W, Wayne State, 178-122
L, Indianapolis, 169-129
W, Findlay, 201-39 (virtual meet)

Last Time Out
In an inventive virtual meet against Findlay, where the two teams swam in different pools due to inclement weather, GVSU broke nine pool records at home during Senior Day for the Lakers. Caitlyn Madsen, Danielle Vallier and Sarah Roeser each posted individual pool records, while both relay marks took a tumble.

T9. Cal Baptist, 14
Results

2nd, PCSC Pentathlon
1st, Redlands Invitational
W, Redlands
W, Cal State East Bay
W, Pomona Pitzer
W, Biola
1st, Colorado Mesa Invitational
L, CSU Bakersfield
W, Claremont Mudd Scripps
W, Fresno Pacific
W, Concordia
W, UC San Diego
W, Alaska Fairbanks

Last Time Out
The Lancers vaulted into the top 10 with a string of strong meets, including a road trip win against Alaska Fairbanks. Throughout the 123-82 two-day victory, Cal Baptist posted eight pool records. Mary Hanson had a breakthrough meet with four individual wins in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free and 200 back.

THE REST OF THE BEST
11. LIU Post, 11
12. West Chester, 8.
13. Indianapolis, 23
T14. Northern Michigan, T15
T14. Lindenwood, 10
16. Alaska Fairbanks, 12
17. Tampa, 13
18. Ashland, 19
19. Nova Southeastern, T15
20. St. Cloud State, 20
21. West Florida, 18
22. Truman State, T21
23. Edinboro, T21
24. Indiana (PA), NR
25. Gannon, 25
Also receiving votes: Cal East Bay, Bridgeport, Southern Connecticut, Limestone, Findlay, Hillsdale
Dropped out: Bridgeport (24)

DII MEN
THE TOP 10
1. Drury, 1
Results

4th, Missouri Showdown
L, Missouri State, 147-96
W, Delta State, 170-67
1st, Drury Invitational
NTS, Arkansas-Little Rock
W, Lindenwood, 105-38
W, Missouri State, 126-117
L, Missouri, 149-92

Last Time Out
It wasn’t as close as Drury’s loss to the Missouri women, but the Panther men still managed to give the SEC Mizzou Tigers a run for their money with wins in both relays (400 medley/3:17.74, 200 free/1:22.36), while Nick McCarthy topped the 50 free in 20.69. Drury’s strength in the sprint events, however, could not overcome Mizzou’s depth.

2. Florida Southern, 4
Results

3rd, All-Florida Invite
W, Tampa, 138-124
W, Saint Leo, 143-119
W, Florida Tech, 126-74
W, Rollins, 154-50
2nd, Sharks Invitational
W, Emory, 165-97
W, Nova Southeastern, 146-59
W, Indian River State College, 114-90

Last Time Out
The Florida Southern Mocs finished the dual meet season undefeated with a triumph against NJCAA opponent Indian River State College. That’s the first time in the team’s 10-year history that the Mocs wound up with an unblemished record. Robbie Swan and Allan Gutierrez each provided a pair of victories for the Mocs against The River.

3. Queens (Charlotte), T2
Results

W, Gardner-Webb
L, Wingate
W, Davidson
1st, Fall Frenzy
W, Lenior Rhyne
W, St. Andrews
L, South Carolina

Last Time Out
Legitimate NCAA Division I talent Matt Josa had the chance to show off his abilities against NCAA DI school South Carolina in a two-day dual meet to close out the season. Josa topped the 100 back with a B cut 48.97, before crushing the 100-yard fly field by four seconds with a 48.45. Josa then helmed the 400 free relay to a win in 3:06.13.

4. Grand Valley State, T2
Results

W, Northern Michigan, 138-105
L, UW-Milwaukee, 191-112
W, Hillsdale, 159-77
W, Calvin, 149-93
W, Ashland, 138-90
W, Lewis, 191-90
L, Michigan State, 162-138
1st, Doug Coers Invite
1st, Calvin College Invitational
2nd, FIU Invitational
L, Indianapolis, 181-119
W, Findlay, 203-33 (virtual meet)

Last Time Out
With inclement weather keeping Findlay from visiting Allendale, Mich., for GVSU’s senior day, the two teams still managed to compete with a virtual meet where both squads swam in their own pools and scored the times in dual meet format. The Laker men swamped Findlay in the final meet of the season with a handful of new pool records going up on the board.

5. Wingate, 5
Results

1st, Wingate Quad Meet
W, Queens, 140-105
Fall Frenzy
2nd, SCAD Invitational
L, UNC Wilmington, 138.5-121.5
L, South Carolina, 187-130
L, Queens, 171-143

Last Time Out
Senior Marko Blazevski, one of the top swimmers in the NCAA Division II ranks, had a strong outing against South Carolina and Queens. Blazevski turned in a 3:58.18 to win the 400 IM, and took second in the 1000 free (9:32.64). He also helped the 400 free relay to second-place honors in 3:06.30.

T6. Lindenwood, 7
Results

3rd, Show-Me Showdown
W, Truman State, 179-83
W, Saint Louis
W, Missouri S&T
3rd, Drury Invitational
1st, Delta State Invitational
1st, Washington U Invitational
L, Drury, 105-38
W, Missouri S&T
L, Missouri State, 166-70

Last Time Out
Although Lindenwood didn’t have an event win in a three-way dual against Missouri S&T and Missouri State, the squad still managed to beat Missouri S&T. Sylwester Borowicz-Skoneczyny finished second in both of the distance freestyles with second-place finishes in the 500 and 1000 free.

T6. Tampa, 6
Results

L, Florida Southern
L, Indian River State
W, Saint Leo
W, Florida Tech
L, Nova Southeastern
1st, Nova Southeastern Invitational
2nd, Tampa Relay Carnival
W, Rollins

Last Time Out
The Tampa Spartans rolled through Rollins College to close out the regular season. Danny Duhiq, Runar Borgen and Scott Nocco each won a pair of individual events. Duhiq won the 200 free and 100 breast with Borgen taking the 50 back and 100 free. Nocco topped the 50 breast and 100 IM.

8. Wayne State, 18
Results

W, Calvin
W, Olivet Nazarene
L, Oakland
W, Ashland
3rd Eastern Michigan Invitational
W, Grand Valley State
W, Findlay
L, Eastern Michigan

Last Time Out
The Wayne State men had an equally impressive rise up the rankings as its women’s squad, catapulting from 18th up to 8th in the final rankings. In WSU’s last time out, the Warriors battled NCAA Division I Eastern Michigan. Piotr Jachowicz won the 100 breast in 55.20 and the 200 IM in 1:50.35, both NCAA B cuts, to lead the way for WSU.

9. UC San Diego, 8
Results

W, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 174-126
L, UC Santa Barbara, 183-113
2nd, Arena Invitational
W, Cal State East Bay, 146-59
L, Air Force, 166-127
L, Grand Canyon, 158-104
L, Incarnate Word, 134-128
W, CSU Bakersfield, 150-148
W, Cal Baptist, 178-122

Last Time Out
Nicholas Korth led the Tritons to a victory against the Cal Baptist Lancers as he swept the breaststroke events for the third straight meet and fifth time in seven dual meets this year. He won the 100 in 56.71 and 200 in 2:04.02.

10. Bridgeport, T10
Results

W, Queens (NY), 115-89
W, St. Rose, 141-107
3rd, TCNJ Invitational
W, Pace, 137-118

Last Time Out
The Purple Knights had a strong outing against Pace to ring in the new year. Vladislav Paskas won the 1000 free (10:23.05) and 100 free (47.55) to demonstrate some strong range, while Oscar Pereiro claimed the 50 free (21.32) and 100 back (52.96).

THE REST OF THE BEST
11. Indianapolis, 12
12. West Chester, 9
13. St. Cloud State, T10
14. Delta State, 15
15. Nova Southeastern, 14
16. Missouri S&T, 13
17. Ashland, 20
18. Limestone, 19
19. Fairmont State, 16
20. Cal Baptist, 17
21. Lewis, 22
22. Malone, 23
23. Saint Leo, 21
24. Simon Fraser, 24
25. Lake Erie, 25
Also receiving votes: Colorado School of Mines, Gannon, Mesa State, Indiana (PA), Ouachita Baptist, Florida Tech, Bloomsburg, LIU Post, Pfeiffer, Wheeling Jesuit, Truman State

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