Southern California Tops Halloween Release of CSCAA’s First NCAA Women’s Division I Swimming and Diving Rankings

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PHOENIX, Arizona, October 31. THE College Swim Coaches Association of America has released its first NCAA Women's Division I rankings, with Southern California taking the top ranking among the pollsters. As opposed to last week when Florida gained the top spot unanimously in the men's rankings, a trio of teams all had a shot at No. 1 this week including Georgia and defending champions California.

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.

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 Southern California
(2-0, Pac 12 1-0)

Results
W, Utah, 165-88
W, San Diego, 157.5-125.5
1st, SMU Classic

Dave Salo's Women of Troy are a dominant squad that can wreck nearly any team in head-to-head dual meet competition. USC opened up the season 2-0 with a pair of victories over San Diego and Pac 12 foe Utah, and also snagged the prestigious SMU Classic title over the likes of North Carolina, Florida and Texas.

The Trojans have some serious firepower to call upon, with seven of the top-ranked individual times in the country, as well as a pair of leading relay squads. Freshmen Jasmine Tosky and Kendyl Stewart have made immediate impacts already. Tosky leads the country in the 100 fly (52.66), 200 fly (1:55.12) and 200 free (1:45.14), and is sixth in the 200 breast (2:12.80). Meanwhile, Stewart is the top backstroker in the early season with best times in the 100 back (53.41) and 200 back (1:54.11).

Additionally, junior Meghan Hawthorne is a stalwart in her own right, leading the country in both the IMs with a 1:58.80 in the 200 IM and a 4:07.21 in the 400 IM. She's also ninth in the 200 back (1:57.86) and 11th in the 100 breast (1:02.03) providing some remarkable versatility early on.

You know your team is ridiculously deep when open water Olympic silver medalist Haley Anderson, a senior on this year's squad, is still rounding back into pool shape with five top-15 ranked times in the 500 free (3rd/4:44.46), 1000 free (8th/9:49.60), 200 fly (15th/2:00.62), 200 free (15th/1:48.69) and 400 IM (15th/4:18.22). Meanwhile, juniors Kasey Carlson and Stina Gardell are incredibly strong so far as well. Carlson is second in the nation in a trio of events (100 breast: 1:00.20, 100 free: 49.05, 50 free: 22.65), and Gardell is third in the 200 IM (1:59.15) and 400 IM (4:09.16) as well as sixth in the 200 breast (2:12.80). Freshman Andrea Kropp and Henriette Stenkvist also each have nationally-ranked times.

In terms of relay action, USC owns the top 400 medley (3:38.26) and 800 free (7:10.45) times in the nation, while holding second in the 200 medley (1:39.83) and fifth in the 200 free (1:33.09).

#2 Georgia
(3-0, SEC 2-0)

Results
W, @Georgia Tech, 176-115
W, @Arkansas, 187-113
W, Florida, 188-110

Jack Bauerle's Bulldogs have started off the season strong with a 3-0 record, including a pair of wins in Southeastern Conference action. First, the Dawgs downs in-state rival Georgia Tech before dusting off #21 Arkansas and #11 Florida in a pair of big-time early-season battles.

First and foremost, when talking about Georgia, one must talk about returning Olympic hero Allison Schmitt. Schmitt came home from the 2012 London Games with three gold medals, including a triumph in the 200 free. She also earned silver in the 400 free, and bronze in the 400 free relay for a combined five medals from London after taking the year off from Georgia last year to train for the Olympics. Schmitt is getting herself back into the short course mindset, currently ranked fourth in the 100 free (49.76) and fifth in the 200 free (1:46.66) in her senior year of swimming.

Sophomore Amber McDermott and senior Megan Romano have also had strong starts to the season. McDermott is second in the 1000 free (9:44.63) and fifth in the 500 free (4:46.99), while Romano is ranked fourth in the 50 free (22.77) and 11th in the 100 back (54.77). If Romano can replicate her stunning efforts at NCAAs, where she threw down the fastest freestyle legs ever, Georgia could wind up being particularly scary by the end of the year.

Several freshmen are also earning their scholarship money early for Georgia as Hali Flickinger, Brittany MacLean, Chantal Van Landeghem and Annie Zhu are all nationally ranked so far this season. Flickinger is fourth in the 200 fly (1:57.92), eighth in the 400 IM (4:15.03) and 16th in the 200 IM (2:02.75), while Zhu is 10th in the 200 IM (2:01.83), 11th in the 200 breast (2:13.83) and 13th in the 100 breast (1:02.08). MacLean and Van Landeghem are 12th and 14th on opposite sides of the spectrum in the 1000 free and 50 free, respectively. Senior Kelsey Gaid, sophomore Madeline Locus, senior Jana Mangimelli, junior Melanie Margalis, sophomore Nicole Vernon and junior Shannon Vreeland are also ranked nationally.

Georgia leads the nation in the 400 free relay (3:19.30), and is sixth in the 200 free relay (1:33.27) and ninth in the 200 medley relay (1:41.84).

#3 California
(2-0, Pac 12 1-0)

Schedule
1st, Early Bird Invitational
W, @BYU, 158-118
W, @Utah, 184-115

The defending champs, Teri McKeever's California Golden Bears always has the lineup to compete with the best in the nation. And, to think, the team will get even better in 2013-14 with the inclusion of the best high school recruit in history Missy Franklin.

But, two of the top recruits from last year are definitely making huge impacts this season as freshmen Rachel Bootsma and Elizabeth Pelton are doing some major damage already this year. Bootsma, an Olympic gold medalist as part of the 400 medley relay in London, is eighth in the country in the 100 back (54.49) and 100 fly (54.48) so far this year. Pelton, meanwhile, is the most versatile swimmer in the country early on with five ranked efforts already. She's second in the 200 IM (1:58.91), fourth in the 100 back (54.06) and 200 back (1:56.89) seventh in the 400 IM (4:14.28) and eighth in the 200 free (1:47.58).

Caitlin Leverenz, an Olympic bronze medalist in the 200-meter IM at the 2012 London Olympics, is also finding her feet back in the short course realm. She's ranked 16th in the 400 IM with a 4:18.27, but has plenty left in the tank as she will put herself back into national-title contention by the end of the year. Plus, former NCAA champion Cindy Tran has yet to throw down one of her standard underwater clinics in backstroke so far this year, but will be on form by championship time.

California is also strong in the relays without being tested yet this season with a 2-0 record, including a pair of road victories in the state of Utah. The Golden Bears are sixth in the 800 free (7:29.89), 10th in the 400 medley (3:45.90), 13th in the 200 free (1:34.81) and 14th in the 400 free (3:26.08).

#4 Texas A&M
(3-0, SEC 1-0)

Results
W, @South Carolina, 190-102
W, North Carolina, 174.5-123.5
W, @SMU, 153-103

It does not hurt to have two returning Olympians to rely on as Steve Bultman's Texas A&M Aggies have opened up 3-0, and 1-0 in their first season of competition in the Southeastern Conference with a road win over South Carolina.

Junior Breeja Larson, an Olympic gold medalist as part of Team USA's 400 medley relay in London, is on top of the nation in the 100 breast with a sizzling 59.88 already this season. She also stands second in the country in the 200 breast with a 2:10.90. Junior Cammile Adams, who also competed at the 2012 London Olympics, but in the 200-meter fly, is sixth in the country in the 1000 free (9:47.89) and 10th in the 200 fly (1:59.55) as she continues to find her way back into short course training.

Sophomore Sarah Henry could win nearly any Perseverance Award available in the sport after fighting back from multiple injuries, including a pair of ACL tears, to now stand ranked in three events (500 free: 4:48.10, 200 free: 1:48.29, 200 IM: 2:02.26).

Additionally, junior Caroline McElhany, senior Maureen McLaine and senior Tess Simpson are also among those nationally ranked in events. The Aggies also boast the fourth-ranked 200 medley relay in the country with a 1:40.84.

T#5 Auburn
(3-0, SEC 2-0)

Results
W, Alabama, 182-62
W, LSU, 218.5-78.5
W, Notre Dame, 166-132

One of the deeper teams in the country in terms of both strength and numbers, Brett Hawke's Tigers are already 3-0 this season with wins over in-state rival Alabama, SEC foe LSU and #18 Notre Dame.

While the squad doesn't boast any top-ranked times in the nation so far, Auburn definitely has plenty of top-five efforts to provide Hawke with a scary amount of lineup choices. Senior Katie Gardocki is third in the 1000 free (9:45.42), fourth in the 1650 free (16:35.05) and 12th in the 500 free (4:49.07), while senior Micah Lawrence is fourth in the 100 breast (1:00.87) and fifth in the 200 breast (2:12.33). Additionally, junior Olivia Scott is fourth in the 100 fly (50.21) and eighth in the 200 IM (2:01.59), while freshman Jillian Vitarius is fifth in both the 100 back (54.40) and 200 back (1:56.98).

Not to mention that senior Becca Jones, junior Haley Krakoski, sophomore Sarah Peterson and senior Hannah Riordan all also are national ranked, with Riordan on the fringes of the top five with sixth in the 50 free (22.98) and eighth in the 100 free (50.21).

The Tigers also have four ranked relays, second in the 400 medley (3:39.10), third in the 200 free (1:32.29), sixth in the 200 medley (1:41.05) and eighth in the 400 free (3:23.32).

T#5 Stanford
(1-0, Pac 12 0-0)

Results
W, San Jose State, 162.5-135.5

Greg Meehan's Stanford Cardinal have definitely had a light load in the early season, with just a single dual meet dating back to September against San Jose State. The Cardinal, however, are perennial powers and will be looking to keep that status under its new head coach.

Junior Maya DiRado led the way against SJSU with a pair of individual triumphs. She top the 200 free in 1:50.67, and took home the 100 fly race in 56.25.

Former head coach Lea Maurer did not leave the cupboard bare when she left, as the Cardinal has some strong team members like junior Sara Giberson, freshman Sarah Haase, junior Felicia Lee, senior Andi Murez, sophomore Maddy Schaefer, senior Kaia Simmons and junior Andie Taylor.

#7 Texas
(2-0, Big 12 0-0)

Results
4th, SMU Classic
W, Indiana, 172-128
W, Michigan, 217-83

Although first-year head coach Carol Capitani had a tough time in the SMU Classic with the Longhorns winding up fourth in the specialized event, Texas made their mark in a tri-meet sweep with #13 Indiana and #20 Michigan.

Senior Laura Sogar is the early leader on the squad, as it takes its first steps out of the Kim Brackin era. Sogar leads the nation in the 200 breast with a 2:10.60, while standing third in the 100 breast with a 1:00.60.

Sophomore Kaitlin Pawlowicz has also made some significant noise with five ranked times. She's third in the 1650 free (16:33.49), fifth in the 1000 free (9:45.76), eighth in the 200 fly (1:58.72), ninth in the 500 free (4:48.23) and 12th in the 400 IM (4:16.35). Meanwhile, classmates Gretchen Jaques and Kelsey Leneave are also national ranked in the 100 breast/100 fly, and 1000 free/500 free, respectively.

Senior Kelsey Amundsen also provides some leadership for the Horns, with a seventh-ranked 23.00 in the 50 free, a 10th-ranked 50.33 in the 100 free and 14th-ranked 54.78 in the 100 fly.

All five of the Longhorn relays are ranked. Texas is second in the 400 free (3:21.11), fourth in the 200 free (1:33.06) and 800 free (7:24.47), fifth in the 400 medley (3:42.36) and eighth in the 200 medley (1:41.57).

#8 Tennessee
(4-0, SEC 1-0)

Results
W, @UNC-Wilmington, 195-99
W, @Kentucky, 201-98
W, Indiana, 183-117
W, Louisville, 190-107

Matt Kredich's Lady Volunteers have not missed a beat from their sensational season a year ago when they took second in the SEC and seventh at NCAAs, the best season for UT in 20 years. This year, UT is already 4-0 with big wins against #13 Indiana and #19 Louisville.

Junior Lindsay Gendron is a force to be reckoned with, leading the nation in the 1650 free (16:22.25) and third in the 200 free (1:46.30). She's also seventh in the 500 free (4:48.04), 11th in the 400 IM (4:15.95) and 15th in the 200 IM (2:02.67). Senior Kelsey Floyd also has done some early damage with third-ranked times in the 100 fly (53.44) and 200 fly (1:57.44) and is 10th in the 200 free (1:47.87).

Freshman Amanda Carner, sophomore Molly Hannis and freshman Faith Johnson also are nationally-ranked swimmers in the early top times.

The Lady Vols lead the nation in the 200 medley relay with a 1:39.82, while also standing sixth in the country with a 3:22.43 in the 400 free relay.

#9 Arizona
(4-0, Pac 12 1-0)

Results
W, Hawaii, No score reported
W, Washington State, 121-76
W, UNLV, 188-105
W, Denver, 204-86

Eric Hansen's Wildcats have walked right through an easy early schedule with a 4-0 record already on the scoreboard. The squad will see an immediate uptick in the difficulty in its schedule with road meets against USC and UCLA in Los Angeles next weekend.

Junior Margo Geer, one of the favorites for an NCAA sprint title this year, is the best in the nation in the 100 free (48.58) and third in the 50 free (22.75). She's also sixth with a 1:46.82 in the 200 free. Meanwhile, senior Ellyn Baumgardner is eighth in the 100 breast with a 1:01.84, while freshman Bonnie Brandon is ranked in three events in the 100 back (6th/54.43), 200 back (12th/1:58.19) and 500 free (15th/4:49.70).

Junior Kait Flederbach, freshman Megan Lafferty, senior Chelsey Salli, freshman Emma Schoettmer and senior Lauren Smart are also ranked nationally, while the Wildcats have a quartet of relays ranked favorably. Arizona is second in the 200 free (1:31.86), third in the 200 medley (1:40.56) and 400 free (3:21.82) and sixth in the 400 medley (3:43.57).

#10 North Carolina
(2-1, ACC 1-0)

Results
W, @South Carolina, 198-99
L, Texas A&M, 174.5-123.5
2nd, SMU Classic
W, Virginia Tech, 175-120

Rich DeSelm's Tar Heels have already had some early-season battles, including a tough loss to #4 Texas A&M and a second-place finish in the SMU Classic. Overall, the squad has jumped out to a very strong start in terms of the national rankings, and would be among the top five teams in the country if we implemented championship scoring right this minute.

Junior Stephanie Peacock, who shocked the world last year by winning the 1650-yard freestyle NCAA title, and breaking a 22-year-old NCAA record set by Janet Evans back in 1990, is a leader both in and out of the water for the Tar Heels. She's the top-ranked swimmer in the nation in the 500 free (4:38.39) and 1000 free (9:40.96). She's also fourth in the country in the 200 free (1:45.90).

Senior Katie Nolan is another strong leader for the surging ACC squad with runner-up times in both the 100 fly (52.98) and 200 fly (1:57.01) so far this season, while junior Cari Blalock is ranked in a trio of events in the 400 IM (4th/4:12.14), 100 fly (5th/53.75) and 200 IM (6th/2:00.63). Sophomore Danielle Siverling has also had a strong early season with runner-up times in the 200 free (1:45.90) and 500 free (4:44.30) giving UNC a 1-2 finish against the rest of the nation in the 200 and 500 free events right off the bat.

Freshman Madison Burns is ranked 10th in the 400 IM (4:15.81) and 11th in the 200 IM (2:02.25), while freshman Lauren Earp is 12th in the 200 free (1:48.29). Freshman Emma Nunn is 11th in the 200 fly 2:00.06), while senior Carly Smith is seventh in the 200 back (1:57.09).

UNC is also dangerous in relay competition, with all five relays ranked nationally. The Tar Heels are second in the 800 free (7:10.98), third in the 400 medley (3:39.76), seventh in the 200 free (1:33.79), 10th in the 400 free (3:23.78) and 11th in the 200 medley (1:42.13).

#11 Florida
(1-1, SEC 1-1)

Results
1st, All Florida Invitational
3rd, SMU Classic
L, @Georgia, 188-110
W, @South Carolina, 176-119

Gregg Troy's Gators are definitely a scary team to contend with, but are suffering a huge loss as freshman Sinead Russell is out likely until the spring due to a bicycle injury earlier this month.

She has since explained via Twitter that she is out for 4-6 weeks with the injury, and returned to some in-water training two weeks ago, complaining that it is hard to streamline in a full-arm cast.

The team still has superstar Elizabeth Beisel, now in the role of an upperclassman after a sterling Olympic run in London. Beisel is already a grizzled veteran in terms of her swimming pedigree. She's a two-time Olympian, first representing her country at the Olympics in 2008 as a 15-year-old prodigy. Now, four years later and a silver medal in the 400 IM and bronze in the 200 backstroke from London this summer, Beisel is refocusing on the short course pool. Beisel is an early leader for the NCAA's most valuable swimmer, already ranked in a jaw-dropping seven events. She's second in the country in the 200 back (1:55.88) and 400 IM (4:07.59), fourth in the 200 IM (1:59.69) and 500 free (4:45.55), fifth in the 200 fly (1:58.26), 10th in the 100 back (54.71) and 11th in the 200 free (1:48.07). Talk about a huge cog to throw into the mix for Troy wherever he needs dual meet points.

While Canadian Olympian Russell has earned the bulk of the early news for Florida, classmate Natalie Hinds is starting off strong with a trio of nationally-ranked swims. She's fifth in the 100 free (49.85), sixth in the 100 fly (53.95) and seventh in the 50 free (23.00).

Junior Alicia Mathieu is ranked fifth in the 1650 free (16:37.03) and ninth in the 1000 free (9:50.08), while senior Jamie Bohunicky is seventh in the 1650 free (16:50.77) and 14th in the 500 free (4:49.52). The Gators also have the sixth-ranked 1650 free with a 16:39.26 from freshman Jessica Thielmann and an eighth-ranked 16:51.13) from sophomore Jordan Smith to give the Gators a strong distance advantage in duals.

Junior Kaitlin Frehling, freshman Ashlee Linn, junior Hilda Luthersdottir and sophomore Rebecca Rainer are also nationally-ranked swimmers, while Florida also has all five relays in the top five. The Gators lead the 200 free (1:31.72), are third in the 800 free (7:21.37), fourth in the 400 free (3:21.98) and 400 medley (3:41.72) and are fifth in the 200 medley (1:40.95).

#12 Minnesota
(4-0, Big Ten 2-0)

Results
W, @Michigan, 196-99
W, Iowa State, 144-140
W, @Kansas, 179-119
W, Wisconsin, 183-112

Terry Nieszner's Golden Gophers are 4-0 with a pair of conference wins over ranked Big Ten foes #20 Michigan and #23 Wisconsin already this year.

Freshman Kierra Smith is the top swimmer on the squad so far this year, having already moved to eighth in the nation in the 200 breast (2:13.20) as a Canadian import from Kelowna, British Columbia. Sophomores Kiera Janzen, Jessica Plant and Becca Weiland also have nationally-ranked efforts with a pair of top 15 times each, while junior Tess Behrens is 15th overall in the 100 back (55.03).

Minnesota also looks strong in relay action with a pair of seventh-ranked efforts in the 200 medley (1:41.13) and 400 free (3:22.47).

#13 Indiana
(2-2, Big Ten 1-0)

Results
W, @Kentucky, 189-111
L, Tennessee, 183-117
W, Michigan, 223-77
L, @Texas, 172-128

While Ray Looze's Hoosiers might have just a .500 record with a 2-2 slate thus far, the squad definitely has had one of the tougher schedules so far this year with losses to #8 Tennessee and #7 Texas. Indiana has, however, smashed #20 Michigan and trounced Kentucky on the road.

Junior Lindsay Vrooman has provided early leadership for the Hoosiers with a second-ranked 1650 free (16:33.45) and third-ranked 1000 free (9:45.42) as well as 11th in the 500 free (4:48.85). Freshman Brooklyn Snodgrass has been an early-season revelation with third-ranked times in the 100 back (53.96) and 200 back (1:56.05).

Freshman Haley Lips, freshman Taylor O'Brien, sophomore Cynthia Pammett, junior Bronwyn Pasloski and senior Ashley Specht also have turned in nationally-ranked efforts in the early season. IU is also ranked fifth in the 400 free relay (3:22.35) and 14th in the 200 medley relay (1:42.72).

#14 Virginia
(2-0, ACC 0-0)

Results
W, Navy, 168-118
W, @Pittsburgh, 155-131

Mark Bernardino's Cavaliers are another team without much of an early-season resume, having a pair of victories to start the season. However, when you wield a weapon like Olympic gold medalist Lauren Perdue, you are going to get some respect.

Perdue, who had a rough end to her collegiate season with a serious back injury last year, bounced back in a huge way this summer with an Olympic bid that netted her a gold medal as part of the 800 free relay. She started off her senior season strong with a top-ranked 50 free in 22.59 and a third-ranked 49.67 in the 100 free.

Freshman Courtney Bartholomew has made a strong first impression with second in the 100 back (53.91) and sixth in the 200 back (1:57.06) already in the national rankings, while junior Rachel Naurath is maturing into an emotional leader for the Cavaliers with sixth in the 200 fly (1:58.30), ninth in the 200 free (1:47.76), 10th in the 500 free (4:48.52) and 14th in the 1000 free (9:55.43).

Sophomore Shaun Casey, junior Charlotte Clarke, sophomore Alison Haulsee, sophomore Kelly Offutt and sophomore Ellen Williamson are also nationally ranked thus far this year.

#15 UCLA
(3-0, Pac 12 2-0)

Results
W, Oregon State, 197-92
W, UC Santa Barbara, 198-110
W, Utah, 211-83

Cyndi Gallagher's Bruins started off the season on the right foot with a quad-meet sweep of Oregon State, UC Santa Barbara and Utah.

The team relied on multiple wins from junior Ting Quah and freshman Katie Kinnear and a diving sweep from Paulina Guzman. However, junior Anna Senko had the highest ranked swim with a 2:02.55 in the 200 IM for 14th in the nation. UCLA also owns the 13th-ranked 200 medley relay in the country with a 1:42.58.

#16 Arizona State
(2-0, Pac 12 1-0)

Results
W, Grand Canyon, 179-80
W, Washington State, 170-88

Dorsey Tierney-Walker's Sun Devils tuned up their season with a strong tri-meet sweep of Pac 12 foe Washington State and rising in-state competitor Grand Canyon. ASU captured 12 of the 14 events, with a trio of the wins going to Shannon Landgrebe in the 200 free (1:51.45), 50 free (23.72) and 100 free (50.60). Junior Tristin Baxter also had a strong start with a pair of victories in the 200 fly (2:03.33) and 500 free (4:55.00).

#17 LSU
(4-1, SEC 1-1)

Results
W, @Centenary, 64-38
W, @Vanderbilt, 181-80
L, @Auburn, 218.5-78.5
W, @Tulane, 174-69
W, NC State, 167-132

Dave Geyer's Tigers have definitely been road warriors this season, opening up the year with a four-meet road trip during which they went 3-1. They have since beaten NC State to run their record to 4-1 overall, with a loss to #5 Auburn, and also recently hired former Arizona Wildcat NCAA titlist Cory Chitwood as a new assistant coach.

Junior Torrey Bussey leads the way for the Tigers with a 16th-ranked time of 1:02.30 in the 100 breast, while the squad also has the 10th-ranked time in the nation in the 200 medley relay with a 1:41.97. The backstroke and IM events could definitely see an upswing with Chitwood now in place as a rising young coach.

#18 Notre Dame
(0-1, Big East 0-0)

Results
1st, Dennis Stark Relays
L, @Auburn, 166-132

Even during an emotionally-turbulent season during which head coach Brian Barnes lost the love of his life Alyssa to cancer at just 37 years of age, the Fighting Irish still managed to put together a top 25 showing at the NCAA Championships in Auburn, Ala., Barnes and his squad are looking to build on that foundation heading into this season. The team already took home its own Dennis Stark Relays title, and sustained a road loss to #5 Auburn.

Sophomore Emma Reaney, however, has started where she left off last year during a stunning freshman season. This year, she's already ranked seventh in the 100 breast (1:01.31), ninth in the 200 IM (2:01.81) and 13th in the 200 breast (2:14.38). The Fighting Irish are also ranked seventh in the country in the 400 medley relay with a 3:43.80 to their credit early on. It also can't hurt that for the first time in a long time, the football team is making some genuine noise in terms of a national title hunt.

#19 Louisville
(1-1, Big East 0-0)

Results
W, Xavier, 183-73
5th, SMU Classic
L, @Tennessee, 190-107

Arthur Albiero's Cardinals kicked off the season with an impressive outing against Xavier, before running up against some stiff competition at both the SMU Classic and against #8 Tennessee. Albiero is relying on a strong, but young, core of swimmers this year. Freshman Kelsi Worrell has a trio of ranked times in the 100 fly (7th/54.21), 100 free (14th/50.45) and 50 free (16th/23.18), while sophomores Abby Chin and Tanja Kylliainen are also nationally-ranked swimmers at this point in the season.

Notably, Louisville has a bevy of strong relay times, with three being ranked ninth in the country (200 free (1:34.11), 400 free (3:23.51) and 800 free (7:33.68). The Cardinals also have the 16th-ranked 400 medley with a 3:49.65.

#20 Michigan
(1-3, Big Ten 1-2)

Results
W, Wisconsin, 157-143
L, Minnesota, 196-99
L, Indiana, 223-77
L, @Texas, 217-83

In their first year as part of a merged program under Mike Bottom, the Wolverines have had a rough start to the season with some powerful competition. They knocked off Wisconsin in the season opener, before falling to Minnesota, #13 Indiana and #7 Texas. Senior Adrienne Bicek has the best swim on the team so far this year with a 13th-ranked 1000 free time of 9:55.08.

#21 Arkansas
(3-1, SEC 2-1)

Results
1st, Razorback Relays
L, Georgia, 187-113
W, Southern Illinois, 244-56
W, Kentucky, 212-88
W, @Missouri, 197-103

Head coach Sean Schimmel has had a strong start to his first season at the helm at Arkansas, with the Razorbacks opening up 3-1, with a 2-1 record in the always tough Southeastern Conference. The squad's only loss is to #2 Georgia to start the dual meet season after a victory at the Razorback Relays.

Sophomore Shana Lim is ranked 14th in the country in the 100 back with a 54.95, while freshman Anna Mayfield has had a strong maiden season thus far with a 15th-ranked 1:58.69 in the 200 back. Arkansas also fields 12th-ranked relays in the 200 free (1:34.69) and 200 medley (1:42.29).

#22 Florida State
(7-0, ACC 3-0)

Results
2nd, All Florida Invitational
W, @Florida Gulf Coast, 173-122
W, @Miami, 184-115
W, @Florida Atlantic, 181-114
W, Florida International, 189-101
W, Virginia Tech, 179-120
W, UNC-Wilmington, 246-54
W, Duke, 203-91

The most active team in the early part of the season thus far, Neil Harper's Seminoles have already rung up an impressive 7-0 record with a 3-0 start against conference foes in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Junior Tiffany Oliver has been impressive thus far for FSU, ranking sixth in the nation in the 100 free (49.91) and ninth in the 50 free (23.05). Meanwhile, sophomore Kaitlyn Dressel is seventh in the nation in the 100 free (50.10) and 14th in the 50 free (23.17) leading to some strong relay legs as FSU is eighth in the 200 free (1:33.92) and 800 free (7:32.82) relays as well as 11th in the 400 medley (3:46.04) and 12th in the 400 free (3:24.74) relays.

Additionally, junior Julia Henkel is ranked 13th in the 1650 free with a 16:59.37 to provide a distance threat on the other side of the spectrum.

#23 Wisconsin
(3-2, Big Ten 1-2)

Results
W, @Michigan State, 209-91
L, @Michigan, 157-143
W, Milwaukee, 175-118
W, Green Bay, 140-94
L, @Minnesota, 183-112

Whitney Hite's Badgers have had plenty of action already this season, starting off 3-2 with their only losses coming to #12 Minnesota and #20 Michigan. Sophomore Ivy Martin is a swift sprinter for Wisconsin, with a fifth-ranked time of 22.90 in the 50 free, while freshman Jenny Holtzen has already made her mark with a ninth-ranked 16:51.62 in the 1650 free. Additionally, the Badgers are ranked 11th in the 400 free relay (3:23.79) and 14th in the 200 free relay (1:34.84).

#24 Purdue
(1-0, Big Ten 0-0)

Results
W, Miami (Ohio), 179-109

John Klinge's Boilermakers haven't had much competition just yet, with just a single victory against Miami of Ohio. But, Purdue is perennially a top-25 ranked squad, especially when you take into consideration Adam Soldati's incredible diving contingent. Junior Carly Mercer leads the way in swimming with a 16th-ranked 50.50 in the 100 free, while the team also has the 16th-ranked 400 free relay with a 3:26.47.

#25 San Diego State
(2-0, Mountain West 1-0)

Results
W, San Diego, 72-21
W, UNLV, 146-143
1st, Pacific Invitational
Mike Shrader's Aztecs captured the final ranked spot to score one for the Mid Majors after opening up the season with a 2-0 record, including a close conference conquest of UNLV. Senior Melanie Garibaldi and junior Kelly Marquenie are both ranked in the 1650 with 10th-ranked 16:55.22 and 12th-ranked 16:58.24 times, respectively. SDSU also boasts the 10th-ranked 800 free relay (7:35.27) and 11th-ranked 200 free relay (1:34.30) times in the nation.

Also receiving votes: Missouri, Virginia Tech, Penn State, West Virginia, Kansas, Ohio State, UNLV, NC State

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