Stanford, Texas Women Come From Behind to Claim Conference Titles

By Emily Sampl

BOULDER, Colorado, February 28. ANOTHER exciting weekend of conference championship action has come and gone, with several winning streaks continuing and others just beginning. Here are a few highlights from five of the fastest meets this weekend. For complete results from all of the conference meets, check out the College Channel.

Atlantic Coast Conference
The Virginia Cavaliers made it a clean sweep of the men's and women's conference titles this year as the men added their fourth consecutive championship to the trophy case this weekend with 820 points. North Carolina finished second with 588, followed by Florida State (511.5) and Virginia Tech (508.5). Cavalier senior Matt McLean earned the meet's Most Valuable Swimmer award for the third time in his career after winning the 500 free (4:13.53) and 1650 free (14:42.73) and contributing legs on two victorious relays. Florida State's Rob Holderness (100 breast, 53.67; 200 breast, 1:55.34) and North Carolina's Tyler Harris (200 IM, 1:44.99; 400 IM, 3:41.51) also won two events apiece, while North Carolina's Tommy Wyher won his fourth straight title in the 100 back with a 47.13.

Big 12 Conference
After trailing Texas A&M for most of the meet, the Texas women jumped ahead on the final day to capture their 10th conference title in school history, edging the Aggies, 948-931. Missouri (588.5), Kansas (409.5), Nebraska (350) and Iowa State (176) rounded out the rest of the women's field. Meanwhile, the Texas men scored 1,052 points en route to their 15th straight title, ahead of Texas A&M (817) and Missouri (707). Texas' Karlee Bispo and Jimmy Feigen won all three of their individual events to lead the Longhorns. Bispo captured the 200 IM (1:55.15), 200 free (1:43.59) and 100 free (47.98), while Feigen touched first in the 50 free (19.27), 100 fly (46.95) and 100 free (42.46). Both swimmers earned the Swimmer of the Meet honor for their performances, while Texas' Nick D'Innocenzo, who won the 200 breast (1:53.68) and 400 IM (3:44.08), shared the honor on the men's side.

Big Ten Conference
Michigan continued its dominance of the Big Ten, winning its 35th Big Ten conference title this weekend at the University Aquatic Center in Minneapolis with 678 points, ahead of Indiana (604) and Ohio State (593). A trio of freshmen stole the show as Michigan's Kyle Whitaker (200 IM, 1:43.23; 400 IM, 3:41.06) and Sean Ryan (500 free, 4:17.91; 1650 free, 14:50.20), and Indiana's Cody Miller (100 breast, 52.90; 200 breast, 1:54.16) each won two individual events. Whitaker earned the Freshman of the Year award for his efforts. Minnesota's Michael Richards, who won the Swimmer of the Meet award, won the 50 free (19.19) and 100 free (43.20), while Michigan's Dan Madwed (200 free, 1:34.36; 200 fly, 1:41.70) also won two events. Diver David Boudia of Purdue may have had the best meet of anyone, however. Boudia annihilated the competition in all three diving events, setting new conference, meet and pool records in the 1-meter (467.40), 3-meter (509.90) and platform (557.90) events on his way to the Diver of the Meet award.

Mountain West Conference
San Diego State and UNLV rode the strength of their depth en route to the women's and men's Mountain West Conference championships. It marks the first-ever conference championship for the Aztecs, while the Rebels have now won seven straight championships. BYU and Wyoming finished second and third, respectively, in both the men's and women's meets. Freshman Kelly Marquenie led San Diego State with three individual victories in the 500 free (4:44.57), 200 free (1:47.07) and 1650 free (16:15.53), while UNLV's Cody Roberts touched first in the 50 free (19.86), 100 fly (45.70) and 100 free (43.55). BYU's Rachel Grant (200 IM, 1:59.40; 400 IM, 4:10.77; 200 fly, 1:57.19) and Jacob Taylor (200 IM, 1:45.55; 100 back, 47.14; 200 back, 1:43.85) were also triple event winners. Marquenie and Grant shared the Women's Swimmer of the Year award, while Roberts won the Men's Swimmer of the Year award.

Pac-10 Conference
Despite trailing California heading into the final session, the Stanford Cardinal stormed back to successfully defend its Pac-10 conference title, narrowly defeating the Bears, 1,567.5-1,545.5. Southern California took third with 1,309.5 points, followed by UCLA with 1,099.5. USC's Katinka Hosszu stood out at the competition with three individual victories—she touched first in the 200 IM (1:53.53), 400 IM (4:00.04) and 200 fly (1:51.85). Hosszu's time in the 400 IM established a new NCAA record in the event, erasing Julia Smit's 4:00.56 from 2009 from the books. Teammate Haley Anderson also captured two wins, in the 500 free (4:38.78) and 1650 free (15:55.88). Stanford's Kate Dwelley was the only other double event winner in the highly competitive meet, winning the 100 free in 48.14 and 200 free in 1:44.61.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use