USC Unanimous Top-Ranked Team in CSCAA NCAA Women’s Division I Rankings

PHOENIX, Arizona, January 16. THE College Swim Coaches Association of America has released its latest NCAA Women's Division I rankings, with Southern California earning the top ranking unanimously this week. While most of the rankings remained static, Auburn and Arkansas made some big moves with some big wins since the last poll.

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 (8-0, Pac 12 4-0)
Last Poll: 1

Results
W, Utah, 165-88
W, San Diego, 157.5-125.5
1st, SMU Classic
W, Washington State, 137-58
W, #9 Arizona, 155-134
W, #16 Arizona State, 118-116
Arena Cup
U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals
—Since last poll—
W, Hawaii, 158-146
W, Boise State, 163-41
W, Wisconsin, 144.5-109.5

During the winter break, USC took advantage of a trip to Hawaii with a dual meet sweep of Hawaii and Boise State to move to 7-0 on the season. Senior Haley Anderson had a strong meet with a pair of wins in the 500 (4:51.19) and 1000 free (9:52.34), leading the Trojans as they won 17 of the 18 individual events in the meet. USC then pushed its record to 8-0 with a triumph over Wisconsin in Los Angeles, where Anderson continued to have a strong winter with a 9:53.07 to win the 1000 free.

#2 GEORGIA (8-0, SEC 4-0)
Last Poll: 3

Results
W, @Georgia Tech, 176-115
W, @Arkansas, 187-113
W, Florida, 188-110
W, Missouri, 186-106
W, Emory, 111-86
Georgia Invitational
—Since last poll—
Tennessee Diving Invitational
W, SCAD, 178-73
W, N.C. State, 151-99
W, #5 Texas, 143-100

The Lady Bulldogs demonstrated their power with a conquest of then No. 5 Texas during Senior Day at the Gabrielsen Natatorium. That sent the likes of Olympian Allison Schmitt out on a good note as she finishes up her senior season. Schmitt topped the 200 free with a time of 1:47.16, while fellow Olympian Shannon Vreeland claimed the 500 free against Texas in 4:48.57.

#3 CALIFORNIA (4-0, Pac 12 1-0)
Last Poll: 4

Schedule
1st, Early Bird Invitational
W, @BYU, 158-118
W, @Utah, 184-115
W, #7 Texas, 172-128
W, #23 Wisconsin, 170-110
1st, Arena Cup
Arizona Diving Invitational
2nd, Georgia Invitational
—Since last poll—
Bruin Diving Invitational

California has been mostly idle since the last meet, having only participated in the UCLA Bruin Diving Invitational where they picked up a pair of top eight finished on the platform by Sara-Lina Boushakra and Kahley Rowell. The Cal divers have definitely been picking up steam of late, having actually scored points at last year's NCAA Championships en route to Teri McKeever's second straight national title.

#4 AUBURN (6-0, SEC 3-0)
Last Poll: 11

Results
W, Alabama, 182-62
W, LSU, 218.5-78.5
W, Notre Dame, 166-132
W, @ Kentucky, 212.5-87.5
Georgia Invitational
Auburn Diving Invitational
—Since last poll—
Tennessee Diving Invitational
W, #5 Texas, 153-145
W, #2 Texas A&M, 158-141

The nation has been waiting to see some of the arsenal at Auburn's disposal this year, and the Tigers finally decided to show a little bit of their potential with a pair of close wins over top-five opponents to improve to 6-0 and 3-0 in the Southeastern Conference.

Auburn first downed then No. 5 Texas at home with 12 out of 16 event victories. Katie Gardocky really shined with a trio of individual wins against the Longhorns as she topped the 1000 free (9:45.06) and 200 free (1:48.06) in back-to-back fashion before clinching the 500 free in 4:49.58 to end the day.

Then Auburn triumphed over then No. 2 Texas A&M in College Station behind a strong outing by junior Olivia Scott. Scott won the 200 free (1:48.51) and 100 fly (52.71) while also helping the 200 medley relay to victory in 1:39.15. She also turned heads with a winning 2:00.19 in the 200 IM, besting Sarah Henry by nearly two seconds.

#5 TEXAS A&M (5-1, SEC 2-1)
Last Poll: 2

Results
W, @South Carolina, 190-102
W, North Carolina, 174.5-123.5
W, @SMU, 153-103
W, @ #11 Florida, 196-104
1st, Phill Hansel Invitational
—Since last poll—
W, Rice, 168-94
L, #11 Auburn, 158-141

The Texas A&M Aggies fell from the ranks of the unbeaten since the last poll with a 158-141 loss to then No. 11 Auburn as the Tigers began to show their cards to the rest of the country. This loss came after a drubbing of Rice in Houston before the beginning of the winter break. A&M's Olympians Cammile Adams and Breeja Larson had the top outings for the Aggies, as Adams clinched the 200 fly (1:56.32) and 500 free (4:46.35), with Larson smashing the 100 and 200 breaststroke events with times of 59.23 and 2:07.47. Larson downed fellow National Teamer Micah Lawrence in both events in the process.

#6 ARIZONA (7-2, Pac 12 2-2)
Last Poll: 6

Results
W, Hawaii, No score reported
W, Washington State, 121-76
W, UNLV, 188-105
W, Denver, 204-86
L, @ #1 USC, 155-134
L, @ #15 UCLA, 157-141
Arizona Diving Invitational
U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals
—Since last poll—
W, Oregon State, 218-69
W, Northern Arizona, 221-76
W, New Mexico State, 221-76
Bruin Diving Invitational

Arizona improved its dual meet record to 7-2 with victories against Oregon State, Northern Arizona and New Mexico State in Tucson during part of its winter training. Super freshman Bonnie Brandon really showed up during the meet with victories in the 100 back (55.70), 200 back (2:01.30) and 500 free (4:58.28).

#7 TEXAS (3-3, Big 12 0-0)
Last Poll: 5

Results
4th, SMU Classic
W, Indiana, 172-128
W, Michigan, 217-83
L, @ #3 California, 172-128
W, @ #5 Stanford, 151.5-148.5
Phill Hansel Invitational
U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals (split squad)
Ohio State Invite (split squad)
—Since last poll—
L, #11 Auburn, 153-145
L, #3 Georgia, 143-100

The Texas Longhorns stumbled to 3-3 with a pair of losses to a pair of highly-ranked Southeastern Conference foes since the last poll. In back-to-back road meets, the Longhorns lost to then No. 11 Auburn before turning around and falling to then No. 3 Georgia on its Senior Day. Against Auburn, senior Laura Sogar clinched a pair of titles with wins in the 100 breast (1:00.99) and 200 breast (2:10.34). She then turned around and won the 200 breast against Georgia with a 2:10.38.

#8 STANFORD (3-1, Pac 12 0-0)
Last Poll: 7

Results
W, San Jose State, 162.5-135.5
W, #23 Wisconsin, 159-130
L, #7 Texas, 151.5-148.5
Arizona Diving Invitational
2nd, Ohio State Invitational
—Since last poll—
W, Pacific, 147-104
Bruin Diving Invitational

Junior Felicia Lee made her triumphant return from shoulder surgery as she earned a win against Pacific in the 100 back (53.92), and helped the 200 medley relay (1:41.60) to victory. Having such a leader back can only help out the Cardinal as the squad starts to turn its focus to the championship season.

#9 FLORIDA (1-3, SEC 1-2)
Last Poll: 9

Results
1st, All Florida Invitational
3rd, SMU Classic
L, @Georgia, 188-110
W, @South Carolina, 176-119
L, #4 Texas A&M, 196-104
L, Florida State, 157-143
1st, Ohio State Invitational
—Since last poll—
Idle

Florida has not competed since the last poll. Elizabeth Beisel, however, was named one of the top 16 most famous people in college by Yahoo! Sports.

#10 VIRGINIA (3-0, ACC 0-0)
Last Poll: 8

Results
W, Navy, 168-118
W, @Pittsburgh, 155-131
W, South Carolina, 161-124
W, @ #11 Indiana, 226-126
W, Penn State, 210-141
3rd, Georgia Invitational
—Since last poll—
Tennessee Diving Invitational

Virginia has largely been idle since the last poll other than competing at the Tennessee Diving Invitational.

#11 TENNESSEE (6-0, SEC 1-0)
Last Poll: 10

Results
W, @UNC-Wilmington, 195-99
W, @Kentucky, 201-98
W, Indiana, 183-117
W, Louisville, 190-107
W, Ohio State, 191-109
1st, Tennessee Invitational
—Since last poll—
Tennessee Diving Invitational
W, Virginia Tech, 186-108

The Tennessee Lady Vols returned from the winter break with a road victory against Virginia Tech to remain unbeaten. The squad captured 15 of 16 events in the conquest as junior Lindsay Gendron had a strong meet with a pool record in the 1000 free (9:44.35) and a win in the 500 (4:45.69). She also would have won the 200 IM (2:03.19), but exhibitioned the race.

#12 UCLA (10-0, Pac 12 5-0)
Last Poll: 13

Results
W, Oregon State, 197-92
W, UC Santa Barbara, 198-110
W, Utah, 211-83
W, UC-Davis, 136-119
W, Washington State, 15-97
W, #16 Arizona State, 190.5-108.5
W, San Diego, 198-92
W, #9 Arizona, 157-141
Arena Invitational
Phill Hansel Invitational (diving)
U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals
—Since last poll—
Bruin Diving Invitational
W, Kansas, 218-81
W, San Diego State, 185-114

UCLA cracked into double digits in terms of win total with Senior Day triumphs against Kansas and San Diego State at the Spieker Aquatics Center. The Bruins also hosted its diving invitational, which featured some of the top diving talent on the West Coast. In the tri-meet against Kansas and SDSU, UCLA won 11 of 16 events with Ting Quah winning three of them. Quah won the 200 free in 1:49.37, the 100 free in 50.75 and the 100 fly in 54.59.

#13 MINNESOTA (6-0, Big Ten 3-0)
Last Poll: 14

Results
W, @Michigan, 196-99
W, Iowa State, 144-140
W, @Kansas, 179-119
W, Wisconsin, 183-112
W, Iowa, 192-103
Minnesota Grand Prix
Jean Freeman Invite
—Since last poll—
W, Hawaii, 201-92

During a training meet in Hawaii, the Golden Gophers took down their hosts 201-92 with a clean sweep of the events this past weekend. Tori Simenec rose to the occasion with a trio of wins, topping the 100 fly (54.88), 200 fly (2:02.18) and 200 IM (2:03.19) in the whitewashing.

#14 PENN STATE (4-2, Big Ten 1-0)
Last Poll: 12

Results
W, West Virginia, 146-97
W, Villanova, 177-116
W, Indiana, 207.5-144.5
L, Virginia, 210-141
5th, Georgia Invitational
—Since last poll—
Tennessee Diving Invitational
North Carolina Relay Duels
L, Arkansas, 151.5-146.5
W, Missouri State, 235-59

After jumping all the way from not-ranked to No. 12 in the country, Penn State faltered a bit during the winter with a loss to unranked Arkansas this weekend. The Nittany Lions lost both relays against Arkansas, putting themselves well on the way to a 151.5-146.5 loss. Amy Modglin, Mackenzie Powers and Paige Whitmore each won a pair of individual events, but that wasn't enough for the Nittany Lions to overcome the Razorbacks.

#15 OHIO STATE (6-1, Big Ten 0-0)
Last Poll: 15

Results
W, Cleveland State, 179-110
W, Kenyon, 168-119
W, Denison, 178.5-110.5
L, @ #8 Tennessee, 191-109
W, @ Ohio, 182-112
3rd, Ohio State Invitational
—Since last poll—
W, Wright State, 171-102
W, Toledo, 189-104

After an early-season loss to Tennessee, Ohio State hasn't looked back. The Buckeyes have rung off three straight wins over regional foes, including a weekend sweep of Wright State and Toledo in Columbus. OSU is gearing up for a big battle with Michigan this weekend.

#16 NORTH CAROLINA (3-1, ACC 1-0)
Last Poll: 16

Results
W, @South Carolina, 198-99
L, Texas A&M, 174.5-123.5
2nd, SMU Classic
W, Virginia Tech, 175-120
2nd, Nike Cup
4th, Ohio State Invitational
—Since last poll—
Tennessee Diving Invitational
Penn State Relay Duel
W, Navy, 213-84

Aside from the Tennessee Diving Invitational and a relay duel against Penn State, North Carolina scored a convincing win against Navy, 213-84. Following what is becoming a trend of swimming off-distance events, the teams competed in short course meter format. This past week, Michigan and Eastern Michigan pulled off a public relations coup by swimming in a 20-yard format and comparing their times against American records from 1967.

#17 LOUISVILLE (3-1, Big East 2-0)
Last Poll: 17

Results
W, Xavier, 183-73
5th, SMU Classic
L, @Tennessee, 190-107
W, #18 Notre Dame, 162-138
2nd, Purdue Invitational
U.S. Winter Short Course Championships
—Since last poll—
Sarasota Invitational
W, Cincinnati, 188-104

Louisville took down Cincinnati in a Big East showdown that featured the Cardinals winning nearly every single event on offer. Gisselle Kohoyda, Kelsi Worrell, Caryle Blondell, Tanja Kylliainen and Abby Chin all won a pair of individual events in the process.

#18 ARKANSAS (5-1, SEC 2-1)
Last Poll: 25

Results
1st, Razorback Relays
L, Georgia, 187-113
W, Southern Illinois, 244-56
W, Kentucky, 212-88
W, @Missouri, 197-103
Phill Hansel Invitational
—Since last poll—
W, #12 Penn State, 151.5-146.5
W, Missouri State, 250-50

Arkansas turned in the biggest upset since last poll with a close win over then No. 12 Penn State, 151.5-146.5. This is Arkansas' best start since the 2010-11 season, a big feather in the cap for first-year head coach Sean Schimmel, pushing the Razorbacks into the top 20 in the rankings.

#19 NOTRE DAME (3-3, Big East 1-1)
Last Poll: 21

Results
1st, Dennis Stark Relays
L, @Auburn, 166-132
L, #24 Purdue, 152-148
W, Pittsburgh, 188-112
L, #19 Louisville, 162-138
1st, Kansas Women's Classic
Hawkeye Invitational (diving)
5th, Ohio State Invitational
—Since last poll—
W, Michigan, 185-115
W, Northwestern, 205-95

Since the last poll, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish claimed a pair of victories over Big Ten foes as Michigan and Northwestern fell against the Irish in Notre Dame. Emma Reaney has shown she is the real deal this year, including knocking down a pair of Rebecca Soni pool records in the process. Reaney won the 100 breast (59.79) and 200 breast (2:10.75). She is the first female swimmer to break a minute in the 100 breast at the Rolfs Aquatic Center, as Soni held the previous record with a 1:00.81 while representing USC in 2007. Soni's 200 breast facility record had stood at 2:11.47 from the same meet in 2007. Reaney also won the 200 IM in 2:00.83.

#20 ARIZONA STATE (4-2, Pac 12 2-2)
Last Poll: T18

Results
W, Grand Canyon, 179-80
W, Washington State, 170-88
L, @ #15 UCLA, 190.5-108.5
L, @ #1 USC, 118-116
2nd, Arena Cup
Arizona Diving Invitational
—Since last poll—
W, Utah, 154-121
W, BYU, 201-94
Bruin Diving Invitational

The Sun Devils took care of both Utah-based schools with victories over Utah and BYU at home in the past month to run their record to 4-2. Most recently, ASU downed BYU with a first-place finisher in all 16 events.

#21 FLORIDA STATE (10-0, ACC 3-0)
Last Poll: T18

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
W, Florida Southern, 179.5-91.5
W, Emory, 185-102
W, Florida, 157-143
1st, Georgia Tech Invitational
—Since last poll—
Idle

After being the most active dual meet team of the fall season, Florida State took the last month off from competition and will not return until this weekend against Arkansas and South Carolina.

#22 INDIANA (2-4, Big Ten 1-1)
Last Poll: 22

Results
W, @Kentucky, 189-111
L, Tennessee, 183-117
W, Michigan, 223-77
L, @Texas, 172-128
L, Penn State, 214.5-137.5
L, Virginia, 235-117
U.S. Winter Short Course Nationals (split squad)
Ohio State Invitational (split squad)
—Since last poll—
Idle

The Hoosiers have been idle since the last poll, and return to action against Notre Dame this weekend.

#23 SMU (1-1, CUSA 1-0)
Last Poll: 23

Results
3rd, Razorback Relays
6th, SMU Classic
L, Texas A&M, 153-103
W, Rice, 156-106
Phill Hansel Invitational
—Since last poll—
Tennessee Diving Invitational

Since first cracking into the top 25 in the last poll, SMU has been mostly idle other than competing at the Tennessee Diving Invitational. The Mustangs return with a tri-meet against Houston and North Texas today.

#24 MISSOURI (4-2, SEC 2-2)

Last Poll: 20

Results
1st, Show-Me Showdown
W, Missouri State, 176-66
W, Kentucky, 164-135
W, Southern Illinois, 215-84
L, Arkansas, 197-103
L, Georgia, 186-106
1st, Missouri Invitational
—Since last poll—
Tennessee Diving Invitational
W, Alabama

Missouri scored a big win against Alabama to get back to .500 in Southeastern Conference action as the Tigers invaded Tuscaloosa and came out with a win. Seniors Dominique Bouchard and Cassie Cunningham each claimed a pair of wins for Mizzou against the Crimson Tide. Bouchard won the 200 back (1:59.49) and 400 IM (4:27.61), while Cunningham took the 100 back (55.15) and 50 free (23.69).

#25 MICHIGAN (2-4, Big Ten 2-2)
Last Poll: 24

Results
W, Wisconsin, 157-143
L, Minnesota, 196-99
L, Indiana, 223-77
L, @Texas, 217-83
Purdue Invitational
Hawkeye Invitational
—Since last poll—
Mike Peppe Invitational, NTS
1st, Orange Bowl Classic
L, Notre Dame, 185-115
W, Northwestern, 192-108

The Wolverines suffered a loss against Notre Dame while grabbing a win against Northwestern to even their Big Ten record at 2-2. Deirdre Jones and Adrienne Bicek each pocketed an individual win in the trimeet as Jones won the 100 free in 51.18, and Bicek topped the 500 free in 4:54.04.

Also received votes: Harvard, San Diego State, Utah, Purdue

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