Women of Troy Stand Atop Final CSCAA Coaches Poll of the Season

PHOENIX, Arizona, February 18. WITH the championship season about to get underway, the College Swim Coaches Association of American has released its final NCAA Women's Division I rankings with Southern California earning top billing as the best dual meet team in the country. The rest of the rankings remained fairly stable, other than Harvard breaking into the top 25 for the first time.

The goal of the CSCAA rankings committee this year was 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 did 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 were only based on performances that have taken place up to that point in the season.

Notably, Swimming World was 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 (10-1, Pac 12 6-1)
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
W, Hawaii, 158-146
W, Boise State, 163-41
W, Wisconsin, 144.5-109.5
Bruin Diving Invitational
—Since last poll—
W, #7 California, 155-145
L, #2 Stanford, 158-137
W, #12 UCLA, 167.5-132.5

The Trojans had three ranked Pacific 12 battles since the last poll, and managed to go 2-1 in the process, including an exclamation on their season with a cross-town victory over then-No. 12 UCLA, 167.5-132.5. USC did, however, suffer its first loss of the season with a 158-137 defeat to then-No. 2 Stanford in what proved to be a heavyweight battle. The fact that Stanford went on to lose to California for its second loss of the season kept the Trojans in the top spot in the final rankings.

Junior Kasey Carlson had an epic day against the Bruins to close out the regular season. First, she helped the USC 200 medley relay establish a school and pool record as she teamed with Christel Simms, Kendyl Stewart and Kasia Wilk for a 1:36.03. Carlson went on to win the 50 free in 22.74, before doubling up with a 49.33 in the 100 free. The breaststroke sensation out of high school has definitely made the transition to a more NCAA-valuable sprint freestyle slate.

#2 CALIFORNIA (7-2, Pac 12 4-2)
Last Poll: 7

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
Bruin Diving Invitational
L, #6 Arizona, 168.5-112.5
W, #20 Arizona State, 177-121
—Since last poll—
L, #1 Southern California, 155-145
W, #12 UCLA, 165-135
W, #2 Stanford, 154.5-145.5

After suffering a bit of a fall in the last poll due to a loss to Arizona, the two-time defending champions bounced back with a 2-1 record down the stretch in what proved to be a dogfight between California, Southern California, UCLA and Stanford as the four teams jockeyed for position heading into the Pacific 12 Championships. While the Golden Bears took a loss to top-ranked USC two weeks ago, the squad came back with wins against then-No. 12 UCLA and then-No. 2 Stanford. The Stanford win occurred on the Pacific 12 Networks with California alum Natalie Coughlin providing color commentary.

The meet against Stanford served as Senior Day with senior Caitlin Leverenz doing some serious damage against the Cardinal. She took home three individual titles by sweeping the breaststroke events, as well as winning the 200 IM and helping the 200 medley relay to victory.

#3 AUBURN (7-0, SEC 4-0)
Last Poll: 3

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
Tennessee Diving Invitational
W, #5 Texas, 153-145
W, #2 Texas A&M, 158-141
Ralph Crocker Classic
W, #9 Florida, 161-138
—Since last poll—
Idle

After concluding their regular season with a win against Florida, the Auburn Tigers have been focused on the Southeastern Conference Championships, which begin this week in College Station.

#4 STANFORD (7-2, Pac 12 4-1)
Last Poll: 2

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
W, Pacific, 147-104
Bruin Diving Invitational
W, #20 Arizona State, 125-110
W, #6 Arizona, 161-139
—Since last poll—
W, #12 UCLA, 165-135
W, #1 Southern California, 158-137
L, #7 California, 154.5-145.5

The Stanford Cardinal suffered a bit of bad timing in relationship to the fact that this is not a weekly poll. A win against top-ranked USC on Feb. 2 would have been a lock to jump the Cardinal into the top spot in the nation if the team could have managed to hold on against then-No. 7 California. The Golden Bears, however, stopped the steamrolling Stanford with the two teams basically trading places in the poll.

Against USC, Felicia Lee put on a show, demonstrating that she's fully healed from her shoulder surgery earlier in the season. She reset her pool record in the 100 back with a 52.90, while also winning the 100 fly in 53.23.

#5 FLORIDA (3-4, SEC 2-3)
Last Poll: 8

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
W, Florida Atlantic, 169-106
L, #4 Auburn, 161-138
—Since last poll—
W, #4 Tennessee, 167-133

It's been two weeks since Florida closed out its regular season with an upset victory over then-No. 4 Tennessee, 167-133, and the Gators have certainly savored that win heading into the Southeastern Conference Championships this week in College Station, Texas. Senior Jamie Bohunicky closed out her home career with a win in the 500 free (4:39.93).

#6 ARIZONA (10-4, Pac 12 4-3)
Last Poll: 5

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
W, Oregon State, 218-69
W, Northern Arizona, 221-76
W, New Mexico State, 221-76
Bruin Diving Invitational
W, #3 California, 168.5-112.5
L, #8 Stanford, 161-139
—Since last poll—
W, SMU, 230-58
L, #10 Texas, 154-146
W, #23 Arizona State, 203-92

The Arizona Wildcats closed out their regular season with a 2-1 slate including a loss to then-No. 10 Texas and a trouncing of in-state rival then-No. 23 Arizona State. Freshman Bonnie Brandon enjoyed a strong meet against Texas and SMU with wins in the 1000 free (8:43.74) and 500 free (4:49.51). She also took home the 200 back title with a 1:57.34.

#7 TENNESSEE (8-1, SEC 3-1)
Last Poll: 4

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
Tennessee Diving Invitational
W, Virginia Tech, 186-108
W, #2 Georgia, 161-139
—Since last poll—
W, Vanderbilt, 155-86
L, #8 Florida, 167-133

After ascending to the top five with a victory against then-No. 2 Georgia, the Tennessee Lady Volunteers had a tough time keeping the momentum going as the squad suffered a loss to then-No. 8 Florida in the Swamp. Florida claimed some retribution for its loss last year. The Lady Vols put up a fight, winning 8 of the 16 events against Florida. Senior Kelsey Floyd won the 100 and 200 fly, while sophomore Molly Hannis swept the breaststroke events against Florida.

#8 GEORGIA (10-1, SEC 6-1)
Last Poll: 6

Results
W, @Georgia Tech, 176-115
W, @Arkansas, 187-113
W, Florida, 188-110
W, Missouri, 186-106
W, Emory, 111-86
Georgia Invitational
Tennessee Diving Invitational
W, SCAD, 178-73
W, N.C. State, 151-99
W, #5 Texas, 143-100
L, #11 Tennessee, 161-139
—Since last poll—
W, South Carolina, 203-96
W, Alabama, 219-79

The Georgia Lady Bulldogs smashed a pair of Southeastern Conference squads after suffering its only loss of the year against then-No. 11 Tennessee. Hali Flickinger led Georgia with a trio of victories in the tri-meet against Alabama and South Carolina. She won the 100 breast (56.06), 100 fly (55.63) and 200 IM (2:02.43).

#9 TEXAS (6-3, Big 12 1-0)
Last Poll: 10

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)
L, #11 Auburn, 153-145
L, #3 Georgia, 143-100
W, TCU, 147-74
—Since last poll—
W, #5 Arizona, 154-146
W, SMU, 228-66

Texas concluded its regular season with a pair of wins against Arizona and SMU, pushing its record to 6-3 heading into the Big 12 Championships at the end of the month in Austin. Junior diver Maren Taylor did some damage on the boards, sweeping both the one-meter and three-meter events.

#10 TEXAS A&M (9-1, SEC 3-1)
Last Poll: 9

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
W, Rice, 168-94
L, #11 Auburn, 158-141
W, Incarnate Word, 139-98
W, LSU, 179-107
—Since last poll—
W, North Texas, 168-118
W, Houston, 173-110

After its loss to Auburn, Texas A&M hasn't had much competition to focus on other than hosting its first Southeastern Conference Championships this week. The Aggies dismantled in-state foes North Texas and Houston since the last poll to finish the regular season at 9-1.

#11 VIRGINIA (9-0, ACC 2-0)
Last Poll: 11

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
Tennessee Diving Invitational
W, #16 North Carolina, 169-131
W, Duke, 152-122
W, Virginia Tech, 214-151
W, Wisconsin, 182-176
—Since last poll—
Cavalier Invitational

With the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships right around the corner, Virginia tuned up with its Cavalier Invitational. Freshman Courtney Bartholomew teamed with Ellen Williamson, Emily Dicus and Dana Nessler to win the 200 medley relay in 1:42.96 as the Cavaliers looked to get in some last-minute training heading into ACCs.

#12 MINNESOTA (10-0, Big Ten 6-0)
Last Poll: T16

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
W, Hawaii, 201-92
W, North Dakota, 196-94
—Since last poll—
W, #19 Wisconsin, 210-143
W, #25 Purdue, 268-85
W, Illinois, 291-62
Minnesota Challenge

The Minnesota Golden Gophers had a late-season surge, running their final dual meet record to 10-0 with a trio of Big Ten wins in Madison. Kierra Smith had a strong outing in the Big Ten Quad with wins in the 200 breast (2:14.49) and 400 IM (4:22.51) to lead the way for Minnesota.

#13 INDIANA (5-4, Big Ten 2-1)
Last Poll: 13

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)
W, #19 Notre Dame, 175-125
W, Purdue, 179-121
—Since last poll—
W, #15 Louisville, 160-140

The Hoosiers finished the season above .500 after a close conquest of regional rival then-No. 15 Louisville. Ashley Specht proved to be a team leader, sweeping the breaststroke events with wins in the 100 (1:01.69) and 200 (2:14.87).

#14 UCLA (11-3, Pac 12 5-3)
Last Poll: 12

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
Bruin Diving Invitational
W, Kansas, 218-81
W, San Diego State, 185-114
W, Simon Fraser, 114-72
Air Force Diving Invitational
—Since last poll—
L, #2 Stanford, 165-135
L, #7 California, 165-135
L, #1 Southern California, 167.5-132.5

UCLA had been cruising through the season with a undefeated 11-0 record, but ran into the buzzsaw that is the murderer's row of Southern California, California and Stanford. Ting Quah handled the competition well, however, with a win against USC in the 200 free (1:46.36). She also claimed three titles against California with wins in the 50 free (23.14), 100 free (49.85) and 100 fly (53.44).

#15 NORTH CAROLINA (5-2, ACC 3-1)
Last Poll: 14

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
Tennessee Diving Invitational
Penn State Relay Duel
W, Navy, 213-84
L, #10 Virginia, 169-131
W, Duke, 166-127
—Since last poll—
W, N.C. State, 157-142

The Tar Heels turned in a hard-fought 157-142 victory over in-state rivals N.C. State since the last poll. UNC swept the diving and relay events, but still had their hands full with the Wolfpack. A foursome of Tar Heels each won a pair of titles against N.C. State as Kelsey Cummings, Danielle Siverling, Cari Blalock and Katie Nolan all came up with big wins.

#16 LOUISVILLE (4-2, Big East 2-0)
Last Poll: 15

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
Sarasota Invitational
W, Cincinnati, 188-104
W, Kentucky, 168-132
—Since last poll—
L, #13 Indiana, 160-140

Louisville gave visiting Indiana nearly all it could handle in a 160-140 home loss to the Hoosiers to close out the season. Freshman Kelsi Worrell took home the 100 and 200 free against Indiana, while Tanja Kylliainen topped the 200 fly and 400 IM for the Cardinals.

#17 WISCONSIN (7-7, Big Ten 4-3)
Last Poll: T19

Results
W, Michigan State, 209-91
L, Michigan, 157-143
W, Milwaukee, 175-118
W, Green Bay, 140-94
L, Minnesota, 183-112
L, Stanford, 159-130
L, California, 170-110
W, Northwestern, 173-121
Ohio State Invitational
L, USC, 144.5-109.5
W, Virginia Tech, 206-159
L, Virginia, 182-176
—Since last poll—
W, Illinois, 210-143
W, #25 Purdue, 200-153
L, #16 Minnesota, 210-143

Wisconsin went 2-1 in its Big Ten Duals in Madison, beating then-No. 25 Purdue and Illinois, while taking a loss against then-No. 16 Minnesota. Ivy Martin picked off the pool record in both the 50 and 100 free. On day one, Martin clocked a 22.32 to beat her facility standard in the 50, then took down a 15-year-old mark in the 100 free with a 49.75.

#T18 ARKANSAS (10-1, SEC 3-1)
Last Poll: 18

Results
1st, Razorback Relays
L, Georgia, 187-113
W, Southern Illinois, 244-56
W, Kentucky, 212-88
W, @Missouri, 197-103
Phill Hansel Invitational
W, #12 Penn State, 151.5-146.5
W, Missouri State, 250-50
W, South Carolina, 223-77
W, #21 Florida State, 167-133
W, Davidson, 194-96
W, Queens, 191-85
—Since last poll—
W, Kansas, 219-81

Arkansas ran its dual meet record to 10-1 with a triumph over Kansas in Lawrence. Lauren Jordan and Anna Mayfield each posted facility records during the win, with Jordan turning in a 9:57.31 in the 1000 free and Mayfield clocking a 4:52.57 in the 500 free. That's only the second time Arkansas has gone 10-1 in a season, matching the best record in team history from 2008-09.

#T18 NOTRE DAME (4-4, Big East 1-1)
Last Poll: T19

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
W, Michigan, 185-115
W, Northwestern, 205-95
L, #22 Indiana, 175-125
1st, Shamrock Invitational
—Since last poll—
W, Toledo, 176-123
Michigan First Chance Meet (diving)

Notre Dame closed out its regular season with a 176-123 win over Toledo to finish the year 4-4. Plenty of Fighting Irish earned multiple victories against Toledo in what proved to be a mismatch. Kelly Ryan broke the pool record in the 100 back with her medley relay leadoff time of 55.95 along with wins in the 50 free and 200 back.

#20 OHIO STATE (10-2, Big Ten 3-1)
Last Poll: 21

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
W, Wright State, 171-102
W, Toledo, 189-104
L, #25 Michigan, 163-137
W, Cincinnati, 171-115
—Since last poll—
W, Northwestern, 228-130
W, Nebraska, 224-134
W, Iowa, 225-135
Ohio State Winter Invitational

The Ohio State Buckeyes clinched a 3-0 record at the Northwestern Invitational, picking up wins against Northwestern, Nebraska and Iowa, to end the year 10-2 and 3-1 in Big Ten action. Overall, OSU took home 12 of 18 swimming events during the two-day competition. The team of Kelsey Moran, Angela Sever, Shannon Draves and Megan Detro downed a 16-year-old pool record with a 3:42.30 in the 400 medley relay.

#21 MICHIGAN (5-4, Big Ten 4-2)
Last Poll: T16

Results
W, Wisconsin, 157-143
L, Minnesota, 196-99
L, Indiana, 223-77
L, @Texas, 217-83
Purdue Invitational
Hawkeye Invitational
Mike Peppe Invitational, NTS
1st, Orange Bowl Classic
L, Notre Dame, 185-115
W, Northwestern, 192-108
W, #15 Ohio State, 163-137
W, Michigan State, 174-120
—Since last poll—
W, Toledo, 161-80
Michigan Open
Michigan First Chance Meet

Michigan celebrated Senior Day festivities with a 161-80 triumph over Toledo. Senior Deirdre Jones earned wins in the 50 free (23.26) and 100 free (51.03), while sophomore Michelle Stefandl claimed the 500 free (5:56.81) and 1000 free (10:07.33) against the Rockets.

#T22 HARVARD (9-0, Ivy 7-0)
Last Poll: NR

Results
W, Dartmouth, 196-99
W, Cornell, 186-109
W, Columbia, 187-113
6th, Georgia Fall Invitational
6th, Georgia Tech Invitational
W, Miami, 175-86
W, Brown, 208-92
W, Penn, 241-58
W, Vermont, 232-68
—Since last poll—
W, Yale, 209-89
W, Princeton, 199-99

Harvard earned its way into the top 25 with a stellar outing in the always emotional Harvard-Yale-Princeton tri-meet to close out the season 9-0 and 7-0 in conference competition. Stephanie Ferrell led the Crimson at the H-Y-P meet with a trio of victories. She won the 200 breast in 2:15.37, while also taking home the 200 IM (2:03.59) and 100 breast (1:02.56) in the two-day event. She broke her own school record in the 100 breast in the process.

#T22 FLORIDA STATE (13-1, ACC 5-0)
Last Poll: 21

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
W, South Carolina, 190-109
L, #18 Arkansas, 167-133
W, N.C. State, 155-143
W, Georgia Tech, 226-72
—Since last poll—
Idle

Florida State has been idle since the last poll, and is focused on the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships to take place this weekend in Greensboro, N.C.

#24 PENN STATE (6-2, Big Ten 1-0)
Last Poll: 24

Results
W, West Virginia, 146-97
W, Villanova, 177-116
W, Indiana, 207.5-144.5
L, Virginia, 210-141
5th, Georgia Invitational
Tennessee Diving Invitational
North Carolina Relay Duels
L, Arkansas, 151.5-146.5
W, Missouri State, 235-59
W, Navy, 185-107
—Since last poll—
W, Towson, 186-109
Ohio State Winter Invitational

Penn State pushed its record to 6-2 with a win against Towson to close out the regular season. The Nittany Lions definitely showcased their seniors in the meet against Towson on Senior Day, putting up a lineup that scored event wins by all five seniors. Freshman Katie Rowe also had a strong meet, taking home the 200 fly and 200 back.

#25 ARIZONA STATE (5-5, Pac 12 2-5)
Last Poll: 23

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
W, Utah, 154-121
W, BYU, 201-94
Bruin Diving Invitational
L, #8 Stanford, 125-110
L, #3 California, 177-121
—Since last poll—
W, Northern Arizona, 146-91
L, Arizona, 203-92

The Sun Devils completed the regular season with an in-state split. First, ASU downed Northern Arizona in what proved to be the seniors' final swim at home, before heading down to Tucson for the Wildcats' Senior Day.

Also received votes: Princeton, SMU, N.C. State, Purdue, Utah, Missouri
Dropped out: Purdue

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