Division I Meet of the Week: USC Hosts Minnesota in Non-Conference Showdown

The USC Trojans are a team trying to prove they belong with the top teams in the country. Minnesota is trying to do the same, making their non-conference showdown the NCAA Division I Meet of the Week.

The USC women are ranked No. 10 in the latest College Swimming & Diving Coaches association of America (CSCAA) poll. Minnesota is No. 24.

Both teams have a couple of stars, while the supporting cast is what makes both teams dangerous at the end of the season. That will make Friday’s meet extremely interesting.

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Louise Hansson continues to dominate in the butterfly events. The multi-NCAA champion is currently third in the 100 butterfly (50.05) and is poised for another strong performance at the end of the season. She won both butterfly titles last season and is a 12-time All-American.

She set the NCAA record (49.34) in the 100 fly last year.

Hansson also has the seventh-fastest 200 free time (1:44.25) and has competed in a few other events as well.

But USC also has a pretty strong and quickly developing supporting cast.

Laticia Transom (100 and 200 free) and Marta Ciesla (50 and 100 free) are sprinters capable of becoming NCAA All-Americans. Tatum Wade has been strong in the IM and, along with Jemma Schlicht, has become a key relay swimmer for the Trojans, who look poised to score big points in several relays at the NCAA championships.

Minnesota is led by Lindsey Kozelsky, who has the third-fastest time in the NCAA in the 100 breaststroke (58.66) and ranks 16^th in the 200 breast (2:09.46), tied with USC’s Isabelle Odgers.

Tevyn Waddell, who is one of the top backstrokers in the NCAA, especially in the 200 back (1:53.28).

On the men’s side, USC is ranked No. 20, while Minnesota is an honorable mention in the Division I Meet of the Week.

Minnesota’s Max McHugh has the top time in the NCAA so far this season in the 100 breaststroke (50.74) and is second in the 200 breast (1:51.62).

The USC men are led by Victor Johansson, who has the sixth-fastest mile of the season at 14:47.27.

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