Early Season Analysis of American Athletic Conference Swimming

Photo Courtesy: Azaria Basile

By Emma Gresser, Swimming World College Intern

CINCINNATI – Out with the old and in with the new for the 2014-15 American Athletic Conference (AAC) swim season. East Carolina and Tulane were added this season to the women’s squads of Cincinnati, Houston, Southern Methodist, and Connecticut. The men also added East Carolina to Cincinnati, SMU, and UConn to make up the rest of the men’s squads. The AAC lost 2013-14 conference champions Louisville to the Atlantic Coast Conference and also lost Rutgers to the Big Ten. Most programs dove into the start of season competition during late September and early October.

CINCINNATI

The Bearcats submerged into the season with new authority. Former UC assistant, Mandy Commons-DiSalle, was named head coach for the 2014-2015 season.

“I am really focused on the current team and establishing a new direction with them. We have a lot of talented athletes on the team now and I am excited to continue to work with them as I build the program,” Commons-DiSalle said.

Also added to the coaching staff is California native, Jaclyn Rosen, as a new assistant coach. Cincinnati took on cross-town rival Xavier to show who owned the city of Cincinnati after a win on the men and women’s side. Standout individual performances include UC’s freshman standout Ryan DePietro who recorded a 1:54.05 victory in the 200 butterfly to help the Bearcats sweep Xavier. Last season’s NCAA qualifier, Jackie Kiere also had dominating performances in the 200 freestyle, clocking in 1:52.30 and in the 100 freestyle touching at 51.74.

CONNECTICUT

The UConn Huskies made new coaching moves as well. Maiya Otsuka has been added as an intern assistant coach, while T.J. Natal has been promoted to a full-time assistant coach. Connecticut’s women’s swim team hosted Central Connecticut, Yale, and Rhode Island in a non-scoring on Oct. 18. Both Husky squads took on Villanova on Oct. 24 and Fordham on Oct. 25 bringing home a pair of wins for both men and women. UConn prominent swimmers Jeff Magin and Chinyere Pigot have been named American Athletic Conference Swimmers of the Week on Oct. 28. Pigot posted a 51.89 in a victorious 100 freestyle and a winning time of 24.10 in the 50 freestyle. Magin totaled 8 wins between both meets. Notably, he was 51.99 in the 100 backstroke and 1:53.91 in the 200 backstroke against the Wildcats.

EAST CAROLINA

AAC newcomer, East Carolina, took on the All-North Carolina Invitational on Oct. 3 and 4. The women placed 2 out of 14 teams while the men also finished in 2 out of 11 teams. The Pirates saw three victories. Junior Bailie Monahan swam to a 2:06.41 in the 200IM and finished at 2:01.40 in the 200 butterfly. Senior Rokas Cepulis won the men’s 200 breaststroke in a 2:02.51. The dual meet program started with a pair of wins on the men and women’s side after facing Davidson and the College of Charleston. Senior Nikola Simic won AAC Male Swimmer of the Week for the week of Oct. 21. Simic posted a duo of first place finishes in the 50 freestyle touching at 21.05 and the 100 freestyle clocking in at 45.45 against the College of Charleston.

HOUSTON

The University of Houston kicked off its season on Oct. 11 falling short to The University of Incarnate Word 124-117. Standout junior, Mackenzie Alspaugh, took home two victories in the 500 freestyle with a 5:11.26 and the 400 IM posting a 4:39.12. The Cougars continued their dual meet program on Oct. 16 with a home meet against Rice University coming short to a win with a score of 176-117. The Cougars were victorious in 3 events. Outstanding performances include junior Dora Bednjanec in the 100 backstroke clocking in at a 58.38, followed by sophomore Michaela Hamrick in the 200 freestyle finishing at a 1:54.34 and freshman Ashley Grijalva winning the 200 breaststroke in 2:22.48.

SOUTHERN METHODIST

Also in Texas, Southern Methodist University women’s program kicked off their 21st SMU Classic on Oct. 17. After the two-day meet, the Mustangs came in 3 out of 6 teams. Standout performances include the breaststroke sweep of Rachel Nicol in the 100 breaststroke with a meet record breaking time of 1:00.18 and the 200 breaststroke posting a winning time of 2:10.11. Teammate Tara-Lynn Nicholas also posted a duo of consolation final wins in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:01.46 and the 200 breaststroke touching at 2:13.40. The SMU men did not compete in October.

TULANE

The Tulane Green Wave, also AAC newcomer, led off its season on Sept. 26 with partaking in the North Texas Relays meet and also competing against its new AAC competition, the SMU Mustangs. They followed up the next day by heading to TCU coming up short, 179-121. The only victories came from sophomore duo Joy Jason and Mia Schachter. Jason clocked in at 1:05.41 in the 100 breaststroke and Schachter posted a 52.97 in the 100 freestyle. Their dual meet battle continued with SEC foe, LSU, where they took a loss, 220-80. Standout Schachter took home a pair of wins in the 100 freestyle with a 52.08 and the 100 breaststroke clocking in at 1:02.68.

Emma Gresser is a sophomore IM/butterflier at the University of Cincinnati. Previously, she trained with the Firestone Akron Swim Team from 2002-14.

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oconnors13f@yahoo.com

9 years ago

Very informative can’t wait to read updates as the season progresses.

Betsy Hart

9 years ago

Nice informative article. Will be reading more to see how the season progresses.

Darlene mulheim

9 years ago

Will continue to watch to see how ACC progresses this season