Florida Unanimously Atop CSCAA’s First NCAA Men’s Division I Rankings

PHOENIX, Arizona, October 23. THE College Swim Coaches Association of America has released its first NCAA Men's Division I rankings, with the Florida Gators earning a unanimous nod atop the rankings.

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. This also means that teams that have not competed up to this point in the season were not eligible to be part of the voting.

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. Florida (0-0, SEC 0-0)
Gregg Troy's Gators dominated the All Florida Invitational to open the season, and have shown the top-end speed and depth to take on all comers. The Gators have been led by senior Sebastien Rousseau, junior Marcin Cieslak and sophomore Eduardo Solaeche-Gomez in the early season.

Rousseau has the top time in the nation in both the 200 fly (1:46.41) and 400 IM (3:51.15) along with the second-ranked time in the 500 free (4:25.47). He also has top 10 times in the 200 IM (1:50.37) and 200 back (1:47.43). Cieslak is second in the 200 IM (1:48.26) and third in both the 100 fly (48.16) and 200 fly (1:47.20), while Solaeche-Gomez leads the country in the 200 IM (1:48.08) and is second in the 400 IM (3;53.38) and in the top 15 in the 1650 free (15:47.27) and 200 breast (2:03.57).

Additionally, Florida have a plethora of other swimmers all in the top 15 in the early rankings with freshman Adam Bull, sophomore Nicholas Caldwell, junior Bradley Deborde, sophomore Matt Elliott, freshman Arthur Frayler, sophomore Christian-Paul Homer, senior Cameron Martin, sophomore Ricky Much, sophomore Carlos Omana, junior Connor Signorin, sophomore William Silva, senior Jason Taylor, sophomore Thomas Veale and freshman Pawel Werner all capable of putting in strong work for the Gators in any type of competition.

In relays, Florida leads the nation in the 400 medley (3:17.23) and is second in both the 200 free (1:20.74) and 800 free (6:40.59). The Gator 400 free relay is third with a 2:59.84, while the 200 medley is seventh with a 1:30.17.

2. Michigan (2-0, Big Ten 2-0)
Mike Bottom's Wolverines opened the season 2-0 in conference action with a pair of home dual meet wins over Wisconsin (172.5-115.5) and Minnesota (170-124). Olympian Connor Jaeger and senior transfer Zack Turk are making immediate impacts this fall.

Jaeger leads the country in the 1000 free with a 9:08.33, while standing fifth in the 500 free with a 4:26.88. Turk, meanwhile, is fifth in the 50 free (20.14) and sixth in the 100 free (44.77). Freshman Dylan Bosch is second in the nation in the 200 fly (1:46.77) along with a ninth in the 100 fly (48.70), while sophomore Richard Funk is second in the 100 breast (54.93) and fifth in the 200 breast (2:01.92). Senior Miguel Ortiz has the second-best 100 back with a 48.45, while also rankings sixth in the 50 free (20.31).

Junior Hassaan Abdel Khalik, freshman Peter Brumm, senior Sean Fletcher, freshman Matt McNamara, sophomore Bruno Ortiz and junior Kyle Whitaker also give Michigan some serious firepower.

Meanwhile, Michigan leads the nation in the 200 medley (1:27.40) and is second in the 400 free (2:58.81) in relay action.

3. Stanford (0-0, Pac 12 0-0)
Ted Knapp's Cardinal kicked off the season with a dominant first-place outing at the Pacific Invitational in Stockton, Calif. Sophomore David Nolan and senior Aaron Wayne both own top times in the nation to pace Stanford. Nolan already has a 4:24.50 in the 500 free, while Wayne posted a 43.65 in the 100 free. Wayne also is third in both the 200 free (1:38.13) and 50 free (20.04).

Senior Matt Thompson is another weapon for Stanford with the second best 200 back in the country with a 1:46.03, while also having the 16th-ranked time of 1:51.71 in the 200 IM. Freshman Sean Duggan, junior Will Gunderson, sophomore Robert Hommel, sophomore Jack Lane, senior Mack Montgomery, junior Bryan Offutt, senior Andrew Saeta, junior Mason Shaw, senior Matthew Swanston, freshman Danny Thomson and freshman Gray Umbach also each have top 15 ranked times demonstrating the team's strength and depth.

Stanford leads the way in the 800 free with a 6:33.54, while having a 12th-ranked 200 free relay of 1:23.10.

4. Southern California (1-0, Pac 12 0-0)
Dave Salo's Trojans knocked off #14 N.C. State, 173-119, at home to start the season off in a big way. Salo has some studs on his squad with freshman Morten Klarskov and senior Alex Lendrum leading the nation in events. Klarskov is the top 200 breaststroke with a 1:59.01, and is eighth in the 100 with a 55.66. Lendrum tops the 200 back with a 1:45.44, and is fourth in the 100 with a 48.57.

Additionally, sophomore Cristian Quintero had a strong opener against the Wolfpack en route to a second-ranked 1:37.52 in the 200 free and a fifth-ranked 44.66 in the 100 free. Junior Chase Bloch is second in the 100 fly (47.88) and third in the 200 back (1:46.04).

Senior Justin DiFederico, sophomore Dakota Hodgson, junior Nicholaus Johnson, junior Sean Mulroy, freshman Ted Singley, sophomore Luca Spinazzola and sophomore Cary Wright also are versatile threats, all with ranked times to start the year.

USC also has the second-ranked 200 medley relay with a 1:28.98 and is fifth in the 200 free with a 1:21.78.

5. Texas (0-0, Big 12 0-0)
Eddie Reese's Longhorns swamped the Southwest Collegiate Plunge to begin the season in a strong way. Sophomore Clay Youngquist, the reigning CollegeSwimming.com National Men's Swimmer of the Week, led the way for UT with a top-ranked 200 free time of 1:36.20 and a third-ranked 500 free (4:25.50).

Seniors Nick D'Innocenzo and Dax Hill also have ranked times with D'Innocenzo charting a sixth-ranked 2:01.99, while Hill posted a seventh-ranked 44.84 in the 100 free. Freshman Sam Lewis even got into the action with a 16th-ranked 500 free of 4:31.31.

Texas also has three strong relays in the early going with third in the 400 medley (3:19.99), fifth in the 400 free (3:01.11) and seventh in the 200 free (1:22.08).

6. Auburn (2-0, SEC 2-0)
Brett Hawke's Tigers are already 2-0 in conference action to start the season. Auburn beat in-state rival Alabama, 175-68, to kick off the season, then thumped #22 LSU, 213-87, in its second competition.

Senior Kyle Owens and junior Zane Grothe are the early team leaders for Auburn. Owens has a top-ranked 48.01 in the 100 back, third in the 200 IM (1:49.42) and ninth in the 200 back (1:47.57). Grothe, meanwhile, is tops in the 1650 free (15:27.55), ninth in the 500 free (4:30.08) and 12th in the 1000 free (9:24.06). Junior Marcelo Chierighini is another dangerous cog in the Auburn machine, ranked second in the 100 free (43.77) and third in the 50 free.

Junior James Disney-May, senior Stuart Ferguson, sophomore Alexander Hancock and senior Chris Kramer are also top-flight swimmers ranked in the early season top times.

In relay action, Auburn is third in both the 200 free (1:20.84) and 200 medley (1:29.41) and is fourth in the 400 free (3:00.17).

7. California (1-0, Pac 12 0-0)
Dave Durden's defending champion Golden Bears opened the season with a 141-107 triumph over Pacific in Berkeley. California is currently a man down as senior Tom Shields is swimming on the FINA World Cup tour during the fall instead of competing with the team. He will be back for the championship season in the spring.

Freshman Josh Prenot has made an immediate impact, ranking second in the 200 breast (2:00.08) and fifth in the 400 IM (3:56.61). Sophomore Will Hamilton, senior Trevor Hoyt, freshman Jacob Pebley and junior Marcin Tarczynski also have ranked times.

California owns the top time in the nation in the 400 free relay with a 2:43.32, while also standing 15th with a 1:31.53 in the 200 medley relay. There is no doubt that the Golden Bears should move up in the rankings once Shields rejoins the fray. Voters, however, only vote on the team as it is currently constituted.

8. Indiana (2-0, Big Ten 0-0)
Ray Looze's resurgent Hoosiers began the season with a road sweep of Kentucky, 196-104, and #24 Tennessee, 183-117, in a tri-meet hosted by the Wildcats in Kentucky.

Having NCAA runner-up Eric Ress back in action after missing time due to injury and an attempt to make the French Olympic team definitely is a soothing balm for the Hoosiers. Ress ranks fourth in the nation with a 1:46.25 in the 200 back. Junior Cody Miller, meanwhile, has a trio of ranked times in the 200 breast (2:02.51), 100 breast (55.82) and 200 IM (1:50.72).

Senior Ryan Hinshaw, sophomore Steve Schmuhl and junior James Wells are also ranked swimmers with Wells third in the 100 back (48.55), Schmuhl fifth in the 200 back (1:46.70) and Hinshaw 13th in the 1000 free (9:25.33).

IU also has a pair of ranked relays with eighth in the 200 medley (1:30.43) and 15th in the 400 free (3:02.67). Not to mention a strong diving group.

t9. North Carolina (2-0, ACC 0-0)
Rich DeSelm's Tar Heels jumped off the season with a pair of wins against Southeastern Conference foes. The Tar Heels topped #12 South Carolina (168-132) and #21 Texas A&M (178.5-121.5) in a meet hosted by South Carolina.

Senior Brett Nagle is the team leader with a second-ranked 9:14.82 in the 1000 free, while freshman Mitch Deforest, freshman Nic Graesser, freshman Matt Kwatyra, sophomore Patrick Myers, sophomore David Speese and junior JT Stilley also provide some top-flight threats in dual meet competition.

The Tar Heels also have the seventh-ranked 400 free relay in the country with a 3:02.04.

t9. Georgia (1-0, SEC 0-0)
Jack Bauerle's Bulldogs started the season with a road conquest of in-state foe Georgia Tech. Sophomore Nicolas Fink is ranked third in the nation in the 100 breast (55.22), while junior William Freeman and freshman Tynan Stewart also have ranked times in the early season. The Bulldogs also rank 11th in the nation in the 400 free relay (3:02.27).

11. Arizona (1-0, Pac 12 0-0)
Eric Hansen's Wildcats topped Hawaii in Tucson to start the season. American record holder Kevin Cordes jumped right into action after a strong long course summer. He posted a sixth-ranked 55.37 in the 100 breast and 10th-ranked 2:02.63 in the 200 breast. Junior Mitchell Friedemann also ranked fifth in the 100 back with a 48.92, while the Wildcats have a trio of strong relays with a second-ranked 400 medley (3:19.45), fifth-ranked 200 medley (1:29.93) and ninth-ranked 200 free (1:22.55).

12. South Carolina (1-1, SEC 1-0)
McGee Moody's Gamecocks are the highest ranked team with a loss, having started off with a 168-132 loss to #9 North Carolina at home. South Carolina did, however, clip #21 Texas A&M 160-140 in that same tri-meet.

Junior Michael Flach leads the team with a trio of ranked times. He's sixth in the 200 free (1:38.56), ninth in the 200 fly (1:48.69) and 12th in the 200 IM (1:50.95). Freshman Marwan El Kamash, junior Matt Navata and junior Gerard Rodriguez also have put up ranked times. The Gamecocks also own the eighth-ranked 400 free relay in the nation with a 3:02.05.

13. Minnesota (0-1, Big Ten 0-1)
Kelly Kremer's Golden Gophers helped #2 Michigan begin the season, losing to the Wolverines 170-124 as part of a two-day Michigan Water Carnival. The Gophers have a pair of third-ranked swimmers on the squad with senior Jared Anderson in the 100 breast (55.22) and sophomore CJ Smith in the 1000 free (9:16.76). Senior Josh Hall, junior Derek Toomey and junior Kyler Van Swol also are ranked in the top times. Minnesota's 200 medley relay time of 1:23.77 is ranked 11th in the country. The Gophers also sport a strong diving group to pull in those valuable points.

14. NC State (0-1, ACC 0-0)
Braden Holloway's Wolfpack fell to #4 USC, 173-119, to start the season in Los Angeles. The Wolfpack, however, showed some strength in the loss, especially with junior Barrett Miesfeld putting up a top-ranked 47.85 in the 100 fly. Junior Jonathan Boffa, sophomore Mike Camper, senior Ivan Kopas, freshman Christian McCurdy and junior Brian Via also have ranked times, while the Wolfpack is deep in relays with four ranked times. The squad is fourth in the 200 free (1:21.39), 200 medley (1:29.71) and 400 medley (3:21.01) and 12th in the 400 free (3:02.34).

15. Florida State (1-0, ACC 0-0)
Neil Harper's Seminoles kicked off the season with a 208-80 thumping of in-state rival Florida Atlantic in a meet held in Miami. Senior Mark Weber paces the nation in the 50 free with a swift 20.03, while senior Tyler Ball, junior Jack Deedrick, sophomore Connor Knight, junior Paul Murray, freshman Derek Pridemore and junior Michael Thomas have also put up ranked times. Where the Seminoles are truly strong are in relays with four ranked times including the top-ranked 200 free relay with a 1:20.09. FSU is fourth in the 800 free (6:57.50), eighth in the 400 medley (3:24.44) and 16th in the 200 medley (1:31.87).

16. Louisville (1-0, Big East 0-0)
Arthur Albiero's Cardinals squashed Xavier 182-75 in their home opener. Junior Joao De Lucca is the unquestioned top swimmer on the team with a third-ranked 44.04 in the 100 free and a ninth-ranked 1:38.76 in the 200 free. Freshman Bryan Draganosky is ranked eighth with a 9:21.14 in the 1000 free.

17. Penn State (1-0, Big Ten 0-0)
John Hargis' Nittany Lions stared the season with a 174-69 road smashing of West Virginia in Morgantown. Junior Matt Salig and sophomore Nate Savoy are among the best in the country as each has a 16th-ranked time. Salig has a 1:49.85 in the 200 fly, while Savoy posted a 4:02.66 in the 400 IM. Penn State's 200 medley relay time of 1:30.89 is also ranked 12th.

18. Purdue (0-0, Big Ten 0-0)
Dan Ross' Boilermakers opened the season with a victory at the Indiana Intercollegiates. Junior Danny Tucker leads the way with a ninth-ranked 50 free (20.37) and 15th-ranked 100 free (45.06), while senior Chuck Destro has a 10th-ranked 50 free time of 20.38. Also, with Adam Soldati at the helm of the diving team, Purdue is always in the mix.

19. Iowa (1-0, Big Ten 1-0)
Marc Long's Hawkeyes bested Big Ten rival Michigan State, 185-108, in a dual meet in East Lansing, Mich. Sophomore Grant Betulius turned in an eighth-ranked 49.30 in the 100 back, while freshman Roman Trussov posted a ninth-ranked 55.73 in the 100 breast. Junior Tyler Lentz, junior Dustin Rhoads and sophomore Korey Schneider also have posted nationally-ranked times. Iowa's 200 medley relay time of 1:30.02 is ranked sixth in the country.

20. Alabama (1-1, SEC 0-1)
Dennis Pursley's Crimson Tide opened his first year at the helm with a win against Delta State, 192-98, and a loss against #6 Auburn, 175-68. Freshman Brian Westlake has had a quick impact on the Tide, ranking fourth in the 1000 free (9:18.97) and 1650 free (15:40.61). Senior John Elis and freshman Brett Walsh also have ranked times for Bama.

21. Texas A&M (0-2, SEC 0-1)
The only two-loss team in the rankings, Jay Holmes' Aggies started the season with losses to #9 North Carolina (178.5-121.5) and #12 South Carolina (160-140). Senior John Dalton, junior Omar Enriquez and junior Kyle Troskot all have nationally-ranked times, while the Aggies are ranked in three relays. The squad is eighth in the 200 free relay (1:22.49), 10th in the 400 medley relay (3:24.95) and 15th in the 400 free relay (3:02.67).

22. LSU (1-1, SEC 0-1)
Dave Geyer's Tigers topped Centenary 64-38 to begin the season before falling to #6 Auburn 213-87. Junior Ricardo Alvarado Jimenez, senior Craig Hamilton and freshman Gabriel Rooker are all nationally-ranked swimmers, while the Tigers are ranked 10th in the 200 medley relay (1:30.78) and 13th in the 200 free relay (1:23.29).

23. Missouri State (0-1, MAC 0-0)
Dave Collins' Bears have had a busy season opening. The team took second in the Show-Me Showdown, before falling to Missouri 131-107 on the road. Sophomore Paul Le is a top-level threat for Missouri State, ranking sixth in the 100 back (49.21) and 13th in the 200 back (1:48.11). Sophomore Vitalii Baryshok ranked 15th in the 200 free (1:39.24). The team also is ranked in four relays. The Bears are 10th in the 400 free (3:02.19), 11th in the 400 medley (3:26.03), 14th in the 200 medley (1:31.50) and 16th in the 200 free (1:23.94).

24. Tennessee (2-1, SEC 1-0)
Matt Kredich started off his time as a head coach of the merged Volunteer program with a 2-1 record as the Vols beat UNC-Wilmington, 175-118, and Kentucky, 194-106. Tennessee did, however lose to #8 Indiana, 183-117. Tennessee has a pair of nationally-ranked relays with sixth in the 400 free (3:01.29) and 13th in the 200 medley (1:30.94).

25. Wisconsin (3-1, Big Ten 1-1)
One of the busier teams in the early part of the season, Whitney Hite's Badgers have compiled a 3-1 record. The team has beaten Michigan State, 185-109, Milwaukee, 176-120, and Green Bay, 142-93. Meanwhile, the squad took a 172.5-115.5 loss against #2 Michigan in Ann Arbor. Senior Dan Lester, sophomore Drew Teduits and senior Michael Weiss have each posted ranked times, while the team is sixth in the 400 medley relay with a 3:23.64.

Also Receiving Votes: Georgia Tech, SMU, Virginia Tech, Missouri, Duke, William & Mary, UC Santa Barbara, Michigan State, Northwestern

Also Receiving Votes Notables:
William and Mary junior Andrew Strait is the top-ranked 100 breaststroker in the nation with a sizzling 54.85, while Duke senior Ben Hwang is tied with Florida State's Mark Weber for the lead in the 50 free with a 20.03.

CSCAA Men's Division 1 Team Ranking Committee
Chair: Bill Roberts, United States Naval Academy; Steve Fletcher, Rider University; James Holder, Georgetown University; Braden Holloway, North Carolina State University; Jason Marsteller, Swimming World Magazine; McGee Moody, University of South Carolina; Vic Riggs, West Virginia University; Dan Ross, Purdue University; Brian Schrader, Denver University; Dorsey Tierney-Walker, Arizona State University

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