Georgia Women Take Top Spot in College Swim Coaches Poll

Above photo by Peter H. Bick

PHOENIX – The University of Georgia took the top spot of the College Swimming Coaches Association of America’s poll of the top 25 Division I swimming and diving teams, moving last week’s leader Southern California down four spots. The Texas Longhorns started their season strong and nearly toppled the Bulldogs in the second poll of the season.

The goal of the CSCAA rankings committee is 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 versus unrested, when considering votes. Further, rankings are only based on performances that have taken place up to that point in the season, with an emphasis on action from the previous poll.

Swimming World has been invited as a media member to participate in the polling process, and has a vote in each poll. Jeff Commings serves as Swimming World’s representative on these weekly conference calls.

1. Georgia (5-0, 3-0 SEC)
Last poll rank: 1

Results
W vs. Vanderbilt (9/24), 153-94
W vs. Alabama (10/10), 164-130
W at North Carolina (10/17), 164-136
W at NC State (10/18), 183.5-114.5
W vs. Florida (10/31), 176-119

Next competition: Friday vs. SCAD at Georgia Tech

Georgia earned the top spot with a very decisive victory over conference rival Florida last weekend. The Lady Bulldogs boasted three double winners at the meet; Amber McDermott, Annie Zhu and Kylie Stewart.

2. Texas (5-0, 0-0 Big 12)
Last poll rank: Not ranked

Results
W at Michigan (10/24), 199-154
W vs. Indiana (at Michigan) (10/24), 204.5-148.5
W vs. Louisville (at Michigan) (10/24), 243.5-109.5
W vs. Stanford (10/30), 156-144
W vs. California (10/31), 161-139

Next competition: Friday vs. Texas A&M

The Longhorns came out swinging this season with five dual-meet victories, including two over Stanford and Cal to give them one of the strongest starts to a season head coach Carol Capitani has had.

3. Stanford (1-1, 1-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 13

Results
W at Utah (9/26), 174-124
L vs. Texas (10/30), 156-144

Next competition: Saturday vs. Wisconsin

Despite losing to Texas at home, Stanford put up some very impressive times that gave the Cardinal a big move up in the rankings.

4. California (0-1, 0-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 4

Results
Pinch-A-Penny Invitational (10/3-5), second place
L vs. Texas (10/31), 161-139

Next competition: Friday vs. Wisconsin

California holds their position in the rankings after losing to Texas, thanks to strong efforts by Missy Franklin and Elizabeth Pelton, who each won multiple events.

5. Southern California (2-0, 2-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 1

Results
W at Washington State (10/9), 150-106
W at Oregon State (10/18), 153-107
SMU Classic (10/17-18), 4th place

Next competition: November 14 vs. Arizona State

The Trojans participated in the Peter Daland Memorial Invite against several local swim teams in exhibition races, which didn’t help their chances of staying at the top of the rankings.

6. Michigan (4-1, 3-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 16

Results
W at Iowa (10/4), 188.5-105.5
W vs. Nebraska (at Iowa) (10/4), 182-112
L vs. Texas (10/24-25), 199-154
W vs. Indiana (10/24-25), 179-174
W vs. Louisville (10/24-25), 232.5-120.5

Next competition: Friday vs. Virginia at Penn State

Michigan pulled off a squeaker in their victory against Indiana two weeks ago, but had to settle for a loss to a very strong Texas team. The Wolverines jumped 10 spots in the pool after their valiant efforts at home.

7. Auburn (5-0, 3-0 SEC)
Last poll rank: 8

Results
W at Indiana (10/10), 129-113
W vs. Notre Dame (10/18), 192-102
W vs. Vanderbilt (10/18), 201-75
W at Alabama (11/1), 174-126
W vs. LSU (at Alabama) (11/1), 176-124

Next competition: Nov. 14 vs. Louisville at Tennessee

Auburn made short work of two conference foes to move up a spot in the poll.

8. Indiana (1-3, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 20

Results
L vs. Auburn (10/10), 126-113
L vs Michigan (10/24-25), 179-174
L vs. Texas (at Michigan) (10/24-25), 204.5-148.5
W vs. Louisville (at Michigan) (10/24-25), 210-143

Next competition: December 4-6 at USA Swimming nationals

After a very tough quad meet that saw the Hoosiers losing handily to Texas and just missing out on the win over Michigan, Ray Looze’s squad takes off November from competition to prepare for the USA Swimming nationals.

9. Texas A&M (3-0, 1-0 SEC)
Last poll rank: 7

Results
W at Arkansas (10/18), 170-120
W at North Texas (10/31), 140-86
W vs. Houston (at North Texas), (10/31), 140-95

Next competition: Friday vs. Texas

Competing against two lesser-quality teams added some wins to A&M’s tally but almost knocked them out of the top 10.

10. Minnesota (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 6

Results
W at Arizona State (10/4), 191-101
W vs. Wisconsin (10/17), 203-95
W vs. North Dakota (10/24), 215-81
W vs. Iowa (10/31), 195-105

Next competition: Saturday at Florida

Minnesota was strong against North Dakota and Iowa, but big moves by stronger teams in the past two weeks bumped the Golden Gophers down to tenth place.

11. Florida (3-01 3-1 SEC)
Last poll rank: 3

Results
W vs. Arkansas (9/27), 189.5-110.5
Pinch-A-Penny Invitational (10/3-5), first place
W vs. LSU (10/10), 166-134
W at Kentucky (10/16), 161-137
L vs. Georgia (10/31), 176-119

Next competition: Saturday vs Minnesota

A tough loss at home against the reigning national champions took the Gators out of the top 10.

12. North Carolina (2-1, 1-0 ACC)
Last poll rank: 5

Results
W vs. Tennessee (10/10), 204-96
L vs. Georgia (10/17), 164-136
W vs. Virginia Tech (10/25), 186-108

Next competition: Friday and Saturday at Louisville

North Carolina got squeezed out of the top 10 as some of the country’s stronger teams put up faster swims in dual meet action recently.

13. Arizona (4-0, 2-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 10

Results
W vs. Wisconsin (10/4), 180-101
W at Washington State (10/17), 172-89
W at UNLV (11/1), 232.5-66.5
W vs. Utah (at UNLV) (11/1), 210-90

Next competition: Nov. 14 at UCLA

Arizona continues to race well, but with a goal towards tapering for the Texas Invitational, the Wildcats often find themselves just outside the top 10 at this point in the season.

14. Tennessee (3-2, 1-1 SEC)
Last poll rank: 12

Results
W at UNC-Wilmington (9/26), 166-120
W at Queens (10/9), 157-45
L at North Carolina (10/10), 204-96
W vs. Kentucky (10/31), 191-109
L vs. Indiana (10/31), 169-129

Next competition: Nov. 14 vs. Louisville and Auburn

Tennessee keeps a place in the top 15 despite a heavy loss to Indiana. Beating conference rival Kentucky by nearly 100 points helped their placing as well.

15. Ohio State (6-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: Not ranked

Results
Dennis Stark Relays (10/10), first place
W at Miami (10/23), 172-115
W vs. Cincinnati (10/24), 238-60
W vs. Purdue (10/24), 165-134
W at Ohio (10/25), 222-95
W vs Cleveland State (10/30), 167-61
W vs Kenyon (10/31), 191-86

Next competition: Friday and Saturday vs. Denison and Princeton

The Buckeyes roar into the top 25 with five wins over two weekends.

16. Southern Methodist (2-0, 1-0 American)
Last poll rank: 11

Results
UNT Relays (9/26), third place
SMU Classic (10/17-18), third place
W vs. Rice (10/31), 142-89
W vs. Houston (11/1), 155-88

Next competition: November 20-22 at Texas A&M Invite

After a strong start at the SMU Classic, the Mustangs took on two mid-level schools and did not put up times that convinced the voting panel to keep them in the top 15.

17. Louisiana State (2-2, 1-2 SEC)
Last poll rank: 15

Results
W vs. Tulane (10/3), 220-80
L at Florida (10/10), 166-134
SMU Classic (10/17-18), sixth place
W vs Alabama (11/1), 155-145
L vs. Auburn (at Alabama) (11/1), 176-124

Diver Alex Bettridge was a big help in LSU’s victory over Alabama, but her points couldn’t overcome Auburn’s relay strengths.

18. Louisville (2-3, 0-0 ACC)
Last poll rank: 9

Results
W vs. Xavier (10/10), 204-56
SMU Classic (10/17-18), second place
L vs. Michigan (10/24-25), 232.5-120.5
L vs. Texas (at Michigan) (10/24-25), 243.5-109.5
L vs. Indiana (at Michigan) (10/24-25), 210-143
W vs. Cincinnati (11/1), 204-94

Next competition: Friday vs. North Carolina

Losing the quad meet in Ann Arbor put a big sting in the Cardinals, who could bounce back against North Carolina.

19. Wisconsin (1-2, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 16

Results
W at Arizona State (10/3), 142-94
L at Arizona (10/4), 196-104
L at Minnesota (10/10), 203-95

Next competition: November 7 at California

Being idle the past two weeks almost cost the Badgers a spot in the top 20. Two meets against Cal and Stanford will test the Badgers – and their place in the top 25.

20. Penn State (6-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 14

Results
W vs. Georgia Tech (10/3), 170-119
W at Virginia Tech (10/18), 197-156
W vs. Old Dominion (at Virginia Tech) (10/18), 285-68
W vs. Liberty (at Virginia Tech) (10/18), 270-74
W vs. James Madison (at Virginia Tech) (10/18), 274-79
W vs. Villanova (10/31), 156-101

Next competition: Friday vs. Virginia and Michigan

Penn State continues to swim well, but will need to face stronger opponents to have a chance to regain their top-15 placing. This weekend’s meet could help the Nittany Lions.

21. UCLA (3-0, 1-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 18

Results
W vs. Washington State (10/10), 143-104
W vs. UC-Santa Barbara (10/25), 162-96
W vs. Brigham Young (at Santa Barbara) (10/25), 171-87

Next competition: November 14 vs. Arizona

UCLA had some fine swims in the tri-meet against Santa Barbara and Brigham Young. The Bruins always put up a good fight against Arizona, and that meet could put them back in the top 20.

22. N.C. State (2-1, 2-0 ACC)
Last poll rank: 19

Results
All-North Carolina Invite (10/3-4), first place
SMU Classic (10/17-18), fifth place
L vs. Georgia (10/18), 183.5-114.5
W at Georgia Tech (10/25), 189-106
W vs. Florida State (at Georgia Tech) (10/25), 173-115

Next competition: November 20-22 at Nike Cup

Despite falling a few spots, the Wolfpack continues to show off their depth, which goes a long way in winning dual meets.

23. Alabama (1-1, 0-1 SEC)
Last poll rank: 21

Results
W vs. Delta State (9/12), 216-79
L at Georgia (10/10), 164-130
L vs Auburn (11/1), 174-126
L vs. LSU (11/1), 155-145

Despite losing to two big conference foes, Alabama pretty much stays steady in the poll due to strong performances against Auburn and LSU.

24. Purdue (3-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 24

Results
W vs. Miami (Ohio) (10/17), 199-94
Indiana Intercollegiates (10/18), first place
W at Ohio State (10/24), 165-134
W vs. Cincinnati (at Ohio State) (10/24), 246-53

Next competition: November 21-23 at Ohio State Invitational

Mary Beth Dunnichay’s dominance on the springboards continues to help the Purdue women’s team hold firm in the rankings.

25. Boise State (2-0, 0-0 Mountain West)
Last poll rank: 23

Results
W vs. Utah (10/8), 156.5-143.5
W at Idaho (10/11), 211-89
W at Oregon State (10/31), 178-84

Next competition: November 20-22 at Texas A&M Invitational

Boise State continues to be a strong dual meet performer with another decisive win over Oregon State.

Check out other CSCAA Swimming and Diving rankings
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