Michigan Closes Out First Half of Season With Top Spot in CSCAA Men’s Division I Poll

PHOENIX, Arizona, DECEMBER 12. ONCE again, the men’s swimming and diving team at the University of Michigan take the top position in the new poll of Division I swimming and diving men’s teams from the College Swim Coaches Association of America. Three teams behind them fought hard for the next three spots, while several teams moved up after a strong week to close out collegiate competition in 2013.

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. Michigan (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 1

Results
W vs. Iowa (9/27), 182-110
W at Dennis Stark Relays, (10/11), First out of five teams
W at Notre Dame and Auburn (10/12); 195-103 vs. Auburn, 201-99 vs. Notre Dame
W at Indiana (10/25), 203-97
W vs. Texas (at Indiana) (10/25), 166-134

Since last poll:
Michigan Open (11/22-24)
USA Swimming natioinals (12/5-7)

Next competition: January 3 at Orange Bowl Classic

The Wolverines swam through the Michigan Open, saving their best swims of the fall for the USA Swimming nationals. Dylan Bosch’s lifetime best 1:41.01 in the 200 fly, as well as wins from Connor Jaeger in the distance freestyle highlighted the squad’s impressive outing in Tennessee.

2. Texas (5-1 1-0 Big 12)
Last poll rank: 4

Results
W vs. North Carolina (10/17), 171.5-126.5
W at Indiana (10/25), 204-96
L vs. Michigan (at Indiana) (10/25), 166-134
W vs. Virginia (11/8-9), 225-128
W vs. Penn State (at Virginia), 185-168
W vs. West Virginia (at Virginia), 259-93

Since last poll:
Texas Invitational (12/5-7)

Next competition: January 9 vs. Auburn

Freshman Jack Conger posted a few NCAA automatic qualifying times to give the Longhorns a boost, as did middle distance freestyler Clay Youngquist, at the Texas Invite.

3 (tie). Florida (4-0, 3-0 SEC)
Last poll rank: 2

Results
W at All-Florida Invitational (9/27) (First place)
W at Minnesota (10/12), 172-124
W at Missouri (10/17), 169-130
W vs. Georgia (11-1), 179-119
W vs. Alabama (11/7), 169-123

Since last poll:
Buckeye Invitational (11/22-24)

Next competition: January 4 vs. Florida State

Nearly a dozen automatic NCAA qualifying times were put on the board by the Florida Gators, led by senior Sebastien Rousseau in the 200 fly and Marcin Cieslak in the individual medley and butterfly events.

3 (tie). California (3-0, 0-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 3

Results
Cal Poly King of the Pool (9/20-21), unscored
W vs. Pacific (10/3), 149-104
W vs. Indiana (10/11), 173-122
W vs. Wisconsin (11/1), 151-131

Since last poll:
USA Swimming nationals (12/5-7)

Next competition: Cal Invitational, January 18-19

Josh Prenot was the standout swimmer for the Golden Bears at nationals, placing second in the 400 IM and competing in numerous championship finals. Tyler Messerschmidt and 2012 NCAA champion Will Hamilton also placed high in their events.

5. Arizona (1-2, 0-2 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 15

Results
L at Utah (10/19), 152-148
W vs. UNLV (10/25), 208-91
L vs. Southern California (11/9), 172-128

Since last poll:
Texas Invitational (12/5-7)

Next competition: January 24 at Stanford

An American record in the 100 breast by Kevin Cordes and the nation’s fastest 100 fly by Giles Smith — as well as numerous NCAA automatic qualifying times throughout its squad– vaulted the Wildcats into the top five for the first time this season.

6. Southern California (2-0, 2-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 7 (tie)

Results
W at Arizona State (11/8), 171-119
W at Arizona (11/9), 172-128

Since last poll:
Texas Invitational (12/5-7)

Next competition: January 11 vs. Wisconsin

Cristian Quintero’s win in the 200 free and some strong freestyle relays showed off the strengths of Dave Salo’s squad at the Texas Invite. Freshman Michael Domagala also impressed with a runner-up finish in the 200 butterfly.

7. Missouri (4-1, 2-1 SEC)
Last poll rank: 20

Results
Show-Me-Showdown (10/4), first place
L vs. Florida (10/17), 169-130
W at Southern Illinois (10/24-25), 333-106
W vs. Kentucky (at Southern Illinois) (10/24-25), 267.5-177.5
W vs. Texas A&M (11/1), 186-114
W at Missouri State (11/8), 155-88

Since last poll:
Mizzou Invitational (11/21-23)

Next competition: January 11 at Tennessee

The Tigers were the biggest movers in this week’s poll. Missouri’s breaststroke squad, as well as freestyler Max Grodecki, continue to improve through the season, posting fast times at the Mizzou Invite.

8. Louisville (2-1, 0-0 American)
Last poll rank: 19

Results
W vs. Xavier (10/11), 189-70
W vs. Tennessee (10/24), 167-132
L at North Carolina (11/1-2), 186-161

Since last poll:
Michigan Open (11/22-24)
USA Swimming nationals (12/5-7)

Next competition: January 4 at Georgia Tech

NCAA champion Joao de Lucca’s 1:31.61 in the 200 free at the USA Swimming nationals was not the only highlight for Louisville at nationals. Caryle Blondell, Kameron Chastain and Grigory Tarasevich provided fast individual swims and helped in the Cardinals’ efforts to get relays qualified for NCAAs.

9. Auburn (2-1, 1-0 SEC)
Last poll rank: 17

Results
Dennis Stark Relays (10/11), second place
W at Notre Dame (10/ 12), 201-99
L vs. Michigan (10/12), 195-103
At Royals Invite (10/25), unscored
W at LSU (11/2), 151-87

Since last poll:
Auburn Invite (11/22-24)

Next competition: January 9 at Texas

Auburn freshman Joe Patching gave Auburn a boost in the backstrokes, and reliable sprinter Marcelo Chierighini continued to position himself as an NCAA title contender in the sprint freestyles with very strong performances at their home invitational.

10. Georgia (5-1, 2-1 SEC)
Last poll rank: 7 (tie)

Results
W vs. Kentucky (9/25),162-110
W vs. Wisconsin (10/4-5), 179-139
W vs. Georgia Tech (10/15), 184-109
W at LSU (10/18), 180-112
L at Florida (11/1), 179-119
W vs. Emory (11/15), 137-73

Since last poll:
Auburn Invitational (11/22-24)

Next competition: January 4 vs. North Carolina State

The Georgia Bulldogs have been consistently strong all season, but a strong meet at Auburn wasn’t enough to keep them from slipping a few spots. Chase Kalisz’s 3:40 in the 400 IM was a major highlight, as was Tynan Stewart’s 200 fly-200 back double victory.

11. Ohio State (8-0, 3-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 10

Results
W at Kentucky (10/11), 176-122
W vs. Kenyon (10/25), 186-101
W vs. Cleveland State (10/25), 201-91
W vs. Denison (10/25), 202-90
W vs. Virginia Tech (10/25), 165.5-135.5
W at Purdue (11/8), 169-131
W vs. Iowa (at Purdue) (11/8), 195-105
W vs. Northwestern (at Purdue) (11/8), 231-69

Since last poll:
Buckeye Invitational (11/22-24)

Next competition: January 17-18 at Kenyon Winter Invitational

The Florida Gators might have overshadowed some of the fast swims put up by the Buckeyes in their home pool a few weeks ago, but they did not go unnoticed by the coaches in this poll.

12. Stanford (2-0, 0-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 5

Results
W vs. Indiana (10/12), 183-111
W vs. Wisconsin (11/2), 175-116

Since last poll:
UNLV Invitational (11/21-23)

Next competition: January 11 vs. Pacific

David Nolan led a Cardinal squad that continued to pace itself toward the second half of the season, putting up times that showed improvement over earlier meets but not as much improvement as the top teams.

13. Minnesota (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 5

Results
W vs. Arizona State (10/5), 190-95
L vs. Florida (10/12), 172-124
W at Wisconsin (10/18-19), 220-150
W at Iowa (11/1), 174-126
W at North Dakota (11/9), 179-113
Arena Grand Prix (11/14-16)

Since last poll:
Jean Freeman Invite (12-6-7)

Next competition: January 11 at Hawaii

The Gophers didn’t put up any performances on par with their swims at the Arena Grand Prix at their home pool during the Jean Freeman Invite, hence the slight slip in the poll rankings.

14. North Carolina (3-2, 0-0 ACC)
Last poll rank: 13

Results
Virginia Tech Swimming Challenge (10/11), second place
L at Texas (10/17), 171-126
W at Texas Christian, 188-109
W vs. Louisville (11/1-2), 186-161

Since last poll:
Nike Cup (11/21-23)

Next competition: January 3 vs. Penn State (in Naples, Fla.)

North Carolina didn’t put up many times that were season bests at the Nike Cup, thus the slight slip down in the poll.

15. Virginia Tech (6-1, 3-0 ACC)
Last poll rank: 16

Results
Virginia Tech Swimming Challenge (10/11), first place
W vs. North Carolina State (10/19), 185-113
L at Ohio State (11/1), 156.5-135.5
W vs. Denison (at Ohio State) (11/1), 251-49
W vs. Cleveland State (at Ohio State) (11/1), 252-48
W at Cincinnati (11/2), 139-93
W at Pittsburgh (11/9), 204-106
W vs. Notre Dame (at Pittsburgh) (11/9), 181-119

Since last poll:
Virginia Tech Invitational (11/21-23)

Next competition: January 4 vs. Buffalo (in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Swimming in their home pool at the Hokie Invite, Morgan Latimer and Jan Switkowski helped Virginia Tech stay in the top 20 this week.

16 (tie). Florida State (3-0, 2-0 ACC)
Last poll rank: 11

Results
All-Florida Invite (9/27-29), second place
W at Alabama (10/12), 179-121
W vs. North Carolina State (10/25), 162-136
W vs. Georgia Tech (10/25), 213-65

Since last poll:
Auburn Invitational (11/22-24)

Next competition: January 4 at Florida

Florida State put up a few lifetime bests at the Auburn Invite, including a 1:44.08 from Connor Knight in the 200 fly. Pavel Sankovich and Paul Murray continued to lead the team with strong times as they prepare for the second half of the season.

16 (tie). Indiana (2-4, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 9

Results
L at California (10/11), 173-122
L at Stanford (10/12), 183-111
L vs. Michigan (10/25), 203-97
L vs. Texas (10/25), 204-96
W vs. Kentucky (11/1), 208-92
W vs. Tennessee (11/1), 179-121

Since last poll:
USA Swimming nationals (12/5-7)

Next competition: January 18 vs. Missouri at Iowa

The Hoosiers sat out of competition for the bulk of November, holding out for nationals. Eric Ress in the 200 back, Cody Miller in the 200 breast and Steven Schmuhl in the middle distance events stood out for Indiana, but the team did not show much strength across the board that other teams displayed.

18. Virginia (2-2, 1-0 ACC)
Last poll rank: 18

Results
W at Navy (10/25), 212-88
L vs. Penn State (11/8-9), 191-162
L vs. Texas (11/8-9), 225-128
W vs. West Virginia (11/8-9), 241-111

Since last poll:
Buckeye Invitational (11/22-24)

Next competition: January 17 vs. Harvard and Virginia Tech

Racing against teams such as Florida and Ohio State helped Virginia’s quest to get better as they closed out competition this fall.

19. Penn State (3-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 14

Results
W vs. West Virginia (10/18), 153-129
W at Buffalo (11/2), 155-137
W at Virginia (11/8-9), 191-162
L vs. Texas (at Virginia) (11/8-9), 185-168

Since last poll:
Texas Invitational (12/5-7)

Next competition: January 3 vs. North Carolina (in Naples, Fla.)

Penn State raced the Texas Longhorns for the second time this season, putting up impressive times in Austin at the Texas Invitational. Nate Savoy was the standout for the Nittany Lions, posting a 1:42.26 in the 200 backstroke.

20. Notre Dame (4-4, 1-1 ACC)
Last poll: Not ranked

Results
Dennis Stark Relays (10/11), third place
L vs. Michigan (10/12), 201-99
L vs. Auburn (10/12), 153-147
W at Air Force (10/25), 134-128
L at Purdue (11/1), 206-94
W at Pittsburgh (11/9), 197-103
L vs. Virginia Tech (at Pittsburgh) (11/9), 181-119
W vs. Michigan State (11/15), 197-103
W vs. Wisconsin (11/16), 191.5-108.5
Hawkeye Invitational (12/6-8)

Next competition: January 11 at Northwestern

Notre Dame returns to the poll after a six-week absence, thanks to a dominating showing at the Hawkeye Invitational. A few school records by Zach Stevens in the 200 IM, Bogac Ayhan in the 100 back and Tom Anderson in the 200 IM were primary reasons why Notre Dame returns to the top 25, as well as Frank Dyer in the freestyle events.

21. Iowa (1-4, 1-4 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 23

Results
L at Michigan (9/27), 182-110
W vs. Michigan State (10/18), 182-113
L vs. Minnesota (11/1), 176-121
L at Purdue (11/8), 195-105
L vs. Ohio State (at Purdue) (11/8), 173-127

Since last poll:
Hawkeye Invitational (12/6-8)

Next competition: January 18 vs. Missouri and Indiana

The Hawkeyes stayed home last weekend and improved on a few swims this season to keep them in poll. The breaststroke trio of Andrew Marciniak, Roman Trussov and Quillian Oak provided the big highlights of the meet for Iowa.

22. Utah (3-0, 1-0 Pac 12)
Last poll: Not ranked

Results
W vs. Arizona (10/19) 152-148
W vs. Colorado Mesa (10/25), 187-107
W vs. UNLV (11/8), 166-143
Mizzou Invitational (11/21-23)
USA Swimming nationals (12/5-7)

Next competition: January 5 vs. Arizona State

Utah shone in various events throughout the three days at the USA Swimming nationals, including championship finals appearances by Nick Soedel and Kristian Kron. The Utes were strong in the relays as well in Tennessee.

23. Nevada-Las Vegas (3-2, 0-0 Mountain West)
Last poll rank: Not ranked

Results
L at Arizona (10/25), 208-91
W at Arizona State (10/26), 192-105
W vs. Toronto (11/1), 177-85
L at Utah (11/8), 166-134
W at BYU (11/9), 160-140
UNLV Fall Invite (11/21-23)

Next competition: January 11 at UC-Santa Barbara

The Rebels raced a formidable Stanford foe at home in their invitational meet, and the result was a few top-three finishes throughout the meet.

24. Harvard (3-0, 3-0, Ivy League)
Last poll rank: Not ranked

Results
W vs. Dartmouth (at Cornell) (11/15), 211.5-88.5
W at Cornell (11/15), 229-71
W vs. Columbia (11/22), 170-130
Texas Invitational (12/5-7)

Next competition: January 11 vs. Brown

Harvard’s relays were the highlight of the Texas Invitational, especially the third-place 400 free relay. Chris Satterthwaite and Jack Manchester helped the team make their coaches’ poll debut this season.

25 (tie). South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC)
Last poll rank: 25

Results
W at College of Charleston (10/12), 178-109
L at Tennessee (10/18), 172-128
W at East Carolina (10/26), 191-107
W vs. LSU (11/9), 166-134

Since last poll:
Virginia Tech Invitational (11/21-23)

Next competition: January 11 vs. Duke

Kevin Leithold continued to show great promise with a strong weekend at Virginia Tech, posting what was then the fastest collegiate time in the 100 free and 100 breast.

25 (tie). Princeton (2-0, 2-0 Ivy League)
Last poll rank: Not ranked

Results
Princeton Open (11/15-16)
W vs. Penn (11/23), 172-123
W vs. Cornell (11/23), 203-92
Big Al Open (12/6-8)

Next competition: January 4 vs. Navy

Breaking school records in the 200 and 400 IM, Teo D’Allessandro helped the Tigers move into the top 25 for the first time this season. Michael Strand’s program record in the 100 backstroke at the Big Al Open was another highlight.

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