By Dan D’Addona.
Most of the top teams in the nation have had a challenging dual meet early in the season, many have already had a rivalry meet.
But the competition will reach a new level this week at the Ohio State Invitational, which runs Friday-Sunday at McCorkie Aquatic Pavilion in Columbus, Ohio.
With 10 participating schools, mostly ranked and power conference teams, this meet will have the feel of a conference meet, even a national meet at times.
The host Ohio State Buckeyes are ranked No. 25 in the College Swimming Coaches Association of America men’s poll, while the women are No. 24.
The competition they have invited is fierce.
The No. 1 Stanford women will be there, giving freshman Katie Ledecky her first big collegiate invitational. Ledecky has been shattering NCAA and pool records left and right and many of the McCorkie records could be in jeopardy this week.
If the competition isn’t going against Ledecky, it is a pick your poison feel for coaches with Stanford’s Simone Manuel, Lia Neal and Janet Hu.
From the Big Ten, the Penn State men and women (No. 29) will participate, as well as both Iowa teams.
Penn State’s Shane Ryan is coming off the NCAA’s fastest 100-yard backstroke this season in 45.75 at the USA College Challenge.
Joining Stanford from the Pac-12 are the Utah men (No. 26) and women and the Washington State women (No. 27).
Kentucky (No. 22 men, No. 23 women), Yale, Pitt and Division III power Kenyon also will compete in Columbus.
The meet is set up in a three-day format with prelims at 11 a.m. ET on Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. Finals begin at 6 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.
Northwestern Invitational
Ohio State isn’t the only Big Ten team hosting an invitational this weekend.
The Northwestern Wildcats are hosting their annual invitational in Evanston, Ill., that runs Friday-Sunday.
Big Ten foe Michigan State will compete as well as Air Force, Grand Canyon University, St. Louis University, Truman State, Illinois-Chicago and Northern Iowa.
So excited for our Kenyon ladies and lords….let’s go!!