Stanford Knocks California Off Top Spot In Final CSCAA Women’s Division I Poll

PHOENIX, Arizona, February 17. IT took an entire dual-meet season to do it, but the California Golden Bears women’s team was just knocked off the top spot in the College Swim Coaches Association of America’s poll of the top 25 Division I women’s swimming and diving teams. And it was chief rival Stanford that knocked Cal off the perch they’d enjoyed since last October.

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. Also participating in the poll:

Chair: Matt Barany, University of Richmond; Arthur Albiero, University of Louisville; Dan Colella, Duke University; Roric Fink, University of Texas; Naya Higashijima, UCLA; Kristin Hill, Boise State University; Sue Novitsky, University of Illinois; Brian Smith, University of Georgia; Suzanne Yee, Princeton University

1. Stanford (10-0, 7-0 Pac 12)
Previous rank: 4

Results
W vs. San Jose State (9/26), 138-100
W vs. Washington State (10/3), 147-104
W at Oregon State (10-25), 170-88
W vs. Wisconsin (11/2), 201-85
Art Adamson Invitational (11/21-23)
W at Texas (1/4), 154-146
W vs. Arizona (1/24), 157-138
W vs. Arizona State (1/25), 148-68

Since last poll:
W at UCLA (1-31), 180-120
W at Southern California (2/1), 170-130
W vs. California (2/15), 167-133

Next competition: Pac 12 swimming and diving championships (2/26-3/1)

The Cardinal achieved a perfect season, thanks to strong wins over Southern Cal and rival California.

2. Southern California (7-1, 6-1 Pac 12)
Previous rank: 5

Results
W at Washington State (10/18), 146-116
SMU Classic (10/18-19), first place
W at Arizona State (11/8), 167-128
W at Arizona (11/9), 167-133
Texas Invitational (12/5-7)
W vs. Utah (1/10), 119-91
W vs. Wisconsin (1/11), 154-103

Since last poll:
W vs. California (1/31), 180.5-119.5
L vs. Stanford (2/1), 170-130
W at UCLA (2/17), 165-135

Next competition: Pac 12 swimming and diving championships (2/26-3/1)

The Trojans finished the dual-meet season strong, putting up strong times to help them beat Cal in January.

3. Georgia (10-0-1, 5-0-1 SEC)
Previous rank: 2

Results
W vs. Kentucky (9/25), 165-98
W vs. Wisconsin (10/4-5), 182-136
W vs. Georgia Tech (10/15), 187-88
W at LSU (10/18), 170.5-118.5
W at Florida (11/7), 162-138
W vs. Emory (11/15), 137-73
Auburn Invitational (11/22-24)
W vs North Carolina State (1/4), 186-113
Tie at Texas A&M (1/10), 150-150
W at Texas (1/11), 157.5-142.5
W vs. Tennessee (1/25), 177.5-114.5

Since last poll:
W vs. Alabama (2/1), 181-102

Next competition: Pac 12 swimming and diving championships (2/26-3/1)

A shift in the top two teams in this final poll caused Georgia to slip a bit in the rankings, but the Bulldogs stay in the top three as they prepare to defend their national title.

4. Texas A&M (8-0-1, 3-0-1 SEC)
Previous rank: 3

Results
W at Vanderbilt (10/12), 154.5-98.5
W vs. Texas (10/18), 152-148
W at Missouri (11/1), 159-118
Art Adamson Invitational (11/21-23)
W vs. Rice (12/20), 158-96
Tie vs. Georgia (1/10), 150-150
W vs. SMU (1/11), 174-110
W vs. Houston (1/16), 159-125
W at Louisiana State (1/18), 168-127

Since last poll:
W vs. North Texas (2/1), 153-97

Next competition: Southeastern Conference championships (Tuesday through Saturday)

Racing against a weaker team didn’t help the Aggies stay in the top three in the CSCAA poll, but they remain in the top five, as they have all season.

5. California (7-2, 5-2 Pac 12)
Previous rank: 1

Results
W at Oregon State (9/27), 161-95
W vs. Washington State (10/4), 164-89
W vs. Florida (10/19-20), 238-210
W vs. Wisconsin (11/1), 163-111
UNLV Fall Invitational (11/21-23)
USA Swimming nationals (12/5-7)
W vs. Arizona State (1/24), 229-69
W vs. Arizona (1/25), 190-109

Since last poll:
L at Southern California (1/31), 190.5-119.5
W at UCLA (2/1), 183.5-116.5
L at Stanford (2/15), 167-133

Next competition: Pac 12 swimming and diving championships (2/26-3/1)

Two losses on the road to end the season severely hurt Cal’s chances of keeping the No. 1 spot, but the reigning NCAA runners-up now look toward the postseason.

6. Texas (9-3, 1-0 Big 12)
Previous rank: 6

Results
W vs. Rice (10/11), 149-99
W vs. North Carolina (10/17), 171-129
L at Texas A&M (10/18), 152-148
W at Indiana (10/25) 155-141
W vs. Michigan (at Indiana) (10/25), 210-90
W at Virginia (11/8-9), 196-157
W vs. Penn State (at Virginia) (11/8-9), 242-111
W vs. West Virginia (at Virginia) (11/8-9), 297-41
Texas Invitational (12/5-7)
L vs. Stanford (1/4), 154-146
W vs. Auburn (1/9), 168.5-129.5
L vs. Georgia (1/11), 157.5-142.5

Since last poll:
W at Arizona (1/31-2/1), 196-157

Next competition: Big 12 championships (2/26-3/1)

Beating Arizona was a big coup for Texas in terms of dual meet victories, and but it wasn’t enough to get the Longhorns into that esteemed top five.

7. Virginia (11-1, 4-0 ACC)
Previous rank: 7

Results
W at Navy (10/25), 250-50
W vs. Yale (at Navy) (10/25), 237-63
L vs. Texas (11/8-9), 196-157
W vs. Penn State (11/8-9), 226-127
W vs. West Virginia (11/8-9), 288-50
Buckeye Invitational (11/22-24)
W at Virginia Tech (1/18), 245-125
W vs. Miami (at Virginia Tech) (1/18), 266-93
W vs. Wisconsin (at Virginia Tech) (1/18), 225-139
W at Duke (1/24), 187.5-98.5
W at North Carolina (1/25), 152-146

Since last poll:
W at North Carolina State (2/1), 178.5-115.5
W vs. Pittsburgh (2/8), 189-103

Next competition: Atlantic Coast Conference championships (Wednesday through Saturday)

Virginia holds their spot after beating two teams to close out the dual-meet season, led by a school record in the 1000 free by Leah Smith.

8. Tennessee (8-0, 3-0 SEC)
Previous rank: 12

Results
W at UNC-Wilmington (9/27), 178-116
W vs. South Carolina (10/18), 169-124
W at Louisville (10/24), 170-130
W at Indiana (11/1), 171-123
W vs. Kentucky (at Indiana) (11/1), 214-84
Georgia Tech Invitational (11/22-24)
USA Swimming nationals (12/5-7)
W vs. Virginia Tech (1/11), 192-108
W vs. Missouri (1/11), 192.5-106.5
L at Georgia (1/25), 177.5-114.5

Since last poll:
W at Florida (2/1), 152-148

Next competition: Southeastern Conference championships (Tuesday through Saturday)

Beating Florida in the Swamp helped the Volunteers make a big push up the rankings, solidly into the top 10.

9. Florida (5-3, 3-2 SEC)
Previous rank: 8

Results
All-Florida Invite (9/27-29), first place
W at Missouri (10/17), 181-109
L at California (10/19-20), 238-210
L vs. Georgia (11/1), 162-138
W vs. Alabama (11/7), 179-113
Buckeye Invitational (11/22-24)
W vs. Florida State (1/4), 153-147
W vs. Florida Atlantic (1/18), 175-112
W vs. Auburn (1/25), 173.5-124.5

Since last poll:
L vs. Tennessee (2/1), 152-148

Next competition: Southeastern Conference championships (Tuesday through Saturday)

Losing to a conference rival caused the Gators to slip a bit, but will head into the postseason with a top 10 ranking.

10. North Carolina (9-2, 3-1 ACC)
Previous rank: 9

Results
W at Virginia Tech (10/11), 233-120
W vs. Radford (at Virginia Tech) (10/11), 289-55
W vs. Liberty (at Virginia Tech) (10/11), 262-87
W vs. James Madison (at Virginia Tech) (10/11), 272.5-80.5
L at Texas (10/17), 171-129
W at TCU (10/18), 200-97
SMU Classic (10/18-19), third place
W vs Louisville (11/1-2), 213-140
Dowd Nike Cup (11/21-23)
W vs. Navy (1/11), 194-97
L vs. Virginia (1/25), 152-146

Since last poll:
W vs. North Carolina State (1/31), 167.5-126.5
W at Duke (2/1), 157-134

Next competition: Friday vs. North Carolina State

Winning dual meets against two conference teams kept the Tar Heels in the top 10, and gave them a winning dual-meet conference record.

11. Arizona (7-1, 3-1 Pac 12)
Previous rank: 10

Results
W at Utah (10/19), 204-96
W vs. UNLV (10/25), 183-109
W vs. UCLA (11/8), 151-149
L vs. USC (11/9), 167-133
W vs. Boise State (11/23) 172-106
Texas Invitational (12/5-7)
W vs. Oregon State (1/3), 195-91
W vs. New Mexico State (1/3), 202-92
W vs. Northern Arizona (1/3), 188-107
L at Stanford (1/24), 158-137
L at California (1/25), 190-109

Since last poll:
L vs. Texas (1/31-2/1), 196-157
W at Arizona State (2/8), 196-157

Next competition: Pac 12 championships (2/26-3/1)

The Wildcats have been teetering in and out of the top 10, and end the dual-meet season just outside of it after a big loss to Texas.

12. Minnesota (9-0, 5-0 Big Ten)
Previous rank: 13 (tie)

Results
W vs. Arizona State (10/5), 197-94
W vs. Michigan (10/11), 174.5-125.5
W at Wisconsin (10/18-19), 218-152
W at Iowa (11/1), 194-101
W at North Dakota (11/9), 179-114
Minneapolis Grand Prix (11/14-16)
Jean Freeman Invite (12/5-7)
W at Hawaii (1/11), 164-95
W vs. North Carolina State (1/24-25), 190.5-156.5

Since last poll:
W vs. Purdue (1/31-2/1), 226-127
W vs. Wisconsin (1/31-2/1), 202-149

Next competition: Big 10 championships (Wednesday through Saturday)

Minnesota completes a perfect dual meet season with two victories over conference rivals in a two-day racing format.

13. Indiana (8-3, 5-0 Big Ten)
Previous rank: 11

Results
Dennis Stark Relays (10/11), third place
W at Notre Dame (10/12), 155-145
L vs. Auburn (at Notre Dame) (10/12), 180-120
SMU Classic (10/18-19), second place
W vs. Michigan (10/25), 181-119
L vs. Texas (10/25), 158.5-141.5
L vs. Tennessee (11/1), 171-123
W vs. Kentucky (11/1), 199-95
USA Swimming nationals (12/5-7)
W vs. Iowa (1/18), 170-126
W vs. Missouri (at Iowa) (1/18), 170-121
W vs. Illinois (at Iowa) (1/18), 193-103
W vs. Purdue (1/25), 154.5-134.5

Since last poll:
W vs. Louisville (1/31), 175-123

Next competition: Big 10 championships (Wednesday through Saturday)

Indiana put some impressive times against Louisville, but wasn’t enough to hold their 11th-place spot.

14. Louisville (6-3, 2-0 American)
Previous rank: 13 (tie)

Results
W vs. Xavier (10/11), 189-70
SMU Classic (10/18-19), third place
L vs. Tennessee (10/24), 170-130
L at North Carolina (11/1), 213-140
Michigan Invitational (11/22-24)
USA Swimming nationals (12/5-7)
W vs. Georgia Tech (1/4), 202-60
W vs. Cincinnati (1/11), 211-84
W vs. Houston (1/11), 210-85
W vs. Notre Dame (1/18), 171-129
W vs. Kentucky (1/25), 193-107

Since last poll:
L at Indiana (1/31), 175-123

Next competition: American Athletic Conference championships (Wednesday through Saturday)

The Cardinals’ top-end talent wasn’t enough to beat Indiana’s depth.

15. Ohio State (9-1, 3-0 Big Ten)
Previous rank: 16

Results
W at Kentucky (10/11), 195-104
W vs. Kenyon (10/25), 191-99
W vs. Cleveland State (11/1), 252-48
W vs. Denison (11/1), 251.5-48.5
W vs. Virginia Tech (11/1), 191-109
L at Purdue (11/8), 157-143
W vs. Northwestern (11/8), 211-89
W vs. Ohio (11/9), 193-106
Buckeye Invitational (11/22-24)
W at Toledo (1/11), 206.5-93.5
Kenyon Winter Invite (1/24-25)

Since last poll:
W vs. Michigan (1/31-2/1), 181-172

Next competition: Big 10 championships (Wednesday through Saturday)

Beating conference rival Michigan got the Buckeyes into the top 15.

16. UCLA (10-1, 4-4 Pac 12)
Previous rank: 17

Results
W at San Diego (10/19), 184.5-101.5
W vs. Santa Barbara (11/1), 198-99
W vs. Oregon State (11/1), 179-77
W vs. Florida Gulf Coast (11/1), 201-98
L at Arizona (11/8), 151-149
W at Arizona State (11/9), 183-113
UNLV Fall Invitational (11/21-23)
Texas Invitational (12/5-7)
W vs. Utah (1/11), 157-134
W at Washington State (1/17-18), 275-147

Since last poll:
L vs. Stanford (1/31), 180-120
L vs. California (2/1), 183.5-116.5
L vs. Southern California (2/17) 165-135

Next competition: Pac 12 championships (2/26-3/1)

Losing their final three home meets to strong teams didn’t seem to hurt UCLA in the polls, as the Bruins move up one spot.

17. Michigan (6-5, 3-4 Big Ten)
Previous rank: 20

Results
W vs. Iowa (9/27), 185-111
L at Minnesota (10/11), 174.5-125.5
L at Indiana (10/25), 181-119
L vs. Texas (at Indiana) (10/25), 210-90
W at Toledo (11/1), 221-79
Michigan Open (11/22-24)
USA Swimming nationals (12/5-7)
Orange Bowl Classic (1/3)
L at Purdue (1/10), 164.5-135.5
W at Northwestern (1/11), 172-128
W vs. Notre Dame (at Northwestern) (1/11), 168-132
W vs. Rutgers (at Northwestern) (1/11), 219-81

Since last poll:
L at Ohio State (1/31-2/1), 181-172
W at Michigan State (2/7), 164-107

Next competition: Big 10 championships (Wednesday through Saturday)

The Wolverines fought hard against Ohio State and handily beat their in-state rival to finish the season.

18. Auburn (4-1, 2-1 SEC)
Previous rank: 15

Results
W at Vanderbilt (9/27), 158-44
Dennis Stark Relays (10/11), first place
W at Notre Dame (10/12), 180-120
W vs. Indiana (at Notre Dame) (10/12), 180-120
Royals Invite (10/25), unscored
Auburn Invitational (11/22-24)
L at Texas (1/9), 168.5-129.5
L at Florida (1/25), 173.5-124.5

Since last poll:
W vs. South Carolina (2/1), 177-118

Next competition: Southeastern Conference championships (Tuesday through Saturday)

A win against South Carolina apparently did not make a case for Auburn to stay in the top 15.

19. Wisconsin (6-8, 2-2 Big Ten)
Previous rank: 25

Results
L at Georgia (10/4-5), 361-275
L vs. Minnesota (10/18-19), 438-302
L at California (11/1), 163-111
L at Stanford (11/2), 201-85
W at Northwestern (11/15), 162-136
L at Notre Dame (11/16), 171-126
Texas Invitational (12/5-7)
L at Southern California (1/11), 154-103
W at Virginia Tech (1/17-18), 203-164
L at Virginia (at Virginia Tech) (1/17-18), 225-139
W at Miami (at Virginia Tech), (1/17-18), 252-101

Since last poll:
W at Purdue (1/31-2/1), 183-168
L vs. Minnesota (1/31-2/1), 202-149
W at Milwaukee (2/7), 139-93
W at Green Bay (2/8), 140-94

Next competition: Big 10 championships (Wednesday through Saturday)

Wisconsin makes a big leap into the top 20 after ending their season with three dual-meet wins.

20. Notre Dame (8-4, 1-0 ACC)
Previous rank: 24

Results
Dennis Stark Relays (10/11)
L vs. Auburn (10/12), 180-120
L. vs. Indiana (10/12), 155-145
L at Purdue (11/1), 155.5-144.5
W at Pittsburgh (11/9), 193-107
W vs. Virginia Tech (at Pittsburgh) (11/9), 162-138
W vs. Valparaiso (11/15), 219-60
W vs. Wisconsin (11/15), 171-126
Hawkeye Invitational (12/6-8)
L vs. Michigan (at Northwestern) (1/11), 168-132
W vs. Northwestern (1/11), 160-140
W vs. Rutgers (1/11), 206-94
L at Louisville (1/18), 171-129

Since last poll:
W vs. Iowa (1/31-2/1), 263-106
W vs. Cleveland State (2/8), 162-124

Next competition: Atlantic Coast Conference championships (Wednesday through Saturday)

Notre Dame also found its way into the top 20 with two impressive meet wins, led by versatile junior Emma Reaney.

21. Purdue (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten)
Previous rank: 18

Results
W at Miami (Ohio) (10/18), 177-116
Indiana Intercollegiates (10/26), first place
W vs. Notre Dame (11/1), 155.5-144.5
W vs. Northwestern (11/8), 202-97
W vs. Ohio State (11/8), 157-143
Buckeye Invitational (11/22-24)
W at Hawaii (1/4), 146-91
W vs. Michigan (1/10), 164.5-135.5
W vs. Michigan State (1/11), 167-125
L at Indiana (1/25), 154.5-134.5

Since last poll:
L vs. Wisconsin (1/31-2/1), 183-168
L vs. Minnesota (1/31-2/1), 226-127

Next competition: Big 10 championships (Wednesday through Saturday)

Two losses against conference teams bumped Purdue out of the top 20.

22. North Carolina State (6-5, 4-3 ACC)
Previous rank: 21

Results
All North Carolina Invite (10/4-5)
W at Virginia Tech (10/19), 171-129
L at Florida State (10/25), 157-143
W vs. Georgia State (at Florida State) (10/25), 239-61
W vs. Duke (11/8), 168-121
W vs. Miami (11/8), 207-77
W vs. UNC-Wilmington (11/9), 166-112
Dowd Nike Cup (11/21-23)
L at Georgia (1/4), 186-113
W vs. Villanova (1/10), 175-104
L at Minnesota (1/24-25), 190-156

Since last poll:
L vs. North Carolina (1/31), 167.5-126.5
L vs. Virginia (2/1), 178.5-115.5

Next competition: Atlantic Coast Conference championships (Wednesday through Saturday)

The Wolfpack couldn’t get past in-state rival UNC or conference foe Virginia to finish the dual-meet season.

23. Penn State (5-2, 0-0 Big Ten)
Previous rank: 19

Results
W vs. West Virginia (10/18), 152-102
L at Virginia (11/8-9), 226-127
L vs. Texas (at Virginia) (11/8-9), 242-111
Texas Invitational (12/5-7)
Unscored meet vs. North Carolina (in Naples, Fla.)
W at Villanova (1/17), 166-118
W at Navy (1/25), 193-99

Since last poll:
W vs. Towson (2/1), 166-133
W vs. St Bonaventure (2/1), 232-64

Next competition: Big 10 championships (Wednesday through Saturday)

Penn State stays in the top 25 after beating two mid-major teams.

24. Arkansas (7-1, 2-1 SEC)
Previous rank: 25

Results
NTU Relays (10/4), first place
W at North Texas (10/5), 207-91
W at LSU (10/19), 180-120
W vs. Nebraska (10/26), 205-95
W at Missouri State (11/9), 203.5-88.5
Missouri Invite (11/21-23)
L at Alabama (1/11), 149-113
W vs. Kentucky (at Alabama) (1/11), 131.5-130.5
W vs. Rice (1/25), 207-86
W vs. Clemson (1/25), 230-19

Since last poll:
W vs. Kansas (2/1), 207-91
W vs. Vanderbilt (2/1), 203-83

Next competition: Southeastern Conference championships (Tuesday through Saturday)

Arkansas cleaned up in two dual meets against Kansas and Vanderbilt to wrap up the dual-meet season.

25. Louisiana State (6-4, 1-4 SEC)
Previous rank: Not ranked

Results
L vs. Georgia (10/18), 170.5-118.5
L vs. Arkansas (10/19), 180-120
W vs. Tulane (10/25), 211-89
L vs. Auburn (11/2), 151-87
W at South Carolina (11/9), 168.5-131.5
Art Adamson Invitational (11/21-23)
W vs. Southern Methodist (1/9), 185-112
L vs. Texas A&M (1/18), 168-127
W vs. Tulane (1/31-2/1), 287-65
W vs. Rice (1/31-2/1) 223-124
W vs. Houston (1/31-2/1), 278-75

Next competition: Southeastern Conference championships (Tuesday through Saturday)

The LSU Tigers make their debut into the top 25 with strong swims over three teams in one weekend to close out their regular season.

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