The Week That Was: Stanford Picks Up Strong Verbals As Ledecky Makes College Debut

2016.03.19 2016 Womens NCAA Swimming Championships_Stanford Trophy

Photo Courtesy: Reagan Lunn/Georgia Tech Athletics

This week was a stellar one for the Stanford Cardinal, who picked up four strong members for the eventual class of 2021 while Katie Ledecky made her NCAA competition debut in the team’s win over Oregon State. Catch up on all that action and more from The Week That Was below!

The Week That Was #5 – Michigan Edges Louisville By One Point At SMU Classic

Knoxville, TN - December 7, 2013: University of Michigan Swimmer during the 2013 AT&T Swimming Winter National Championships on December 7, 2013 in Knoxville, Tennessee at the Allan Jones Aquatic Center. Photo By Matthew DeMaria/Tennessee Athletics

Photo Courtesy: Matthew DeMaria/Tennessee Athletics

As we move into the full swing of the NCAA season, we are already getting some amazing in-season performances that may hint at teams to watch at the end of the season. The University of Michigan women, who are coming off a win over Louisville at home in an unusual three session dual meet. Traveling down to SMU, the Michigan women edged Louisville by just a single point (325-324) while also defeating top teams USC (303), UCLA (266.5), SMU (237), and Miami (184.5). There were a number of close races individually, including Michigan sophomore Yirong Bi, who won the 500 by just .02 over Louisville’s Mallory Comerford. Michigan freshman Vanessa Krause won the 200 butterfly (1:56.46) by just .10 over USC’s Maddie Wright. A host of second place finishes and strong performances on both boards by freshman Kristen Hayden helped secure Michigan the win in an unusual format where teams only bring 8 swimmers and 1 diver to compete in the two day meet. Michigan will next take on Virginia and Penn State in November.

The Week That Was #4 – World Swimming Association Announces 2017 Constitutional Convention

The World Swimming Association (WSA), a new organization working to serve as an alternative to FINA, announced last week that their Constitutional Convention will be held in Washington D.C. next year in September. The convention will serve two primary goals: 1) to approve a final WSA Constitution and 2) to form committees related to the many developmental areas within the WSA. Information concerning the WSA and its current working constitution can be found on their website. In their announcement, the WSA claimed their aim is to end the “corruption, self-centered governance, and money into the pockets of those ‘leading’ the sport.” They also declared their intention to end the high prevalence of doping through more stringent testing. A significant difference between the WSA and FINA appears to be their respective selection processes for choosing a governing board and terminating current members.

The Week That Was #3 – University of North Dakota Considering Dropping Swimming And Diving Program

Another swim program is on the chopping block this week, with the University of North Dakota considering cutting six athletics programs by the end of the year, including swimming & diving. UND President Mark Kennedy will ultimately make the decision as to which programs are cut at the end of the year with input from a committee. The recommendation to cut athletics programs was initially made last spring by interim President Ed Schafer in order to reduce expenditures. Head swimming coach Chris Maiello was able to meet with President Kennedy and the committee in person last week to give a public presentation to argue for the survival of the programs. Student-athletes were also able to present in defense of their sport. A former UND coach, prominent team alum, and a CSCAA executive all also gathered with Kennedy privately before the public presentation to speak on behalf of the program. The CSCAA has advocated for the survival of college swim programs across the country and provided research that shows the positive economic impact programs can have for an institution. The final decision from Kennedy should be made by the end of the month.

The Week That Was #2 – Katie Ledecky Makes NCAA Debut

katie-ledecky-prelims-200-free-2016-rio-olympics

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

A sellout crowd was on hand last Friday at Oregon State to witness the NCAA debut of Olympic champion Katie Ledecky, who this year is beginning her freshman campaign with Stanford. Ledecky’s first collegiate swim came as the anchor of the 200 medley relay, which the Cardinal won handily in 1:42.92. While it may seem odd to have Ledecky on the anchor of a sprint relay, remember she did provide a key anchor leg to the 400 freestyle relays in Rio. In fact, Ledecky was totally absent from her traditional distance freestyle events, notching her first individual win in the 100 freestyle (50.10) while placing second in the 200 butterfly (1:58.77) behind teammate Janet Hu (1:57.96). Ledecky was also on the second place exhibition relay from Stanford with a 49.95 split. Ledecky has expressed interest in expanding her lineup of events in college, and Coach Greg Meehan is likely looking to use alternate events to challenge Ledecky as she moves into the short course season. Ledecky is the current yards American Record holder in the 500, 1,000, and 1,650 freestyle events. Stanford will next take on Washington State this Thursday, October 20th at home.

The Week That Was #1 – Stanford Women Grab Huge Verbal Commitments

Photo Courtesy: Grace Zhao (Instagram)

While Stanford was busy opening their season against Oregon State last week, they were also busy bringing in some of the best recruits in the nation in a matter of a few days. First to give her verbal this week was National Junior Team Member Brooke Forde, a versatile addition who specializes in the 400 IM and could contribute in a number of other events, including the 200 IM, 200 breast, 200 fly, and 200 free. Later that night Hannah Kukurugya and Ashley Volpenhein added their names to the Class of 2021, giving the Cardinal women three big names in less than 24 hours. Kukurugya is a strong butterflier from Indiana who can also contribute in the 200 IM and 200 free, while Volpenhein is a pure sprinter from Ohio who will be a factor both individually and in relays. Grace Zhao also announced her verbal at the same time to make it an incredible week for the Cardinal recruiting. Zhao is a breaststroker who also has some versatility in the sprints and 200 IM. While Stanford will graduate Lia Neal this year, these freshman will be part of a team that includes superstars Simone Manuel, Katie Ledecky, Janet Hu, Ella Eastin, and Ally Howe. Expect these women to not only be huge contributors at the Pac-12 conference meet, but to continue to extend Stanford’s strength at NCAA’s as the team continues to look to challenge for an NCAA team title.

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