Women’s NCAA Division I Preview: Individual Medley

By John Lohn

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, March 7. THROUGHOUT the week, SwimmingWorldMagazine.com will preview the Women's NCAA Division I Championships to be held in Minneapolis, Minn., from March 8-10. Next up, here's a look at the individual medley events.

Also, as a treat for our premium members, click here to find out how you can obtain an extensive resource package on the meet.

200 Individual Medley
The shorter of the medley disciplines could produce an American record due to the anticipated showdown between Stanford's Julia Smit and Arizona's Whitney Myers. Smit enters the meet as the top seed, behind a qualification time of 1:55.38. The American record stands at 1:53.91, established by Auburn's Maggie Bowen during the 2002 season.

Smit has been nothing short of sensational during her freshman campaign, but will receive a major challenge from Myers, the second seed at 1:55.92. Myers is the reigning Pan Pacific champion in the 200 IM and is expected to drop time from the Pac-10 Championships. Myers will also be a leading medal contender in the event later this month at the World Championships in Melbourne.

Freshman Elaine Breeden, seeded third at 1:56.92, and Caroline Bruce, the 10th seed, are expected to bolster Stanford's scoring in the event. Meanwhile, Auburn will rely on fifth and sixth-seeded Ava Ohlgren and Emily Kukors for a boost. Yi Ting Siow, representing Wisconsin, is the fourth seed.

400 Individual Medley
Again, Julia Smit (Stanford) and Whitney Myers (Arizona) should battle for the top slot, although they're likely to have company from the East Coast. Smit owns the top qualifying mark of 4:04.02 and Myers sits in the fourth slot at 4:11.44. Don't let the time difference deceive, however, as Myers wasn't primed for the Pac-10 Champs.

The other headliner in the field is Princeton's Alicia Aemisegger, the Ivy League champion and second seed at 4:09.27. A product of Germantown Academy, Aemisegger comes from a high school and club program known for pumping out top-flight medley performers. The third seed, like Smit and Aemisegger, is a freshman. Melissa Hain (Texas A&M) comes in with a qualifying mark of 4:11.11.

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