By Andrew Mering on SwimSwam

HORIZON LEAGUE – MEN AND WOMEN

• Wednesday, February 19 – Saturday, February 22
• Oakland Aquatics Center, Rochester, MI (Eastern Time Zone)
• Live results
• Championship Central
• Full Results (PDF)

First a few notes

• The highest scoring class at the meet was the Oakland freshmen with 256 points. Worryingly for the rest of the conference the lowest scoring class at the meet of any of the top 4 teams was Oakland’s seniors who only managed 22 points. Correspondingly Oakland returns the most individual points with 642. More than double next best Cleaveland St. The race for 2nd looks wide open next year as Cleveland St return 269, Illinois Chicago return 247, and IUPUI return 245.5
• The best class for the women was Oakland’s freshmen with 225 points. They return the most points with 547.5 returning individual points, nearly 200 more than next best Cleveland St’s 269.
• The highest point total for any men’s team in an event was Oakland’s 67 in the 200 IM. Similarly the Oakland women had the top event of the meet with 99 points in the 200 IM
• By Swimulator power points, the best swim of the men’s meet was Domini Poletta of Cleveland State’s 46.55 100 fly. The best swim of the women’s meet was Susan LaGrand of Oakland’s 1:58.22 200 IM.

There is a lot of data below. A quick table of contents: Final Scores, Individual Scores by Class, Score Progression, Points in Each Event for Each Team, Number of Times Each Team Got Each Place (Individual Events), and Individual Swimmer Performance Breakdown

Final Scores Men

1. Oakland: 858
2. Cleveland St: 633
3. Illinois: 544
4. Iupui: 479.5
5. Green Bay: 408
6. Milwaukee: 351.5
7. Youngstown St: 97

Final Scores Women

1. Oakland: 927.5
2. Cleveland St: 594
3. Iupui: 531
4. Illinois: 388
5. Milwaukee: 336.5
6. Green Bay: 288
7. Youngstown St: 282

Individual Scores by Year Men

Individual Scores by Year Women

Score Progression Men

What the score was after each event

Score Progression Women

What the score was after each event

Points in Each Event Men

What each team scored in each event

By Spencer Penland on SwimSwam

Mountain West Conference – Women

• Wednesday, February 19 – Saturday, February 22
• Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Central Time Zone)
• Defending Champion: San Diego State (1x) (results)
• Live results
• Championship Central
• Day 1 Results
• Day 2 Results
• Day 3 Results
• Day 4 Results

FINAL TEAM SCORES

1. San Diego State – 1463.5
2. Nevada – 1015.5
3. Wyoming – 903
4. UNLV – 875.5
5. Colorado State – 830.5
6. Fresno State – 810
7. Boise State – 807
8. New Mexico – 625.5
9. San Jose State – 490
10. Air Force – 389.5

AWARDS

• Swimmer of the Meet: Klara Thormalm (San Diego State)
• Diver of the Meet: Melissa Mirafuentes (Wyoming)
• Freshman of the Meet: Athena Clayson (Fresno State)

The San Diego State Aztecs took their 2nd conscutive Mountain West Conference title last night, accumulating the highest score in MWC Championships history (1463.5 points). The Aztecs also claimed the Swimmer of the Year award, with Klara Thormalm scoring a meet-leading 96 individual points. Thormalm made it a perfect run last night, winning her 3rd event of the meet. She took the 200 breast with a 2:08.30, breaking the Mountain West Champs record, Mountain West Conference reocrd, and San Diego State school record. The previous MW record was held by Nevada alum Yawen Li at 2:08.49 from 2015. Thormalm swam an excellent race, splitting 28.76, 32.61, 32.99, and 33.94 respectively by 50.

Klara’s sister Alma Thormalm led off the Aztecs 400 free relay with a field-leading 48.57, and was followed by Klara Thormalm in 49.14, putting San Diego State in the lead by 3.5 seconds at the halfway mark. SDSU wa brought home by Mia Ryan (49.61), and McKenna Meyer (49.92), touching the wall in a final time of 3:17.24, breaking the San Diego State school record by 2 seconds. Alma Thormalm swam slightly faster than her lead-off leg on the relay to win the individual 100 free. Thormalm swam a 48.55 to win the event, clocking a personal best and the 4th fastest time in conference history.

Fresno State freshman Athena Clayson, who was named Freshman of the Meet, won the 200 backstroke on Day 4 with a time of 1:55.58, setting a new personal best. Clayson beat out Wyoming’s Katelyn Blattner on the final 50, splitting 28.39 to Blattner’s 29.16 (1:56.13 final time for Blattner). Fresno started out the session hot, as they also took the first event of finals, the 1650 free. Junior Darina Khisiamova swam a 16:43.41 to take take gold.

Fresno State picked up yet another win on the session in the 200 fly, where senior Kimberly Harbert won a squeaker against New Mexico freshman Nicholle Toh. Toh got out a slight early lead, hitting the 100 mark in 56.35, with Harbert in tow at 56.62. Harbert held on better, however, coming home in 1:01.42, compared to Toh’s 1:01.97. Harbert won the race with a final time of 1:58.04, Toh was 1:58.42.

Wyoming’s Melissa Mirafuentes, who went on to win Diver of the Meet, took women’s Platform diving in a 1-2 punch for Wyoming. Mirafuentes tallied up a final score of 324.10, easily taking the top spot, with teammate Karla Contreras taking 2nd with a score of 302.80.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: San Diego State Wins Mountain West Champs, Highest Score in Conference History

By Robert Gibbs on SwimSwam

2020 Virginia High School League Class 6 State Championships

• February 22, 2020
• Jim McKay Natatorium, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
• SCY
• Results on Meet Mobile: “2020 VHSL Class 6 State Meet”

It was an incredibly fast weekend of racing, and not just at the many college conference championships. Plenty of high school state championships were held last weekend, including the Virginia VHSL Class 6 (largest schools) state championships in Fairfax, VA.

This meet never disappoints, and sure enough, fans were treated to a national public high school record in the 100 fly, as well as plenty of other big swims from top high schoolers like Torri Huske, Anthony Grimm, Grace Sheble, Anna Keating, and freshman Camille Spink.

You can check out the full recap by contributor Matt Rees here.

Girls 200 Medley Relay

Winner: Yorktown – 1:43.48

Boys 200 Medley Relay

Winner: Woodson – 1:32.07

Girls 200 Free

Winner: Camille Spink (Battlefield) – 1:46.18

Girls 200 IM

Winner: Grace Sheble (James River) – 1:57.03

Girls 50 Free

Winner: Torri Huske (Yorktown) – 21.83

Boys 50 Free

Winner: Anthony Grimm (Oakton) – 19.79

Girls 100 Fly

Winner: Torri Huske (Yorktown) – 50.69
*National Public High School Record*

Girls 100 Free

Winner: Camille Spink (Battlefield) – 49.18

Girls 100 Breast

Winner: Anna Keating (James Madison) – 59.76

Boys 100 Breast

Winner: Anthony Grimm (Oakton) – 53.86

We’re still catching up on a lot from this weekend, so more race videos to come.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Watch: Race Videos From VHSL Class 6 Champs, Including Huske’s Record 100 Fly

By Robert Gibbs on SwimSwam

2020 Virginia High School League Class 6 State Championships

• February 22, 2020
• Jim McKay Natatorium, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
• SCY
• Results on Meet Mobile: “2020 VHSL Class 6 State Meet”

Oakton high school junior Anthony Grimm burst onto the national scene last year when he threw down a blistering 20.87 medley relay leadoff at the 2019 VHSL Class 6 Championships, helping his team to a state title. He was at the top of the list in our “Way-Too-Early” recruit ranking for the high school class of 2021, and he’s verbally committed to the University of Texas Longhorns.

Grimm suffered a back injury earlier this season, so he was out of the water for a while, but this weekend, still won the 50 free in 19.79 and the 100 breast in 53.86 at this year’s state championships. Contributor Matt Rees spoke with Grimm at that meet, and Grimm talked about that back injury, his choice of walkout music, and what lies ahead for him this spring and beyond.

Interview courtesy of Matt Rees.

More about Grimm from Rees’ recap of the VHSL Class 6A State Champs:

As for Grimm, SwimSwam’s top ranked high school junior in the nation, the 50 free was his marquee race of the night. With an explosive start and smooth underwaters, he finished in 19.79, which puts him in a select corps of high school swimmers who have gone under 20 (see the race here), and only half a second away from Caeleb Dressel’s national high school record. While the time was slightly slower than Grimm swam at last year’s state championship meet (19.67), the University of Texas commit is coming off a back injury that led to him being out of the pool for two months recently, and he’s only been training again for the past six weeks.

Later in the meet, he swam the 100 breaststroke, and walked to the blocks with “Stronger” blaring on the sound system. With Kanye West crooning about “harder, faster, better, stronger,” the song fit the moment, and Grimm fed off the energy to set a new Virginia state record (53.86 – see the race here), just squeezing past the 53.90 mark set by Andrew Seliskar (last year’s NCAA swimmer of the year) in 2014. Grimm’s other swims of the night were a 21.25 backstroke leg to lead off Oakton’s 200 medley relay, which finished third, and a 44.75 split in the 400 free relay, which Oakton won.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Anthony Grimm: “I Love the Grind” (Video Interview)

By Karl Ortegon on SwimSwam

Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Swimming & Diving Championships – Men and Women

• Wednesday, February 19 – Saturday, February 22
• East Los Angeles College, Monterey Park, California (swim)/Marguerite Aquatics Center, Mission Viejo, California (Dive) (Pacific Time Zone)
• Teams: BYU, UC Santa Barbara, Hawaii, Cal Poly, Pacific, UC-Davis (women only), San Diego (women only), UCSD
• Defending Champion: Hawaii men (1x) & Hawaii women (3x) (results)
• Live results on Meet Mobile
• Live Video
• Championship Central
• Psych Sheets

Full meet results

MEN’S MEET

The Hawaii men won four individual swimming events on the last day of the MPSF championships.

Kane Follows started things off in the 200 back, posting a 1:42.56 to lead a 1-2 with teammate Tim Gallagher (1:44.18). In the 100 free, ‘aukai Lileikis dueled with 200 free champion Paul Rogers of Cal Poly. Lileikis was out quicker and held on, nabbing the win at 43.48 to Rogers’ 43.51.

Hawaii seniors David Springhetti and Olli Kokko went out on top in the 200 breast. The race was tight, but Springhetti took it in 1:56.10 to Kokko’s 1:56.32. Finally, Talon Lindquist took a close race in the 200 fly, going 1:46.24 to edge out UCSB freshman Dominic Falcon (1:46.65).

UCSB would grab an individual swimming win in the mile, as Joseph Lastelic clocked a 15:26.31 to get the win. In the 400 free relay, off of a 42.65 anchor from Justin Nguyen, UCSB posted a 2:54.89 to get the win there and finish the meet in second.

SCORES (FINAL)

1. Hawaii 726
2. UCSB 698
3. BYU 570
4. UC Davis 512
5. UCSD 434.5
6. Cal Poly 293
7. Pacific 234.5
8. San Diego 146

WOMEN’S MEET

Phoebe Hines of Hawaii capped off her senior MPSF meet individually with a win in the 1650 free. She wasn’t on her best, but she still won by over 20 seconds with a 16:13.43.

After winning the 100 of their respective stroke, Karolina Hajkova and Kionna Clayton turned in winning times in the respective 200s. Hajkova was 1:55.51 in the 200 back, just ahead of her teammate Anna Friedrich (1:55.65). Clayton, going 2:11.59 in the 200 breast, took down the meet record and edged out BYU’s standout freshman Katie McBratney (2:12.29).

UCSB’s Maelynn Lawrence posted a 2:00.22 to win the 200 fly, and BYU’s Gwen Gustafson took the 100 free in 49.29.

The 400 free relay saw the race come down to the final touch, as Hawaii’s Anna Kotonen was 49.48 to out-split UCSD’s Cody Hardagon (49.83). Hawaii took the event in 3:20.73, just .02 ahead of UCSD’s 3:20.75.

SCORES (FINAL)

1. Hawaii 895.5
2. BYU 729 3
3. UCSB 663
4. UCSD 484
5. Cal Poly 394.5
6. Pacific 253

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Hawaii Women Overcome Deficit to Join Men on Top on MPSF Final Night

By Robert Gibbs on SwimSwam

2020 Virginia High School League Class 6 State Championships

• February 22, 2020
• Jim McKay Natatorium, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
• SCY
• Results on Meet Mobile: “2020 VHSL Class 6 State Meet”

Yorktown High School junior Torri Huske set the pool on fire at yesterday’s VHSL Class 6 State Champs, winning the 50 free in 21.83 and then minutes later setting the national public high school record in the 100 fly for the second year in a row, this time with a 50.69. Contributor Matt Rees caught up with Huske to get her thoughts on the meet, as well as what lies ahead for her this spring.

More about Huske’s performance at this weekend’s state champs, courtesy of Rees:

The most anticipated race of the night was the girls 100 fly. At this meet last year, Huske set the swimming world on fire by uncorking a 51.21, which set a new national high school record in the event. She went on to win multiple gold medals at last summer’s World Junior Championship meet in Budapest. But a few weeks ago, Claire Curzan knocked close to a second off Huske’s high school record. Northern Virginia’s legions of dedicated swim fans, who have watched Huske’s rapid progress in the past few years, anxiously awaited seeing whether she could take the record back at the state meet.

Almost. While she lowered her public school record, going 50.69 – a time that would have placed sixth at last year’s NCAA championship meet – she was a few tenths off Curzan’s mark (see the race here). But the race came immediately after her blazing 21.83 in the 50 free (see the race here), which lowered her state record and came tantalizingly close to the national record (21.59) set by Gretchen Walsh two weeks ago. And Huske was swimming without much of a taper, having rested for just two days. In other words, Huske can swim faster – and almost certainly will.

She started the meet with a 23.52 butterfly leg in the 200 medley relay, which helped propel her Yorktown squad to victory (1:43.48 – see the race here), and she closed out the meet with a 48.43 leg in the 400 free relay, which Yorktown (alma mater of Olympic gold medal swimmer Tom Dolan and TV personality Katie Couric) also won (3:27.04). All in all, not a bad night.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Torri Huske: “I Love Racing” (Video Interview)

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

2020 Women’s Ivy League Swimming and Diving Championships

• Wednesday, February 19 – Saturday, February 22
• Katherine Moran Coleman Aquatics Center – Providence, RI (Eastern Time Zone)
• Prelims: 11:00 AM/Finals: 6:00 PM
• Defending Champion: Harvard (2x – results)
• Live results
• Fan Guide
• Championship Central

The youth was on display in Providence, Rhode Island this weekend at the 2020 Ivy League Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships. Princeton freshmen Ellie Marquardt and Nikki Venema and Harvard freshman Felicia Pasadyn all won three events to score the maximum number of points (96) in the race for High Point Swimmer of the Meet honors.

Marquardt began the meet with an Ivy Meet and pool record in the 500 free with 4:36.37. On Friday, she won the 1000 free, also with a pool record (9:34.71). Marquardt finished the weekend with a victory in the 1650 free, bettering the pool record by over 10 seconds with 16:06.96.

Venema swept the sprint free races. She won the 50 by .07, touching out classmate Amelia Liu with 22.41. The next day she won the 200 free with 1:45.31, just .08 shy of the pool record. In her final individual performance, Venema took down the pool record in the 100 free with 48.55.

Pasadyn won titles in the 200/400 IM and 200 back. She broke the pool record in the 200 IM on Day 2 going 1:55.88. It was another pool record for the freshman in the 400 IM the next day; she clocked a 4:08.47 for the victory. On the final day, Pasadyn crushed the Ivy Meet and pool record in the 200 back with 1:52.56. That was 1.5 seconds faster than her teammate, Samantha Shelton, had gone in 2019 when she established the meet mark. Shelton was runner-up this year.

Ellie Marquardt and Nicole Venema are two of three high-point swimmers of the meet! pic.twitter.com/r4rdagBcvw

— Princeton Swim/Dive (@PUCSDT) February 23, 2020

Harvard senior Miki Dahlke took home the Career High Point Swimmer award with 361.5 points.

Three-peat falls short for #HWSD, but the Crimson are proud new honors of many Ivy championship marks!

By Nick Pecoraro on SwimSwam

2020 WOMEN’S B1G CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Swimming & Diving
• When: Wednesday, February 19th to Saturday, February 22nd | Prelims 11am | Finals 6:30pm (6pm Saturday)
• Where: Campus Recreation & Wellness Center, Iowa City, Iowa (Central Time Zone)
• Defending Champion: Indiana University Hoosiers (1x) (results)
• Live Results
• Streaming: Big Ten Network
• Championship Central: here
• Fan Guide
• Estimated NCAA Invite Times
• NCAA ‘A’ Cuts

View Full 2020 Big Ten Women’s Championships Results Here

• Read about Ohio State’s historic win here.
• Read about the 2020 B1G meet’s scoring breakdown here.

FINAL TEAM STANDINGS

• CHAMPION: Ohio State – 1503.5
• RUNNER-UP: Michigan – 1306.5
• BRONZE: Indiana – 964
• FOURTH: Northwestern – 907.5
• 5th: Wisconsin – 734
• 6th: Minnesota – 617
• 7th: Purdue – 602
• 8th: Penn State – 517.5
• 9th: Iowa – 430
• 10th: Nebraska – 385
• 11th: Rutgers – 291
• 12th: Michigan State – 203
• 13th: Illinois – 193

The Ohio State Buckeyes’ 2020 Big Ten win in Iowa marked their first championship title since 1986. The program’s most recent title now ties them with Indiana for the 3rd-most Big Ten titles in history. Michigan remains first with 17 titles earned.

Heading over to this year’s Big Ten champions, Michigan’s Maggie MacNeil (50/100 free, 100 fly) and Wisconsin’s Beata Nelson (100/200 back, 200 IM) were the lone two swimmers to sweep all three of their individual events. Northwestern’s Calypso Sheridan was the only other swimmer to earn multiple individual wins thanks to her 400 IM and 200 breast titles.

Overall, the Michigan Wolverines earned the most 2020 Big Ten titles with 8 titles, despite taking second in the team scores. Next, Ohio State and Wisconsin both earned 4 wins while Northwestern captured 3 titles.

It’s noteworthy that while the Ohio State Buckeyes won the Big Ten title with only four wins, they were able to score 58 swims throughout the weekend.

The following stats were provided through the SwimSwam Swimulator.

By Reid Carlson on SwimSwam

2020 WOMEN’S ACC SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• When: Wednesday, February 19th to Saturday, February 22nd | Prelims 10:00 am | Finals 6:00 pm (1650 prelims Saturday at 4:00 pm)
• Where: Greensboro Aquatic Center, Greensboro, North Carolina (Eastern Time Zone)
• Defending Champion: North Carolina State University (NC State) (1x) (results)
• Streaming: ACC Network
  • Day 2 Finals
  • Day 3 Finals
  • Day 4 Finals
• Championship Central: Here
• Detailed Timeline: Here
• Psych Sheets: Here
• Live Results
• Saturday Finals Heat Sheet

Reported by Robert Gibbs.

Thursday

WOMEN’S 500 FREE – FINALS

• ACC meet record: 4:30.74 – Leah Smith, 2016
• ACC record: 4:28.90 – Leah Smith, 2017
• 2019 ACC Champion: Mallory Comerford (LOU) – 4:34.63

1. Paige Madden (Virginia) – 4:36.19
2. Kate Moore (NC State) – 4:39.54
3. Maddie Donohoe (Virginia) – 4:42.05

UVA junior Paige Madden dominated tonight, leading from wire-to-wire to capture the first individual swimming title of the meet. Madden won in 4:36.19, almost five seconds faster than her time from last year’s final, where she took 2nd to Mallory Comerford. That’s Madden’s 4th-fastest time of her career, and her 2nd-fastest time of the season; she went 4:34.64 at the Minnesota Invite in November.

There wasn’t much of a race for 2nd, either, as Kate Moore took 2nd by about 2.5 second, touching in 4:39.54 for NC State. Behind the two leaders, though, UVA freshman Maddie Donohoe and NC State senior Makayla Sargent dueled for 3rd, with Donohoe grabbing a podium spot, 4:42.05 to 4:42.82.

NC State had four swimmers in the A-final, but the other two were unable to move up from their 7th and 8th place finishes in prelims, taking the same spots in finals. Louisville, meanwhile, went 1-2 in the B-final, with Maria Sumida winning that race with a 4:44.27.

Friday

WOMEN’S 400 IM – FINALS

• ACC meet record: 4:04.21 – Tanja Kylliainen, 2015
• ACC record: 4:03.51 – Tanja Kylliainen, 2015
• 2019 ACC Champion: Kathleen Moore (NCS) – 4:05.24

1. Kate Moore (NC State) – 4:04.35
2. Ella Nelson (Virginia) – 4:04.36
3. Emma Muzzy (NC State) – 4:05.08

This race was a great example of how fun a 400 IM can be to watch, as the leaders changed from stroke to stroke. UVA junior Abby Richter was the early leader after going out in 55.01 on the fly leg, but defending champion Kate Moore moved just 0.08s ahead of Richter on the backstroke leg. UVA freshman Ella Nelson surged ahead after splitting 33.92/34.55 on breast. She continued to hold the lead after the first 50 of freestyle, but Moore charged home, out splitting Nelson 27.48 to 28.63 on the last 50, en route to winning by the narrowest of margins, 4:04.35 to 4:04.36.

Moore remains the only woman in NC State history to win an ACC title in this race. NC State has been part of ACC women’s swimming since it started in 1979.

Richter ended up 4th in 4:05.86, NC State sophomore Emma Muzzy took 3rd in 4:05.08, and NC State also got a 5th-place finish from Makayla Sargent, helping NC State narrow the point gap against UVA.

All eight women in the A-final improved on their time from this morning.

FINAL SCORES

1. Virginia – 1492.5
2. NC State – 1333
3. Louisville – 1105.5
4. North Carolina – 839
5. Notre Dame – 784
6. Duke – 675.5
7. Florida State – 555
8. Virginia Tech – 469
9. Georgia Tech – 407.5
10. Pitt – 359
11. Miami – 298
12. Boston College – 164

Read the full story on SwimSwam: NC State’s 400 IM Champ Kate Moore Didn’t Know What to Expect at ACCs (Video)

By Bailey Duran on SwimSwam

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Annie Osmun, a current high school senior from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, has committed to swim for Division II Colorado School of Mines. Osmun will graduate from Highlands Ranch High School in spring 2020 and join the Orediggers’ class of 2024.

Osmun is currently a year-round swimmer for Highland Ranch Aquatics and swims for her high school team Mountain Vista Swimming and Diving under coach Rob Nasser.

“The new coaching staff at Mines paired with the second-to-none engineering programs made my choice a no-brainer and I am looking forward to adding to the newly recharged swimming and diving program next fall!  Go Orediggers!!”

With her current best times, Osmun would have had multiple A-finals performances with Mines at the 2020 RMAC Championships. Osmun would have placed 2^nd in the 50 freestyle (24.01), 4^th in the 100 butterfly (57.05) and 5^th in the 200 IM (2:07.29).

Top SCY Times

• 50 freestyle – 24.01
• 100 freestyle – 51.42
• 200 freestyle – 1:56.08
• 100 backstroke – 58.23
• 100 butterfly – 57.05
• 200 IM – 2:07.29

At the RMAC Championships this year, Mines placed 2^nd as a team after a record-setting performance from their swimmers.

Osmun will begin her swimming career at the Colorado School of Mines beginning fall 2020.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.

About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour 

Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.

FFT SOCIAL

Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour

Facebook – @fitterandfastertour

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^{FFT is a SwimSwam partner.}

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Highland Ranch’s Annie Osmun Verbally Commits to Colorado School of Mines

By Bailey Duran on SwimSwam

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Avery Tucker, a current high school senior from Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, has committed to swim for Division II Barton College. Tucker will graduate from East Surry High School in spring 2020 and join the Bulldogs’ class of 2024.

Tucker is currently a year-round swimmer for North Piedmont Aquatic Club and the East Surry High School team. At the 2019 NCHSAA 1A/2A Regional Championships, Tucker placed 2^nd in the 100 freestyle and was part of two gold medal relays.

At this year’s NCHSAA Regional Championships, Tucker placed 2^nd in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:01.12).

“I am excited to announce my commitment to continue my education and swimming career to Barton College.  From the time that I stepped on campus, the team and coaches made me feel right at home.  I would like to thank my family, friends, and coaches for all of their support.  Go Bulldogs!”

With her current best times, Tucker would have had multiple finals performances with Barton College at the 2020 Bluegrass Mtn and Conference Carolinas Championships. Tucker would have placed 5^th in the 100 backstroke (59.47), 7^th in the 100 butterfly (1:00.17) and 8^th in the 100 freestyle (53.96).

Top SCY Times

• 50 freestyle – 25.19
• 100 freestyle – 53.96
• 100 backstroke – 59.47
• 200 backstroke – 2:07.21
• 100 butterfly – 1:00.17
• 200 IM – 2:14.07

At the Bluegrass Mtn and Conference Carolinas Championships this year, Barton College placed 3^rd as a team.

Tucker will begin her swimming career at Barton College beginning fall 2020.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.

About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour 

Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.

FFT SOCIAL

Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour

Facebook – @fitterandfastertour

Twitter – @fitterandfaster

^{FFT is a SwimSwam partner.}

Read the full story on SwimSwam: DII Barton College Gets Commitment From Sprinter Avery Tucker

By Bailey Duran on SwimSwam

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Carson Cross, a current high school senior from Galloway, Ohio, has committed to swim for Division II Lees-McRae College. Cross will graduate from Hilliard Bradley High School in spring 2020 and join the Bobcats’ class of 2024.

Cross is currently a year-round swimmer for the Ohio State Swim Club as well as his high school team at Hilliard Bradley.

During his freshman year of high school, Cross suffered a major concussion after a teammate accidentally dove on top of his head during swim practice. Due to the severity of his injury, Cross was out of the pool for months and missed all of short and long course season that year.

Cross’s year consisted of going to a sports neurologist on a routine basis, participating in weekly neuro-physical therapy, neuro-speech therapy, neuro-occupational therapy, massage therapy, functional rehabilitation, neurological counseling and sports medicine psychological counseling.

Despite the challenges he faced, he kept pushing forward because of his love for the sport. “Working hard to return to swimming taught me to appreciate the joys of swimming.  Pre-injury, there were days when I was sick of watching that back line on the bottom of the pool. Now I know how blessed I am to see it,” Cross said.

After freshman year, Cross, who swam and ran cross country, quit cross country to devote his time to swimming and to prepare for his collegiate career.

“Lees-McRae College has a unique combination of academic excellence, a strong swim program, friendly students, and numerous outdoor activities in a mountain setting. Coach Weddell cares about his swimmers and is committed to strengthening the swim program.”

With his current best times, Cross would have had a few finals performances at the 2020 Bluegrass Mtn and Conference Carolinas Champs. He would have placed 12^th in the 200 breaststroke (2:14.47) and 15^th in the 100 breaststroke (1:01.53).

Top SCY Times

• 50 freestyle – 23.80
• 100 freestyle – 52.37
• 200 freestyle – 1:52.80
• 100 breaststroke – 1:01.53
• 200 breaststroke – 2:14.47
• 100 butterfly – 55.58

As a team, the Lees-McRae Bobcats placed 4^th as a team at the Conference Carolinas Championships.

Cross will begin his swimming career at Lees-McRae College beginning fall 2020.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.

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Read the full story on SwimSwam: Carson Cross Commits to Swim for Lees-McRae College

By Lauren Neidigh on SwimSwam

2020 VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL CLASS 6 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

• February 21, 2020
• Jim McKay Natatorium, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
• Meet Info
• Results

FINAL TOP 5 TEAMS – GIRLS

1. First Colonial- 259
2. Briar Woods- 234
3. Mills E Goodwin- 184
4. Patrick Henry- 145
5. Mountain View- 139

FINAL TOP 5 TEAMS – BOYS

1. Douglas Freeman- 286
2. Mills E Godwin- 235
3. Thomas Jefferson- 226
4. Rock Ridge- 152
5. Riverside- 151

The First Colonial girls and Douglas Freeman boys took the team titles at the 2020 Virginia Class 5 State Championships. Several records fell and there were a handful of near misses. The First Colonial girls were just 5 hundredths away from the Class 5 Record in the 200 free relay. Sophia Knapp (leadoff- 24.52), Elle Caldow (23.68), Kiersten Godfrey (23.57), and Samantha Tadder (22.61) combined to win the race in 1:34.38.

Individually, Tadder blew away the Class 5 Record in the 500 free. She dropped 2 seconds in prelims to set the mark in 4:44.15. She was just off that as she won finals in 4:44.17. She took the record down by 5 seconds. Tadder, a junior, has another year to go after the overall Virginia State Record, which stands at a 4:43.43. Teammate Cadow set the Class 5 Record in the 200 free prelims with a 1:48.39 before winning the final in 1:49.44.

Tadder also placed 2nd in the 200 IM, taking 2 seconds off her best in 1:57.41. She battled closely with Mills Godwin’s Zoe Dixon, who set the overall Virginia State Record in 1:57.22. That record was formerly set by Torri Huske in 2019 at a 1:58.19. Dixon took it out with the lead and Tadder chased her down on the back half, but Dixon held on for the win. That was Dixon’s lifetime best by a second. (NOTE: Dixon’s overall Virginia State Record was broken the next day at the class 6 meet. She still owns the Class 5 Record).

Mills Godwin was half a second from the Class 5 Record in the boys’ and girls’ 200 medley relay. Jacob Oberle (back- 23.19), Zach Wassmer (breast- 27.75), DC Hellams (fly- 22.30), and Garrett McGovern (free- 20.32) combined to win the boys’ race in 1:33.56. The girls’ squad of Madison Cottrell (back- 25.45), Annabelle Young (breast- 28.75), Dixon (fly- 24.40), and Brooke Nelson (free- 24.83) won in 1:43.43. Mills Godwin was within half a second of the boys’ 200 free relay as well. Conrad Tan (leadoff- 22.47), Hellams (21.69), Oberle (21.16), and McGovern (20.37) won that one in 1:25.69.

There were 4 more Class 5 records set on the girls’ side. Briar Woods’ Abby Harter, a Virginia commit, first set the 100 fly record with a 52.68. That was her 2nd time under the mark, as she’d already broken it in prelims. She took down her own record in the 100 breast in prelims, clocking a 1:02.37 to break her record from 2019.

Teammate McKenzie McConagha set the 100 back record with her 53.44 in prelims. She was just off that as she won the title in 53.51. McConnagha also took silver in the 100 fly (54.17) behind Harter. J.R. Tucker’s Courtney Isley set a record in the 100 free as she won in 50.51. That took down the former mark of 50.79 set by Camryn Barry in 2017.

On the boys’ side, Rock Ridge’s Trace Wall clipped a tenth off the Class 5 Record in the 50 free as he won in 20.17. That broke Brandon Hamblin’s former mark of 20.27 from 2018. Wall swept the sprints with a 44.34 in the 100 free, taking down his own record from prelims.

Douglas S. Freeman’s Aidan Duffy contributed an individual double to his team’s win. Duffy put up a 1:50.61 to win the 200 IM, dropping 2 seconds from his best. He returned in the 100 breast, dropping a second in 56.96.

Additional Event Winners

• Boys 200 free: Nikolas Lee-Bishop, Deep Run, 1:38.61
• Girls 50 free: Brieanna Romney, Kecoughtan, 23.48
• Boys 100 fly: Jacob Oberle, Mills E. Godwin, 50.59
• Boys 500 free: Hunter Locher, Douglas S. Freeman, 4:30.17
• Boys 100 back: Walker Davis, AAlbermarle, 48.63
• Girls 400 free relay: First Colonial, 3:26.51
• Boys 400 free relay: Douglas S. Freeman, 3:08.87

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Dixon Breaks Huske’s Virginia State Record with 1:57 200 IM at Class 5 States

By Reid Carlson on SwimSwam

2020 WOMEN’S ACC SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• When: Wednesday, February 19th to Saturday, February 22nd | Prelims 10:00 am | Finals 6:00 pm (1650 prelims Saturday at 4:00 pm)
• Where: Greensboro Aquatic Center, Greensboro, North Carolina (Eastern Time Zone)
• Defending Champion: North Carolina State University (NC State) (1x) (results)
• Streaming: ACC Network
  • Day 2 Finals
  • Day 3 Finals
  • Day 4 Finals
• Championship Central: Here
• Detailed Timeline: Here
• Psych Sheets: Here
• Live Results
• Saturday Finals Heat Sheet

NC State sophomore Kylee Alons had a very successful 2020 ACC Championships. Individually, Alons won the 50 freestyle, took 2nd in the 100 free, and nabbed 3rd in the 100 backstroke.

Though Alons raced only sprint free and back individually at ACCs, she believes her best performance came in the 400 medley relay on Friday night. Swimming the butterfly leg, Alons split a 50.34, holding off 100 fly champion Kate Douglass from Virginia who was only narrowly faster with a 50.29 split. Other than Louisville’s Grace Oglesby who split a 51.10, nobody else in the field clocked a 100 fly split faster than 52 seconds.

Reported by Robert Gibbs.

Thursday

WOMEN’S 50 FREE – FINALS

• ACC meet record: 21.54 – Caitlin Cooper, 2018
• ACC record: 21.48 – Caroline Baldwin, 2017
• 2019 ACC Champion: Morgan Hill (UVA) – 21.68

1. Kylee Alons (NC State) – 21.63
2. Morgan Hill (Virginia) – 21.76
3. Ky-lee Perry (NC State) – 21.78

This turned out to be the same top three finishers as last year, albeit in a complete different order. NC State sophomore Kylee Alons took the win today in 21.63 after finishing 3rd last year in 21.81.

For the second year in a row, UVA’s Morgan Hill and NC State’s Ky-lee Perry touched at almost exactly the same time. Once again, it was Hill who just got her hand on the wall first, out-touching Perry 21.76 to 21.78 tonight. Last year, Hill out-touched Perry 21.68 to 21.69 for the win.

Louisville earned some big points here, as Casey Fanz matched her prelims time of 21.89 for 4th, Christina Regenauer took 5th in 22.10, and Arina Openysheva touched 7th in 22.26. Virginia Tech’s Joelle Verbeb shaved off a bit of time to take 6th in 22.20. Duke senior Alyssa Marsh appeared to have the lead early, but seemed to have an issue coming off the turn, ending up 8th in 22.30.

UVA freshman Lexi Cuomo knocked almost half a second off of her prelims time to win the B-final in 22.00.

Friday

WOMEN’S 100 BACK – FINALS

• ACC meet record: 50.74 – Courtney Bartholomew, 2016
• ACC record: 50.01 – Courtney Bartholomew, 2014
• 2019 ACC Champion: Elise Haan (NCS) – 51.43

1. Katharine Berkoff (NC State) – 51.64
2. Caroline Gmelich (Virginia) – 51.88
3. Kylee Alons (NC State) – 52.17

NC State freshman Katharine Berkoff earned her first individual ACC title with a 51.64 tonight. That was a bit off her 51.21 from this morning, but still enough to beat Virginia junior Caroline Gmelich, who took 2nd with a 51.88. Gmelich had a solid evening, taking 9th in the 100 fly with a new personal best time of 52.46 before tying her personal best in this event

The Wolfpack went 1-3 in the event, as Kylee Alons picked up 3rd with a 52.17, shaving another 0.16s off her personal best time of 52.33 from this morning.

WOMEN’S 400 MEDLEY RELAY – TIMED FINALS

• ACC meet record: 3:28.25 – Virginia, 2016
• ACC record: 3:26.42 – Virginia, 2015

1. NC State, 3:27.22
2. Virginia, 3:28.17
3. Louisville, 3:31.11

Berkoff got NC State off to a fast start, swimming three-tenths faster than she individually, and staking NC State to nearly a one-second lead immediately. Hansson extended the Wolfpack’s lead with a 57.9 breast split, putting the matter essentially out of reach. Alons essentially matched 100 fly champion Douglass on the fly leg, 50.34 to 50.29. Hill did her best to close the gap, anchoring in 46.82, but Ky-lee Perry‘s 47.63 was more than enough, as NC State won in 3:27.22, setting a new meet record.

Virginia touched 2nd in 3:28.17, and Louisville was also under the NCAA ‘A’ cut with a 3:31.11.

UNC, Florida, and Notre Dame were all under the NCAA ‘B’ cut of 3:33.78.

Saturday

WOMEN’S 100 FREE – FINALS

• ACC meet record: 46.57 – Mallory Comerford, 2019
• ACC record: 46.20 – Mallory Comerford, 2018
• 2019 ACC champion: Mallory Comerford (Louisville) – 46.57

1. Morgan Hill (Virginia) – 47.47
2. Kylee Alons (NC State) – 47.73
3. Casey Fanz (Louisville) – 47.97

There was arguably no clear favorite coming into tonight in this event, and heading into the final wall, it looked like the winner could be one of several different woman. But UVA senior Morgan Hill, last year’s runner up, come off that last wall strong and stormed home to take the win in 47.47, just 0.01s off her lifetime best from last year’s final.

NC State sophomore Kylee Alons broke the 48 second barrier for the first time to take 2nd in 47.73, while Louisville senior Casey Fanz essentially matched her time from this from morning to take 3rd in 47.97. Louisville also got a 6th place finish from Arina Openysheva (48.37).

UNC got 4th and 8th place finishes from Caroline Hauder (48.18) and Emma Cole (48.78). That’s a new lifetime best for Hauder, shaving a little over 0.2s off her previous best from this morning.

Duke’s Alyssa Marsh took 5th in 48.29, while UVA freshman Lexi Cuomo shaved another couple tenths off her previous personal best from this morning to take 7th in 48.46.

NC State Ky-lee Perry, who was 3rd last year, but missed the A-final, won the B-final with a 48.30.

WOMEN’S 400 FREE RELAY – TIMED FINALS

• ACC meet record: 3:09.45 – Virginia, 2018
• ACC record: 3:09.45 – Virginia, 2018
• 2019 ACC champion: Louisville – 3:11.63

1. Virginia – 3:10.57
2. Louisville – 3:11.57
3. NC State – 3:13.00

Virginia wrapped up the ACC champs with a dominant showing in the 400 free relay. The Cavaliers used a pair of freshman for the front half; Kate Douglass got things rolling with a 47.77 leadoff, then handed it over to Lexi Cuomo, who split 47.84. At that point, the upperclassmen took over. Paige Madden, who swept the distance events, split a 48.04 that’s not at all shabby for someone just won the mile in 15:50, then Morgan Hill stormed home with a 46.92 split as UVA won in 3:10.57. That’s about a second off of the meet and conference record the Cavaliers set two years ago, but at the moment, that appears to be the fastest time in the NCAA this season (although that could change soon this evening).

NC State was actually in the lead at the halfway point after getting a 47.97 leadoff by Kylee Alons and a 47.48 2nd leg by Ky-Lee Perry. Sophie Hansson split 48.87 and Julia Poole anchored in 48.68 as the Wolfpack ended up 3rd in 3:13.00.

The Louisville sprint crew has been pushing Virginia and NC State all meet, and they took 2nd in 3:11.57. Arina Openysheva opened it up in 48.42, then Casey Fanz ripped a 47.22, the 2nd-fastest split of the day. Christina Regenauer went 48.19 on the 3rd leg, and Lainey Visscher brought it home in 47.74 as Louisville touched in 3:11.57.

All three top teams were under the NCAA ‘A’ cut, and UNC was under the ‘B’ cut with a time of 3:14.64.

Final scores are now in, and UVA has won with 1492.5 points, the most in ACC Conference Championships history.

FINAL SCORES

1. Virginia – 1492.5
2. NC State – 1333
3. Louisville – 1105.5
4. North Carolina – 839
5. Notre Dame – 784
6. Duke – 675.5
7. Florida State – 555
8. Virginia Tech – 469
9. Georgia Tech – 407.5
10. Pitt – 359
11. Miami – 298
12. Boston College – 164

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Kylee Alons Thinks 100 Fly Split in 400 MR Was Her Best Race at ACCs (Video)

By Lauren Neidigh on SwimSwam

2020 VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL CLASS 4 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

• February 22, 2020
• Hosted by SwimRVA
• Meet Info
• Results

FINAL TOP 5 TEAMS – GIRLS

1. Monacan- 276
2. Blacksburg- 250
3. Jamestown- 195
4. Menchville- 194
5. Dominion- 171

FINAL TOP 5 TEAMS – BOYS

1. Blacksburg- 303
2. Salem- 209
3. Monacan- 189
4. Jamestown- 178
5. Jefferson Forest- 164

The Monacan girls and Blacksburg boys brought home the team titles at the 2020 Virginia Class 4 State Championships. Monacan’s Kelsey Peel and Angela Ritchie each contributed an individual double to the team’s win. Peel swept the sprints, putting up a 24.03 in the 50 free and a 52.19 in the 100 free. Ritche also took a freestyle win with a 1:52.07 in the 200 free. She later won the 100 back in 56.40.

Salem’s Nick Lawson, an NC State commit, was the standout swimmer on the boys’ side as he set 2 Class 4 Records. In the 200 free, Lawson put up a 1:38.71 to clear the former mark of 1:39.26 set by Brennen Doss in 2018. He also broke Doss’ 2018 record in the 500 free, blowing it away by nearly 4 seconds in 4:24.87.

The Salem boys were within hundredths of the Class 4 Record in both free relays. In the 200 free relay, Ben James (leadoff- 21.96), Logan DeWalt (21.25), Boone Fleenor (21.79), and Lawson (21.03) combined for a 1:26.03, missing the mark by 3 hundredths. They were 9 hundredths away from the 400 free relay record as Fleenor (leadoff- 48.12), James (48.45), DeWalt (47.45), and Lawson (45.88) won in 3:09.90.

Jamestown’s Austin Smith set the Class 4 Record in prelims of the 50 free with his 20.84. It was Park View’s Kyle Johnson, however, who took the title as he just missed the record in 20.88. Smith went a 21.06 for silver in the final. Johnson went on to win the 100 fly as well in 49.89. Smith was the 100 free champion in 46.06.

The Dominion girls were half a second away from the 200 medley relay Class 4 Record. Ashley Bogushefsky (back- 28.09), Natalie Schlemmer (breast- 30.31), Rachel Schlemmer (fly- 25.13), and Kelli McMillan (free- 24.28) won the race in 1:47.81.

Additional Event Winners

• Boys 200 medley relay: Grafton, 1:36.76
• Girls 200 IM: Isabel Marstellar, Menchville, 2:05.07
• Boys 200 IM: Andrew Blusiewicz, Dominion, 1:51.34
• Girls 100 fly: Kyleigh Tankard, Grafton, 55.16
• Girls 500 free: Jessie Wallin, Monacan, 4:56.88
• Girls 200 free relay: Menchville, 1:38.13
• Boys 100 back: Alexander Franklin, Grafton, 50.03
• Girls 100 breast: Shelby Gerving, Tuscarora, 1:04.93
• Boys 100 breast: Cole Younger, Menchville, 57.10
• Girls 400 free relay: Monacan, 3:34.20

Read the full story on SwimSwam: NC State Commit Lawson Breaks 200 FR, 500 FR Class 4 Records at Virginia States

By Spencer Penland on SwimSwam

2020 SUMMIT LEAGUE SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS – MEN & WOMEN

• Wednesday, February 19 – Saturday, February 22
• Midco Aquatic Center, Sioux Falls, SD (Central Time Zone)
• Defending Champion: Denver women (6x) & Denver men (6x) (results)
• Live results
• Live Video 
• Championship Central
• Day 1 Results
• Day 2 Results
• Day 3 Results
• Day 4 Results

FINAL TEAM STANDINGS

WOMEN

1. Denver – 1147.5
2. South Dakota – 656.5
3. South Dakota State – 603.5
4. Nebraska, Omaha – 581
5. Eastern Illinois – 233
6. Western Illinois – 176.5

MEN

1. Denver – 1042.5
2. South Dakota – 672.5
3. South Dakota State – 615.5
4. Eastern Illinois – 363
5. Western Illinois – 252
6. Valparaiso – 216

AWARDS

Men

• Championship Swimming MVP – Adriel Sanes, Denver
• Championship Diving MVP – Mitch Raihle, South Dakota State
• Newcomer of the Championship – Riley Babson, Denver
• Diving Coach of the Year – Elyse Brouillette, South Dakota State
• Swimming Coach of the Year – Alicia Hicken-Franklin, Denver

Women

• Championship Swimming MVP – Josie Valette, Denver
• Championship Diving MVP – Sammy Walker, Denver
• Newcomer of the Championship – Natalie Arky, Denver
• Diving Coach of the Year – Aaron D’Addario, Denver
• Swimming Coach of the Year – Alicia Hicken-Franklin, Denver

Denver took home their 7th consecutive men’s and women’s Summit League titles this week, winning both the men’s and women’s meets decsively. The Denver women swept the swimming events over the course of the meet, while Denver’s men only dropped one swimming event – the 100 IM. As of the conclusion of this meet, Denver’s men and women have now won a combined 152 of the last 154 events swum at the Summit League Championships. The Pioneer women broke the Summit League conference record for highest scoring team performance at a conference championship meet with their score of 1,147.5 points. The previous record was held by Oakland, who are now members of the Horizon League, with a score of 1,093 points.

One of Denver’s top performances on the final day came from diver Sammy Walker, who won the women’s 3 meter with championship record of 320.15. With that performance, Walker shattered the previous championship record of 301.40, which was held by Oakland’s Tricia Grant from 2013. The score was also a Denver school, record. Walker had also won the 1 meter diving earlier in the meet, earning her Diver of the Meet honors at the conclusion of the meet.

Another conference championship record fell at the hands of Denver senior Josie Valette in the women’s 200 fly. Valette swam a 1:57.79, narrowly breaking her own Summit League Championship Record of 1:57.91. Valette also holds the overall conference record and Denver school record with her personal best of 1:57.01 from 2019. Senior teammate Kylie Cronin came in a close 2nd behind Valette, swimming a lifetime best of 1:58.24. Cronin had already won an event earlier in the meet, the women’s 100 IM. She swam a 56.79 to win the race for the 3rd year in a row. Cronin holds a personal best of 56.29, which she swam to win the title in 2018. The conference record is held by Bailey Andison (54.41), who swam her first 3 years at Denver before transferring to IU for her senior season last year.

Valette was also a member of the winning 400 free relay, teaming up with Aysia Leckie, Erika Remington, and Sarah Lingen to swim a 3:22.66. Valette led the relay off in a field-leading 49.71, and was followed by splits of 50.56, 51.88, and 50.51 from Leckie, Remington, and Lingen respectively. Aysia Leckie was the women’s 100 free champion from earlier in the night, swimming a 50.57 to lead a 1-2-3 charge by the Pioneers. Behind Leckie were other members of the relay Sarah Lingen (50.85) and Erika Remington (51.25) in 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Denver freshman Natalie Arky picked up a win in the women’s 200 back with the 5th fastest time in Summit League history. Arky swam a 1:55.55 to win the race by a huge margin, touching as the only swimmer under 2:00. The conference record is held by star Denver alum Sam Corea at 1:50.87. DenverSenior Andi Johnston defended her title in the women’s mile, swimming a 16:53.51. The time was off her season best of 16:50.79, and off her winning time of 16:52.31 from last year.

Denver junior Charlotte Simon took the women’s 200 breast with a 2:15.65, with junior teammate Emily Vandenberg coming in 2nd with a 2:16.57. Simon was out much faster, hitting the 100 mark in 1:03.40, while Vandenberg was 1:05.22. Simon had won the event the past 2 years, clocking a 2:13.84 in 2019, and 2:15.17 in 2018.

The top swim on the men’s side came from sophomore Adriel Sanes, who broke the overall Summit League record in the 200 breast. Sanes swam a 1:55.70, touching as the only swimmer in the field under 2:00, and breaking the previous Summit League record and Denver school record of 1:56.24, which were both held by Sanes. The 200 breast was another event where Denver was dominant, with Cy Jager taking 2nd in 2:00.49, and Harrison Fudge taking 3rd in 2:01.54. Denver’s Jessen Blayze also tied for 4th with Western Illinois’ Connor Owens at 2:03.49.

Denver juniors Cameron Auchinachie and Sid Farber continued to be a force in the men’s sprint events. Auchinachie broke Farber’s championship record to win the event in 42.63, with Farber coming in a close 2nd (42.72). Farber was actually under his own championship record as well, which stood at 42.78 from last year. The pair split exactly the same on the 2nd 50, posting a 22.23 on that lap. Auchinachie was out ever so slightly faster, 20.40 on the 1st 50 to Farber’s 20.49. Auchinachie holds the overall Summit League record and Denver school record at 41.81 from last year’s NCAAs. This was yet another event where the Pioneers put on a show, with senior Hugo Sykes coming in 3rd with a 44.28, and sophomore Mahns Darragh taking 4th with a 44.56.

Auchinachie, Farber, and Sykes teamed up with Adriel Sanes to win the men’s 400 free decisively. Auchinachie led off in 43.11, with Farber following in 42.74, then Sykes in 44.23, and Sanes anchoring in 45.75 for a final time of 2:55.83. The time was good for the title by over 5 seconds, but was well off Denver’s season best of 2:51.99. Their season best stands as an NCAA B cut.  Adding up the top 4 Denver swimmers from the men’s 100 free (Auchinachie, Farber, Sykes, and Darragh) would have put the Pioneers at 2:54.19 in the relay, and that’s with the added benefit of 3 relay starts.

Denver junior Trent Panzera won a tight race with senior teammate Graham Walker in the men’s 200 fly, with Panzera swimming a 1:49.74 to Walker’s 1:49.80. Walker went out way faster than Panzera, splitting 22.96 and 27.12 on the first 2 50s for a 50.08 on the first 100. Panzera was 51.86 on the first 100 off 23.82 and 28.04 50 splits. They split very similarly on the 3rd 50, with Panzera swimming a 28.90, compared to 28.86 for Walker. It was the last 50 where Panzera made his move, coming home in 28.98, with Wlaker splitting 30.86, and Panzera getting the touch.

Denver sophomore Patrick Groters was dominant in the men’s 200 backstroke, swimming a personal best 1:42.20 for the 6th fastest time in conference history. Groters swam the fastest split in the field on all 4 50s, splitting 24.00, 25.50, 26.34, and 26.36 respectively by 50.

Denver freshman Riley Babson won a very tight race with his teammates in the men’s 1650, leading a 1-2-3-4 charge by the Pioneers with a final time of 15:2891. babson is ensuring Denver’s distance squad will stay alive in the new future, as he led Denver senior Jesse Haraden (15:28.92), senior Colin Gilbert (15:29.03), and junior Nathan Rock (15:46.26). Babson was off his season best of 15:21.73.

The only event Denver didn’t win at this meet came on Day 4, where South Dakota’s Jacob Leichner took the men’s 100 IM in a time of 50.77. The sophomore led the field by nearly a second, with South Dakota teammate Elbert Chuang coming in 2nd with a 51.72. Denver didn’t have any swimmer compete in the men’s 100 IM.

Day 4 Champions:

• Women’s 1650 Free – Andi Johnston (Denver) – 16:53.51
• Men’s 1650 Free – Riley Babson(Denver) – 15:28.92
• Women’s 3-Meter Dive – Sammy Walker(Denver) – 320.15
• Women’s 100 IM – Kylie Cronin(Denver)– 56.79
• Men’s 100 IM – Jacob Leichner (SDSU)– 50.77
• Women’s 200 Back – Natalie Arky(Denver) – 1:55.55
• Men’s 200 Back – Patrick Groters(Denver) – 1:42.20
• Women’s 100 Free – Aysia Leckie(Denver) – 50.57
• Men’s 100 Free – Cameron Auchinachie(Denver)– 42.63
• Women’s 200 Breast – Charlotte Simon(Denver) – 2:15.65
• Men’s 200 Breast – Adriel Sanes(Denver) – 1:55.70
• Women’s 200 Fly – Josie Valette(Denver) – 1:57.79
• Men’s 200 Fly – Trent Panzera(Denver) – 1:49.74
• Women’s 400 Free Relay – (Denver) Josie Valette, Aysia Leckie, Erika Remington, Sarah Lingen– 3:22.66
• Men’s 400 Free Relay – (Denver) Cameron Auchinachie, Sid Farber, Hugo Sykes, Adriel Sanes – 2:55.83

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Denver Wins 7th Consecutive Summit League Titles, 4 Records Fall on Day 4

By Reid Carlson on SwimSwam

2020 WOMEN’S ACC SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• When: Wednesday, February 19th to Saturday, February 22nd | Prelims 10:00 am | Finals 6:00 pm (1650 prelims Saturday at 4:00 pm)
• Where: Greensboro Aquatic Center, Greensboro, North Carolina (Eastern Time Zone)
• Defending Champion: North Carolina State University (NC State) (1x) (results)
• Streaming: ACC Network
  • Day 2 Finals
  • Day 3 Finals
  • Day 4 Finals
• Championship Central: Here
• Detailed Timeline: Here
• Psych Sheets: Here
• Live Results

Notre Dame freshman Coleen Gillilan had a successful ACC Championships, and certainly turned some heads on Saturday with a 3rd-place finish in the 200 fly, clocking a 1:54.79 behind ACC veterans Grace Oglesby of Louisville and Abby Richter of UVA.

Though the 200 fly was Gillilan’s only podium finish, she also placed 6th in the 200 IM (1:57.29; 1:56.69 in prelims) and 8th in the 100 fly (52.86; 52.40 in prelims). Gillilan also aided Notre Dame in its 4th-place finish in the 800 freestyle relay and its 6th-place finish in the 200 medley relay where she swam breaststroke, splitting a 27.28. Gillilan also swam breaststroke on the 400 medley relay Friday evening in which Notre Dame placed 6th with a 1:00.27.

Reported by Robert Gibbs.

Saturday

WOMEN’S 200 FLY – FINALS

• ACC meet record: 1:52.81 – Grace Oglesby, 2019
• ACC record: 1:50.61 – Kelsi Worrell, 2016
• 2019 ACC champion: Grace Oglesby (Louisville) – 1:52.81

1. Grace Oglesby (Louisville) – 1:53.70
2. Abby Richter (Virginia) – 1:54.09
3. Coleen Gillilan (Notre Dame) – 1:54.79

Up to this point, NC State or Virginia had won every single swimming event, but that finally changed tonight as Louisville senior Grace Oglesby defended her title. She was about a second off of her time from last year, but still 0.39s ahead of the runner-up, Abby Richter of Virginia, who touched in 1:54.09.

Virginia had a total of three women in the A-final, and Jessica Nava and Julia Menkhaus took 4th and 6th in 1:54.81 and 1:55.87. Louisville’s Alena Kraus, last year’s 3rd place finisher, took 5th in 1:55.70.

Notre Dame’s Coleen Gillian wrapped up a strong freshman season with a bronze medal here with a time of 1:54.79. Teammate Luciana Thomas took 7th in 1:56.17, while UNC’s Bryanna Cameron rounded out the field with a 1:57.15.

FINAL SCORES

1. Virginia – 1492.5
2. NC State – 1333
3. Louisville – 1105.5
4. North Carolina – 839
5. Notre Dame – 784
6. Duke – 675.5
7. Florida State – 555
8. Virginia Tech – 469
9. Georgia Tech – 407.5
10. Pitt – 359
11. Miami – 298
12. Boston College – 164

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Notre Dame Freshman Coleen Gillilan on ACCs: “Swimming is just the job” (Video)

By Spencer Penland on SwimSwam

2020 PATRIOT LEAGUE SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS – MEN AND WOMEN

• Wednesday, February 19 – Saturday, February 22
• US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland (Eastern Time Zone)
• Defending Champion: Navy men (16x) & Navy women (8x) (results – 1, 2, 3, 4)
• Live results
• Live Video
• Championship Central
• Full Results (PDF)

FINAL TEAM STANDINGS

Women’s Team Scores
1. Navy – 927
2. Bucknell – 533
3. Lehigh – 506
4. Army West Point – 471
5. Boston U. – 401
6. Loyola – 302
7. Colgate – 168
8. American – 135
9. Holy Cross – 120
10. Lafayette – 88

Men’s Team Scores
1. Navy – 1,095.5
2. Army West Point – 721
3. Loyola – 391
4. Bucknell – 342.5
5. Boston U. – 317.5
6. Lehigh – 312.5
7. Lafayette – 151
8. American – 127
9. Holy Cross – 97
10. Colgate – 96

The Navy Men’s and Women’s swimming and diving teams each took the Patriot League conference titles home this week, taking both titles by significant margins. The titles mark the 17th straight for the Navy men and the 9th straight for the Navy women.

Luke Johnson, a Navy junior kicked off the men’s session by taking the 1650 in record fashion. Johnson swam a lifetime best 14:52.11 to break the Patriot League meet record, conference record, and Navy school records. The previous Patriot League Records were 11 years old, standing at 14:58.72 by Erik Hunter from 2009. Johnson swam an excellent race, splitting 4:29.81 on the 1st 500, 4:29.65 on the 2nd 500, 4:32.48 on the 3rd 500, and 1:20.17 on the final 150. This was Johnson’s 3rd title in a row in the mile. He swam a 15:05.59 to win in 2018, and 14:58.95 to win in 2019. With his time this year, Johnson stands a chance of receiving an invitation to the NCAA Championships. His time currently stands 15th in the NCAA this year through the first week of conference championships. Around 30 swimmers will receive invites in the event.

Another Navy junior, Dominick Wallace, won the men’s 200 backstroke in a new conference record of 1:42.88. Wallace broke the meet and overall conference records, which stood at 1:43.14 from Chris Devlin in 2016, as well as the Navy school record. Wallace bested defending champion Caleb Mauldin, a Navy sophomore, who swam a 1:44.38 for 2nd. Navy also picked up 3rd in the event, with junior Billy Cadigan swimming a 1:44.49.

Navy junior Micah Oh led a 1-2 finish by Navy in the men’s 200 fly. Oh swam a 1:44.97, with sophomore Ethan Tack in tow with a 1:45.80. Oh won the event last year as well, showing stellar improvement this year. Last year, Oh swam a 1:47.31 to take the title, marking a 2.34 second improvement this year. Bradley Buchter, Navy’s star senior diver, won the men’s 3 meter diving, breaking his own Navy school, pool, Patriot League Championship, and Patriot League conference records. All 4 records stood at 430.10 from the 2017 Patriot League Champs. This year, Buchter posted a 456.90, eviscerating the his own records. With his victory in the event, Buchter completed a perfect campaign in the Patriot League diving events. He won 1 meter diving all 4 years of his NCAA career, as well as 3 meter.

Navy capped the meet with a win in the men’s 400 free relay, where Daniel Cook (44.44), Matthew Fadel (43.83), Jack Dunworth (44.20), and Dominick Wallace (42.97) teamed up for a 2:55.43.

Army posted a 1-2 punch in the men’s 100 free, with junior Billy Webber taking the title in 44.20, and Nate Hein coming in 2nd with a 44.30. Hein was the 2-time defending champion in the event, having swum a 44.01 to win in 2018, and 43.77 to win in 2019. Army sophomore Evan Zhang won the men’s 200 breast with a 1:55.80, defending his title. Last year, Zhang swam a 1:55.65 to win the event.

Navy sophomore Martina Thomas was the winner of the women’s 100 free, as well as a member of the winning Navy 400 free relay. Thomas swam a 49.69 to win the title in the women’s 100 free, beating out Lehigh’s Ann Foley (49.82) and Payton Miles (50.02). Miles got out to an early lead, flipping in 23.72 at the 50, but Thomas ran her down on the back half of the race. The title marks Thomas’ 2nd in a row. Last year, she won the race with a 49.72.

Thomas anchored Navy’s 400 free relay in 49.12, marking the 2nd fastest split in the field. The Navy relay was led off by Ali Kozlina in 50.67, with Sarah Sorensen following in 49.60, and Erin Scudder going next with a 50.12. Navy clocked a 3:19.51 to beat out Lehigh, who swam a 3:19.98. Payton Miles swam the fastest split in the field, anchoring the Lehigh relay in 49.07.

Navy sophomore Sydney Harrington won the women’s 200 fly in a new meet record of 1:55.24, beating out defending champion Delaney Walz, a Navy senior. Walz was the previous meet record holder with her winning time from last year’s championships – 1:57.34. Wlaz had won the event at the Patriot League Championships the past 3 years. Harrington holds the conference and Navy school records with her personal best 1:54.47.

Army freshman Gillian Burch won a tight race to take the women’s breaststroke title. Burch swam a 2:14.30, out-touching Loyola’s Emma Schouten by 0.07 seconds. Schouten took the early lead, splitting 30.05 and 33.89 on the first 2 50s, while Burch split 30.68 and 33.99. Burch then came home in 1:09.63 on the back half of the race, while Schouten swam 1:10.43 coming home. The event was wide open this year after Navy star Lauren Barber graduated last Spring. Barber swept the 200 breast during her career, winning the event the past 4 years.

Navy senior Lauren Miller nearly broke her own meet record en route to winning the women’s 200 back. Miller swam a 1:55.22, coming in just off her meet record of 1:55.14 from last year. The win marked Miller’s 3rd straight in the event. Navy also picked up 2nd and 3rd, with junior Ashley Boddiford (1:57.70) and freshman Elly Deas (1:59.57).

Navy senior Erin Scudder won the women’s mile, swimming a 16:28.26 to beat defending champion Maddie Hartigan of Bucknell (16:31.56). Hartigan took the event with a 16:44.99 last year, marking a huge improvement for the sophomore. Bucknell freshman Sabrina Vumbacco was also under the winning time from last year, taking 3rd with a 16:44.71.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Bradley Buchter Shatters Own Patriot League Record, Navy M&W Win Titles

By SwimSwam Partner Content on SwimSwam

Courtesy: Big Blue Swim School

CHICAGO– Big Blue Swim School, one of the nation’s fastest-growing swim school franchises, is wrapping up its first year of franchise sales with 66 units sold. Big Blue Swim School has received recognition as a Top 100 Game Changer according to Franchise Dictionary Magazine, expanded its leadership team and further developed its stellar local marketing support. Fueled by its incredible momentum in 2019, the brand is well on its way to signing 150 pools by 2021 and becoming the dominant swim lesson brand in America.

Since last year, Chicago-based Big Blue has staked its claim within the lucrative $3 billion swim school industry, establishing an ever-growing footprint with signed franchise agreements in strategic markets including Chicago, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Raleigh, and Austin, as well as in the states of New Jersey, Florida, Washington, Virginia, Maryland, and South Carolina. The brand has also signed leases in Colorado, Virginia, and Maryland, and is nearing an Atlanta area opening this spring.

“As an emerging franchise brand, we accomplished the 50-units sold mark in less than a year,” said founder and U.S. competitive swimmer Chris DeJong. “Because of our strong leadership team, proprietary enterprise technology and consumer focused differentiators in the space, we know that our 2021 goal of 150 locations is completely achievable. Every Dive-in Day brings in  five to ten buying groups, and they’re typically purchasing multiple units, so we’re feeling confident about reaching our growth goals.”

In March of 2019, Big Blue opened a new pool in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago, marking the company’s best opening and strongest first month sales. The company attributes that success to its New Pool Opening process. This proven weekly process includes a robust marketing plan ensuring that each location will operate on day one like it is year five.

Last year also saw an expansion of Big Blue’s leadership team with the hiring of former PepsiCo exec Brooke Mallick and franchise industry veteran Justin Waltz to lead marketing and operations, respectively.

“Brooke and Justin have hit the ground running, focusing on developing strong marketing and operations programs for our franchise partners as we grow the brand,” said CEO Chris Kenny. “The goal of every person on our corporate team is to provide hands-on support to our franchise partners to get them to profitability more quickly so they can open more locations to provide families across the country with  a valuable life skill.”

In addition, the brand has built an impressive board of directors, including franchise industry veterans like 2020 International Franchise Association Chairperson and FASTSIGNS CEO Catherine Monson, who are helping position the brand for explosive success with strategic guidance and operational expertise.

Big Blue’s white-hot franchise growth can be attributed to semi-absentee franchise partners looking to maximize their time and their capital. Among other consumer-facing features, the company’s cloud-based enterprise system, LessonBuddy is designed so franchise partners can operate successful pools without needing a daily presence.

Plus, Big Blue leverages its team of real estate professionals to assist in site selection, construction, and facilities management. The team uses market knowledge and data-driven real estate assessment methodology to identify prime locations in trade areas across the country that are in a parent’s path of least resistance. Each location is analyzed to fit the brand’s member profile. This allows franchise partners to scale quickly across multiple units and, ultimately, contribute to Big Blue’s rapid franchise growth.

“We have always known that Big Blue is a special opportunity thanks to our mission-driven business focused on creating big, life-changing moments for kids and our strong support infrastructure for franchise partners. After our successful 2019, we are proud to be recognized for our achievements,” said DeJong. “We are uniquely positioned to go from game changer to industry leader.”

By combining a data-driven business model, growth-oriented franchise partners, and the insight of an expert leadership team, Big Blue is ready to make an even bigger splash in 2020.

Multi-unit opportunities are available for qualified candidates looking for their next big opportunity, and veterans can receive a 10 percent discount on the $75,000 franchise fee. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a new Big Blue Swim School is $1,825,500 to $3,687,000 (refer to item 7 in FDD)” To learn more or inquire about Big Blue Swim School, visit https://www.bigblueswimschool.com/franchising/.

ABOUT BIG BLUE SWIM SCHOOL

Big Blue Swim School was founded in 2009 by competitive swimmer Chris DeJong. The first location opened in Wilmette, Illinois, followed by Niles, Buffalo Grove and Hoffman Estates. In 2017, Level 5 Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in the brand, and is rolling out an aggressive strategy to grow through franchising to 150 locations by 2020. Big Blue Swim School’s real estate footprint, proprietary technology Lesson Buddy, coupled with its practice of employing full-time child engagement specialists that teach based on a proprietary distance-based swimming methodology sets Big Blue up for long-term success. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Big Blue Swim School, visit http://YourBigMomentStartsHere.com.

Big Blue Swim School is a SwimSwam Partner. 

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Big Blue Swim School Wraps Up a Strong First Year of Franchise Sales

By Aglaia Pezzato on SwimSwam

PARA SWIMMING WORLD SERIES 2020

• Melbourne – 14- 16 Febbraio
• Ligano Sabbiadoro (Italy) – 27 Febbraio – 01 Marzo   (CANCELLATA)
• Sao Paolo – 16-28 Marzo
• Sheffield – 9-12 Aprile
• Indianapolis – 16-18 Aprile
• Singapore– 1-3 Maggio (CANCELLATA)
• Berlino – 18-21 Giugno

Dopo aver cancellato con diversi mesi di anticipo la tappa di Singapore prevista per i primi giorni di Maggio, la Para Swimming Series è costretta a vedere un’altro appuntamento depennato dal calendario. A partire da giovedì 27 era infatti prevista la tappa italiana del circuito a Lignano Sabbiadoro. La gara valida anche come Campionato Italiano Invernale sarà cancellata.

Il sito ufficiale della FINP ha comunicato che

A seguito dell’ordinanza emessa dal Presidente della Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia del 23 febbraio 2020, riferita alla situazione “Coronavirus” si comunica che il Comitato Organizzatore, di concerto con la FINP  hanno preso atto di dover cancellare la manifestazione “World Series WPS World Para Swimming – Campionati Italiani Assoluti Invernali di nuoto paralimpico” di Lignano Sabbiadoro in programma per i prossimi 27, 28, 29 Febbraio e 1 Marzo. Questo include anche le classificazioni del 24-26 febbraio.

Sono ad oggi molti gli eventi annullati o posticipati a data da definire a scopo di tutela dal contagio del “Coronavirus”. Non solo nell’est del Mondo, dove ha avuto inizio l’epidemia ma anche in Europa e in particolare modi in Italia.

Il Trofeo Città di Milano che si sarebbe dovuto svolgere il prossimo fine settimana è stato sospeso. Così come lo SwimTo del capoluogo piemontese che ha dovuto chiudere i battenti rinunciando all’ultima sessione di finali previste per domenica pomeriggio.

Ma non sono solo le manifestazioni sportive e le competizioni a subire forti contraccolpi. Molte regioni e città hanno chiuso le porte degli impianti sportivi. Tra questi sono comprese le piscine in quanto “luoghi di aggregazione” e diversi atleti non sono in grado di allenarsi in questi giorni. P

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Cancellata Para SWS E Campionato Italiano Invernale Paralimpico