A combination of commitments from recruits and a rather calm meet schedule kept the PAC -2 relatively busy this past week. Four PAC 12 teams faced each other in dual meets, with the Oregon State and USC women facing off, and the Arizona and Washington State women battling the same day. The Trojan women split the weekend with swimmers at both the Oregon State duel and the SMU Classic, where they represented the PAC-12 for a fourth place finish behind LSU (SEC), Louisville (ACC) and SMU (AAC).
For the men, the Cal Golden Bears and the Stanford Cardinal traded duels with out-of-conference University of Hawaii, while the Trojan men took to the road for meets against out-of-conference Cal Poly and UCSB.
The commitments were a constant flow for the PAC-12, with the USC women, UCLA women and Stanford men all receiving at least three commitments from swimmers this week who will be strong additions to their programs.
WOMEN OF TROY TAKE BACK-TO-BACK, CROSS-COUNTRY WEEKEND
USC WOMEN WIN PAC-12 MEET ON THE ROAD AGAINST OREGON STATE
The Women of Troy won 12 of 14 events and came out on top in Corvalis on Saturday against the Beavers, 153 to 107. The Trojan squad maintained for the win while missing a few of their key swimmers who were away for the SMU Classic. Joanna Stenkvist and Diana Chang both picked up a pair of victories for the Trojans, while Andrea Kropp brought home triple wins. Sammy Harrison of Oregon State won two events for the Beavers.
Stenkvist took the 200 Free (1:53.55) and the 200 Back (2:03.02), for her double wins of the meet. Kropp was a triple threat against the Beavers, winning the 100 Breast (1:02.97), 200 Breast (2:14.05) and the 200 IM (2:03.73). Chang lead the Trojan charge with firsts in the 100 Back (55.94) and the 100 Free (51.42).
Oregon State’s Sammy Harrison brought home the Beaver’s only two event wins in the 1000 Free (9:56.92) and 500 Free (4:54.77).
The Trojan women proved their depth with excellent event coverage against the Beavers minus some of their top swimmers.
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WOMEN OF TROY TAKE FOURTH AS LSU WINS SMU CLASSIC
While the USC Women came away with a win at the SMU Classic last year and feel to fourth this time, they pulled off more event wins than last year. The best Trojan finishes last year were multiple third-place finishes from Kendyl Stewart in the 200 Back (1:58.37), Kasia Wilk in the 100 Free (50.57), Tosky in the 200 Fly (1:57.23) and then-Senior Stina Gardell in the 200 IM (1:59.80).
USC’s Chelsea Chenault blew away the top times in the nation with a 4:42.44 in the 500 Free. That beat SMU’s Ursa Bezan by four seconds and gave the Trojan women a significant point push to keep them in the running with LSU, Louisville and SMU.
USC got its second win of the night with Jasmine Tosky’s breakout 1:55.59 in the 200 Fly; a time that will easily shoot to the top of the national rankings. Louisville’s Tanja Kylliainen was second at 1:57.34, just beating out Kara Kopcso of LSU (1:57.46). USC swept the two heats with Chenault winning the B at 1:57.82.
Finally, it was the home team that pulled out the win in the meet-closing 200 free relay. Isabella Arcila, Marne Erasmus, Adrienn Santa and Nathalie Lindborg combined to go 1:31.34, just a hair ahead of USC’s 1:31.43. It was a crazy race, with LSU a tenth back (1:31.56) and NC State just two tenths back of that (1:31.78).
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VERBAL COMMITMENTS FOR THE WOMEN OF TROY
The USC women picked up three commitments this week for some added depth to their roster in the Breaststroke, Sprint Freestyle and IM events.
Dynamo Swim Club breaststroker Katie Christy verbally committed, following in her sister Jamie Christy’s footsteps, who is a current Sophomore at USC, to see if she will achieve the same level of immediate success Jamie did her Freshman year. Defending Arizona State Champion in the 50 and 100 Free Victoria Toris will also be adding to the USC Women’s sprint program to help fill the hole left from last year’s graduating seniors. The Trojans added a pair of state champions this week, with defending 200 IM and 100 Back Texas 4A State Champion Destiny Nelson also verbally committing and bringing her Backstroke, Breaststroke and IM strength to the program. Click names to see SwimSwam’s commitment reports.
USC MEN ON THE ROAD FOR BACK-TO-BACK DUALS
USC TAKE TO THE ROAD, DOWN CAL POLY
The visiting Trojan men took home wins in 10 of 11 events (before exhibition swims) to overtake Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 152 to 125 as the USC underclassmen contributed some serious points.
USC freshman Pawel Furtek got his Trojan career off to a nice start with a pair of wins in the 1000 (9:15.00) and 500 free (4:32.53). USC Sophomore Reed Malone (9:34.15) took second in the 1000, ahead of Mustang freshmen Pearu-Peeter Pold (9:38.28) and Peyton Leeson (9:40.45). In the 500, it was USC Junior Ted Singley (4:36.42) and Fresman Dylan Carter (4:37.51) at second and third.
The Mustangs won the 100 Breast when Senior Jimmy Deiparine (56.24) out-touched USC’s Morten Klarskov (56.99) and Andrew Malone (57.66). USC came back in the 200 fly with a first for Sophomore Michael Domagala in 1:52.02. A trio of Mustangs followed: Mackle (1:55.57), Shannon Fong (1:55.60), and Dedianous (1:56.76).
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USC MEN 2 FOR 2 ON THE ROAD WITH DUAL MEET WIN AT UCSB
Once again, the USC underclassmen brought home lots of top-three finishes to contribute to the Trojan win over the UCSB Gauchos, 152 to 107.
For the second day in a row USC Freshman Pawel Furtek won both the 1000 and the 500 free. Furtek and teammate Ted Singley led the field in the 1000 with a 9:12.25-9:23.04 finish, then Furtek and Trojan Freshman Jason O’Brien went 1-2 in the 500 with 4:32.62 and 4:38.84. UCSB’s Andrew Barmann was third in both races (9:31.85, 4:39.11).
Sophomore Reed Malone of USC won a close 200 free in 1:40.10 ahead of Santa Barbara’s Wade Allen(1:40.75) and Trojan Sophomore Michael Domagala (1:41.30). USC’s Cary Wright (49.61) and Luca Spinazzola (50.06) finished first in the 100 back, with UCSB’s Billy Mullis (52.35) finishing the fastest of the Gauchos.
UCSB got its first event win with a 1:48.06 effort in the 200 fly from Gaucho Freshman Mickey Mowry. Gaucho teammate Chris Nolan (1:51.09) was third, just behind USC’s Dakota Hodgson (1:50.98).
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BIG GAIN FOR UCLA IN VERBAL COMMITMENTS
While the Bruins did not have any meets this week (they visit Santa Barbara to take on UCSB on October 25th), they did receive a stack of commitments for next year.
Nashville Aquatic Club breaststroker Elena Escalas has verbally committed to the UCLA Bruins for next season, carrying on the legacy of her father Rafael Escalas, a two-time Spanish Olympian who swam for UCLA and helped the Bruins win a national title in 1982. The Bruins also picked up #15 recruit and sprint butterfly/freestyler Caroline McTaggart, one of the strongest additions to UCLA’s team as they rebuild for the upcoming PAC-12 and NCAA Championships in the next few years. Santa Clara Swim Club distance standout Sandra Soe also committed to joining the Bruins, and she will contribute a perfect complement to the rest of the specialty that the incoming UCLA class brings. Hong Kong commit Sabrina Kwok add Backstroke depth to the young Bruin team. Click names to see SwimSwam’s commitment reports.
CAL MEN TAKE DOWN HAWAII AT HOME AND PICK UP TWO COMMITS
CAL MEN ROLL PAST HAWAII
The Cal men’s swim team took down Hawaii on Friday 159 to 117, and showed why they are the number one in the nation by putting up fast and even nation-leading times in the process. The Golden Bears looked solid from start to finish despite not submitting their strongest lineup, improving to 2-0 this season.
Defending NCAA champion Ryan Murphy won the 100 back with his best time of the season so far (47.17). However, Murphy still has time to make up on Texas’ Kip Darmody, who was 46.92 in the 100 back at the Texas Orange and White intrasquad.
Murphy went on to win the 100 Free in 44.64, just two tenths of a second ahead of Cal Junior Tyler Messerschmidt (44.84).
Cal freshman Connor Hoppe, who was on the nation leading medley relay, won the 100 Breast (55.33). Junior Josh Prenot, Cal’s number-two 200 Breastroker last season, won the 200 Breast in 2:00.42, posting the eighth-fastest time in the country.
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COMMITMENTS FOR THE CAL GOLDEN BEARS
After landing top 2015 recruit Andrew Seliskar last week, the Cal men followed up with two more verbal commitments to keep the ball rolling. NAG record-holder Michael Thomas will be bringing his butterfly and backstroke promise to Cal where, along with Murphy, he will contribute to an unstoppable force in the backstroke events. The Golden Bears added breaststroke depth to their roster with a verbal commitment from Carson Sand. Click names to see SwimSwam’s commitment reports.
RECORD-BREAKING DUAL FOR ARIZONA’S WILDCATS
ARIZONA’S BRANDON DROPS TWO POOL RECORDS AS WILDCATS TAKE DOWN WSU COUGARS
In their first Pac-12 meet of the season, the Arizona Wildcat women won 12 of the 14 events to take a commanding 172-89 win over the Washington State Cougars and took down two pool records in the process. The Cougars did pick up two impressive wins against the Wildcats in a surge towards the end of the meet.
Junior Wildcat Bonnie Brandon came off of a 200 Medley Relay win to take first in the 200 Free in a new Gibb Pool Record (1:48.90). Later in the meet, she powered to yet another Gibb Pool Record in the 500 Free (4:50.14), 14 seconds ahead of teammate Claire Lockridge (5:04.58). Lockridge was coming off of a previous win in the 1000 Free (10:18.52).
Pac-12 Second-Team All-Academic member Taylor Schick took back-to-back wins in the 50 Free (23.20) and 100 Free (50.72), while breaststroker Emma Schoettmer also stacked up double wins in the 100 Breast (1:03.48) and 200 Breast (2:16.87), less than one-tenth of a second ahead of Cougar Presley Wetterstrom (2:16.96).
Freshman Cougar Anna Brolin out-touched Arizona’s Katja Hajdinjak in 55.71, the fastest time of her collegiate career and the ninth fastest in Cougar history. Junior Loree Olson won the 200 IM at 2:06.07, over two seconds ahead of Wildcat Freshman Alexandra Martelle.
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TWO COMMITMENTS FOR WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS
While WSU was defeated by Arizona this week, the Cougars received three verbal commitments to offset the loss. The Arizonan pair of backstroker Maddie Nichols and breaststroker Taylor Shewchuk will contribute depth to the Cougar roster in their respective specialties. Alaska-based Ciera Kelly will add some serious sprint threat in the butterfly, backstroke and freestyle events for Washington State. Click names to see SwimSwam’s commitment reports.
STANFORD WOMEN PICK UP COMMITMENT FROM LEAH STEVENS
While the Cardinal women did not have a meet this week (they will be swimming against Oregon State at home on October 24th), they received a verbal commitment from #19 recruit Leah Stevens. Stevens’ distance free and IM times are strong, with her best time in the mile putting her at 15th at last year’s NCAA Champs. Click names to see SwimSwam’s commitment reports.
CARDINAL MEN DEFEAT HAWAII AT HOME, PICK UP FOUR COMMITS
STANFORD MEN TOP UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII WITH MULTIPLE EVNT SWEEPS
The University of Hawaii men traveled across the Pacific for a pair of meet to kick off their 2014-2015 season. After falling to the Cal Golden Bears on Friday, the Rainbow Warriors suffered another loss on Saturday as Stanford’s David Nolan lead a Cardinal charge to a 179 – 106 win.
With the Cardinal underclassmen giving solid performances in a number of events, it will be exciting to watch them continue to contribute to the Cardinal men’s program as they build into the championship season.
Rainbow Warrior Sophomore and MPSF 500 Free record setter Victor Goicoechea clinched Hawaii’s only win (before exhibition swims) in the 1650 Free (14:32.83). It was almost ten seconds ahead of Cardinal Junior Danny Thomson (15:42.18) and the fastest time in the country so far.
Freshman Cardinal Andrew Liang kicked off his collegiate career with a win in the 100 Back (48.95) ahead of Freshman teammate Patrick Conaton (49.71). Junior Ryan Arata finished a surprising fourth (50.58), but the Cardinal backstroke field seems to be deepening with the addition of Liang and Conaton.
After contributing the backstroke leg in the winning 400 Medley Relay, Cardinal Senior David Nolan brought the consistency he is known for to the back-to-back sprint events. Nolan claimed both the 50 Free (20.49) and 100 Free (44.68), both times leading a pack of Stanford Cardinal.
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COMMITMENTS ROLL IN FOR STANFORD MEN
This was a great week for the Stanford men in the world of recruiting, as the Cardinal received four verbal commitments. Backstroker Ryan Dudzinski verbally committed to the Cardinal, and his backstroke power will help fill the hole that will be left next year with David Nolan’s graduation. Junior Nationals double-IM runner-up and defending 200 IM Washington State Champion Abrahm Devine also committed to Stanford. Breaststroker and sprint freestyler Matt Anderson and backstroke and IM specialist Jack Walsh will also be adding serious talent to the Cardinal roster.
ANDERSON FAMILY LEGACY CONTINUES WITH JORDAN ANDERSON’S VERBAL COMMITMENT TO THE UTAH UTES
The Utes did not have any meets this week, but will have back-to-back duals with Arizona and UNLV on November 1st. Jordan Anderson, open water nationals qualifier and younger sister of open-water Olympian Haley Anderson and Olympic 4×200 Free Relay member Alyssa Anderson, will be making an immediate impact on the Ute’s distance program. Click names to see SwimSwam’s commitment reports.
TEAMS ON DECK
Arizona State University (Sun Devils): Both the Sun Devil men and women are preparing for meets next week. After suffering losses to Minnesota and Wisconsin, the ASU women will look to get their first win of the season on the road on October 24th against Washington State. The ASU men also had double losses against Minnesota and Wisconsin, and will be visiting Washington to take on Seattle University on October 24th.
University of California Berkeley (Golden Bears): Coming off of a second-place finish at the All Florida Invite, the Cal women will be hosting BYU and Oregon State on October 24th.