PHOENIX, Arizona, January 3. FINA released the full list of swimwear approved for use in 2012, and for the first time ever, FINA also has included a list of approved caps and goggles that can be worn. This is likely in response to the new cap and goggles Speedo designed to be worn with their new Fastskin 3 swimsuit. Pretty much every company is now required to submit their line of caps and goggles to FINA for approval. No word on how they will know if a pair of goggles is approved, since there isn't room for that FINA barcode you see on swimsuits these days. You can see the full list at fina.org.
Many college teams are taking part in holiday training at warm-weather locations during their semester break. NCAA rules require these teams to participate in a sanctioned college dual meet before returning, and Minnesota fulfilled that requirement on Saturday with a meet against the University of Hawaii to wrap up 2011. The Gopher women's team won all 14 events, while the men did nearly as well, taking 12 out of 14 events. Reigning 200 breast NCAA champion Haley Spencer won the 100 and 200 breaststrokes easily, and national champion Ashley Steenvoorden won the mile in 16:33.