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FEATURES
PREPARED TO REPEAT
By Jeff Commings
California and Texas appear ready to renew their rivalry from last year’s championships as the top two teams.
Picking Relay Winners
By Jeff Commings
Any team that has a serious shot at winning the team title at the men’s NCAA Division I Championships in Iowa City must win at least one relay. It’s not a requirement, but it definitely helps. Relays score double points in the NCAAs, which explains why the team that wins the most relays often wins the meet. The California Golden Bears won three of the five relays in 2014 on their way to the team title, and the team looks like they will win only two of those later this month. How it will affect their defense of the team title will depend on their placings in all five relays – as well as the 13 individual events – and how their rivals perform. Here are my predictions for the five relays:
4 With Chance To Make Backstroke Top 8
By Jeff Commings
Ryan Murphy will be going for the unprecedented double in the backstroke events at the men’s NCAA Division I championships, and the sophomore will likely view everyone in the final of the 100 and 200 backstrokes as a worthy competitor, and a likely challenger to his crown. Here’s a look at four who have an outside chance to make the top eight in one or both backstroke events.
3 Challengers For IM American Record Holders
By Jeff Commings
On paper, it would seem that David Nolan has secured the 200 IM title at the men’s NCAA Division I championships, and Chase Kalisz is the solid leader for the 400 IM win. But the NCAA meet is all about surprises, and nothing is certain until the race is over. Last year, Kalisz had no challengers on his way to breaking the American and NCAA record in the 400 IM, but his challengers in 2015 have had a year to visualize beating him (though Kalisz also has had a year to get better). As for Nolan, it would seem illogical to think that anyone in the current lineup has a chance at coming close to posting a 1:40-low or 1:39 in the 200 IM, but the emotions behind a championship race often produce the unthinkable.
5 Freshmen To Watch
By Jeff Commings
Five freshmen stand on the brink of major performances in two weeks, and we present some background on them as they prepare for the most intense meet of their lives.
Who Can Break 19 In 50 Free
By Jeff Commings
The championship final of the 50 free at the men’s NCAA Division I championships in Iowa could be historic. We could see the most swims under 19 seconds in the final than ever, but history has shown us that breaking that magical barrier at one of the most competitive meets in the world is much easier said than done.
3 Serious Title Contenders In Distance Freestyle
By Jeff Commings
The 500 and 1650 freestyles at the men’s NCAA Division I championships in Iowa are pretty much wide open. Yes, last year’s 500 champion is back in 2015, but so are the ones who finished second, fourth and sixth. And with Connor Jaeger now continuing his career as a postgrad, the 1650 free does not have a clear frontrunner.
3 Who Can Break 1:50 In 200 Breast
By Jeff Commings
Kevin Cordes is bound to have some company in the rarefied air that is the sub-1:50 club in the 200 breast at the men’s NCAA Division I Championships. While no one has even been under 1:51 except for Cordes, this year could mark a major turning point in the 200 breast, and a major step forward for American swimming.
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