Above photo by Peter H. Bick
PHOENIX – Defeating in-state rivals Texas went a long way in helping the Texas A&M Aggies remove Georgia from their post at the top of the College Swim Coaches Association of America’s poll of the top 25 Division I women’s swimming and diving teams. The poll is produced in conjunction with Swimming World Magazine.
The goal of the CSCAA rankings committee is to produce an in-season poll of the 25 best-performing teams in rank order at the time of each poll. The poll is not designed to predict the results of the NCAA Championship, but rather which teams would win head-to-head against other teams in the country.
Specifically, the poll committee does not differentiate between the types of meets, or the status of a specific team in terms of rested versus unrested, when considering votes. Further, rankings are only based on performances that have taken place up to that point in the season, with an emphasis on action from the previous poll.
Swimming World has been invited as a media member to participate in the polling process, and has a vote in each poll. Jeff Commings serves as Swimming World’s representative on these weekly conference calls.
1. Texas A&M (4-0, 1-0 SEC)
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Last poll rank: 9
Results
W at Arkansas (10/18), 170-120
W at North Texas (10/31), 140-86
W vs. Houston (at North Texas), (10/31), 140-95
Since last poll:
W at Texas (11/7), 169-131
Next competition: Thursday through Saturday at Art Adamson Invitational
The Aggies are one of the few undefeated teams in the top 25, and taking down Texas by more than 30 points with several close wins convinced the coaches on the panel to put Texas A&M at the top.
2. Georgia (7-0, 3-0 SEC)
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Last poll rank: 1
Results
W vs. Vanderbilt (9/24), 153-94
W vs. Alabama (10/10), 164-130
W at North Carolina (10/17), 164-136
W at NC State (10/18), 183.5-114.5
W vs. Florida (10/31), 176-119
Since last poll:
W vs. Georgia Tech (11/7), 171-121
W vs. SCAD (at Georgia Tech) (11/7), 201-71
Next competition: Thursday through Saturday at Georgia Tech Invitational
Though Georgia is also undefeated in dual meets this season, their victories over Georgia Tech and SCAD were not as significant to the coaches in the panel.
3. Stanford (2-1, 1-0 Pac 12)
Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott
Last poll rank: 3
Results
W at Utah (9/26), 174-124
L vs. Texas (10/30), 156-144
Since last poll:
W vs. Wisconsin (11/8), 145-91
Next competition: Thursday through Saturday at Art Adamson Invitational
Stanford and Texas are still fairly evenly matched, but a win over Wisconsin helped the Cardinal in this week’s poll.
4. Texas (5-1, 0-0 Big 12)
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Last poll rank: 2
Results
W at Michigan (10/24), 199-154
W vs. Indiana (at Michigan) (10/24), 204.5-148.5
W vs. Louisville (at Michigan) (10/24), 243.5-109.5
W vs. Stanford (10/30), 156-144
W vs. California (10/31), 161-139
Since last poll:
L vs. Texas A&M (11/7), 169-131
Next competition: December 4-6 at Texas Invitational
Texas’ only loss this season was a big one, causing the two-spot slide down the rankings.
5. California (2-1, 1-0 Pac 12)
Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott
Last poll rank: 4
Results
Pinch-A-Penny Invitational (10/3-5), second place
L vs. Texas (10/31), 161-139
Since last poll:
W vs. Wisconsin (11/7), 161-124
W at Utah (11/14), 186.5-109.5
Next competition: December 4-6 at Georgia Invitational
The Golden Bears are swimming consistently this season, and their move down the rankings is largely due to Texas A&M’s major move upward.
6. Auburn (6-0-1, 3-0-1 SEC)
Last poll rank: 7
Results
W at Indiana (10/10), 129-113
W vs. Notre Dame (10/18), 192-102
W vs. Vanderbilt (10/18), 201-75
W at Alabama (11/1), 174-126
W vs. LSU (at Alabama) (11/1), 176-124
Since last poll:
Tied vs. Tennessee (11/14), 150-150
W vs. Louisville (at Tennessee) (11/14), 185-114
Next competition: December 5-7 at Georgia Invitational
Auburn had some impressive performances in the tri-meet against Tennessee and Louisville, including in the distance freestyle from Ashley Neidigh.
7. Minnesota (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 10
Results
W at Arizona State (10/4), 191-101
W vs. Wisconsin (10/17), 203-95
W vs. North Dakota (10/24), 215-81
W vs. Iowa (10/31), 195-105
Since last poll:
W at Florida (11/8), 183-117
Next competition: Thursday through Saturday at Arena Grand Prix – Minnesota
Winning the dual meet against Florida surprised many, and impressed coaches in the panel to put them firmly in the top 10. Racing in the Arena Grand Prix this week might produce times that could move them higher in the next poll.
8. Tennessee (4-2-1, 1-1-1 SEC)
Last poll rank: 14
Results
W at UNC-Wilmington (9/26), 166-120
W at Queens (10/9), 157-45
L at North Carolina (10/10), 204-96
W vs. Kentucky (10/31), 191-109
L vs. Indiana (10/31), 169-129
Since last poll:
Tied vs. Auburn (11/14), 150-150
W vs. Louisville (11/14), 166-134
Next competition: Thursday through Saturday at Nike Cup
Depth was the key in helping the Volunteers produce a tie against Auburn and take down Louisville in Knoxville.
9. Virginia (2-1, 1-0 ACC)
Last poll rank: Not ranked
Results
L at Penn State (11/8), 183-170
W vs. Michigan (at Penn State) (11/8), 184.5-168.5
W vs. N.C. State (11/15), 188-112
Next competition: December 5-7 at Georgia Invitational
The Virginia women opened up their dual meet season with some very impressive performances, notably from star backstroker Courtney Bartholomew to help the Cavaliers get into a good spot in the poll headed into the fall invitational competitions.
10. Indiana (1-3, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 8
Results
L vs. Auburn (10/10), 126-113
L vs Michigan (10/24-25), 179-174
L vs. Texas (at Michigan) (10/24-25), 204.5-148.5
W vs. Louisville (at Michigan) (10/24-25), 210-143
Since last poll:
Idle
Next competition: December 4-6 at USA Swimming nationals
The Hoosiers remain idle to prepare for nationals while their competition puts up fast times in dual meets, hence the drop in the rankings for Indiana.
11. Arizona (6-0, 4-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 13
Results
W vs. Wisconsin (10/4), 180-101
W at Washington State (10/17), 172-89
W at UNLV (11/1), 232.5-66.5
W vs. Utah (at UNLV) (11/1), 210-90
Since last poll:
W at UCLA (11/14), 155-145
W at USC (11/15), 172-128
Next competition: December 4-6 at Texas Invitational
Taking down Southern Cal, which had previously been the top-ranked school in the poll rankings, gave Arizona a boost going into the Texas Invite, where they will put up some quick times and likely vault into the top 10.
12. Michigan (6-1, 4-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 6
Results
W at Iowa (10/4), 188.5-105.5
W vs. Nebraska (at Iowa) (10/4), 182-112
L vs. Texas (10/24-25), 199-154
W vs. Indiana (10/24-25), 179-174
W vs. Louisville (10/24-25), 232.5-120.5
Since last poll:
W at Penn State (11/7-8), 178-175
L vs. Virginia (at Penn State) (11/7-8), 184.5-168.5
Next competition: December 3-6 at USA Swimming nationals
Michigan suffered a tough loss against Virginia to fall out of the top 10 this week.
13. Southern California (3-1, 3-1 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 5
Results
W at Washington State (10/9), 150-106
W at Oregon State (10/18), 153-107
SMU Classic (10/17-18), 4th place
Since last poll:
W vs. Arizona State (11/14), 169-127
L vs. Arizona (11/14), 172-128
Next competition: Thursday through Saturday at Arena Invitational
Southern Cal continues its slide out of the top of the poll with a big loss against Arizona last weekend.
14. North Carolina (3-1, 2-0 ACC)
Last poll rank: 12
Results
W vs. Tennessee (10/10), 204-96
L vs. Georgia (10/17), 164-136
W vs. Virginia Tech (10/25), 186-108
Since last poll:
W vs. Louisville (11/8), 194-159
Next competition: Thursday through Saturday at Nike Cup
Heading into this week’s Nike Cup, North Carolina slipped a bit in the poll, but could rally after hosting one of this week’s big invitationals.
15. Penn State (7-1, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 20
Results
W vs. Georgia Tech (10/3), 170-119
W at Virginia Tech (10/18), 197-156
W vs. Old Dominion (at Virginia Tech) (10/18), 285-68
W vs. Liberty (at Virginia Tech) (10/18), 270-74
W vs. James Madison (at Virginia Tech) (10/18), 274-79
W vs. Villanova (10/31), 156-101
Since last poll:
L vs. Michigan (11/8), 178-175
W vs. Virginia (11/8), 183-170
Next competition: December 5-7 at Georgia Invitational
Penn State continues to improve with each bi-monthly poll, making its way into the top 15 after splitting the tri-meet against Michigan and Virginia.
16. Florida (3-2, 3-1 SEC)
Last poll rank: 11
Results
W vs. Arkansas (9/27), 189.5-110.5
Pinch-A-Penny Invitational (10/3-5), first place
W vs. LSU (10/10), 166-134
W at Kentucky (10/16), 161-137
L vs. Georgia (10/31), 176-119
Since last poll:
L vs. Minnesota (11/8), 183-117
Next competition: Thursday through Saturday at Georgia Tech Invite
The loss to Minnesota hit Florida hard in this poll as the Gators try to regain the form they had in the early part of the season.
17. Louisville (2-6, 0-1 ACC)
Last poll rank: 18
Results
W vs. Xavier (10/10), 204-56
SMU Classic (10/17-18), second place
L vs. Michigan (10/24-25), 232.5-120.5
L vs. Texas (at Michigan) (10/24-25), 243.5-109.5
L vs. Indiana (at Michigan) (10/24-25), 210-143
W vs. Cincinnati (11/1), 204-94
Since last poll:
L vs. North Carolina (11/8), 194-159
L vs. Tennessee (11/14), 166-134
L vs. Auburn (at Tennessee) (11/14), 185-114
Next competition: Friday through Sunday at UofL Invitational
Adding three losses to the tally didn’t seem to hurt the Cardinals as they move up one spot in the rankings, thanks in large part to the leadership of Tanja Kylliainen and Kelsi Worrell and the nation-leading times they’ve produced in dual meets.
18. Ohio State (8-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 15
Results
Dennis Stark Relays (10/10), first place
W at Miami (10/23), 172-115
W vs. Cincinnati (10/24), 238-60
W vs. Purdue (10/24), 165-134
W at Ohio (10/25), 222-95
W vs Cleveland State (10/30), 167-61
W vs Kenyon (10/31), 191-86
Since last poll:
W vs. Princeton (11/8), 226-121
W vs. Denison (11/8), 251-93
Next competition: Thursday through Sunday at Ohio State Invitational
The Buckeyes remain undefeated and head into hosting their invitational with momentum to move back up the rankings in the next poll.
19. UCLA (4-1, 2-1 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 21
Results
W vs. Washington State (10/10), 143-104
W vs. UC-Santa Barbara (10/25), 162-96
W vs. Brigham Young (at Santa Barbara) (10/25), 171-87
Since last poll:
L vs. Arizona (11/14), 155-145
W vs. Arizona State (11/15), 169-124
Next competition: Thursday through Saturday at A3 Performance Invitational
Giving Arizona a tough battle in Friday’s dual meet produced some of UCLA’s best times of the season, particularly where the all-important relays are concerned.
20. N.C. State (2-1, 2-0 ACC)
Last poll rank: 22
Results
All-North Carolina Invite (10/3-4), first place
SMU Classic (10/17-18), fifth place
L vs. Georgia (10/18), 183.5-114.5
W at Georgia Tech (10/25), 189-106
W vs. Florida State (at Georgia Tech) (10/25), 173-115
Since last poll:
L vs. Virginia (11/15) 188-112
Next competition: November 20-22 at Nike Cup
Despite losing to a strong Virginia, N.C. State finds themselves moving up two spots in the rankings as their times from last weekend’s dual meet shows improvement compared to October.
21. Louisiana State (3-2, 1-2 SEC)
Last poll rank: 17
Results
W vs. Tulane (10/3), 220-80
L at Florida (10/10), 166-134
SMU Classic (10/17-18), sixth place
W vs Alabama (11/1), 155-145
L vs. Auburn (at Alabama) (11/1), 176-124
Since last poll:
W vs. Incarnate Word (11/15), 203-92
Next competition: Thursday through Saturday at Art Adamson Invitational
Racing Incarnate Word did not give LSU the potential to improve on their times compared to the rest of the country these past two weeks.
22. Southern Methodist (2-0, 1-0 American)
Last poll rank: 16
Results
UNT Relays (9/26), third place
SMU Classic (10/17-18), third place
W vs. Rice (10/31), 142-89
W vs. Houston (11/1), 155-88
Since last poll:
Idle
Next competition: November 20-22 at Art Adamson Invite
The Mustangs will be looking to get back into the top 20 after what is sure to be a strong three days at the Art Adamson Invite.
23. Wisconsin (2-4, 1-1 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 19
Results
W at Arizona State (10/3), 142-94
L at Arizona (10/4), 196-104
L at Minnesota (10/10), 203-95
Since last poll:
L at California (11/7), 161-124
L at Stanford (11/8), 145-91
W vs. Northwestern (11/13), 166.5-125.5
Next competition: Friday through Sunday at Ohio State Invitational
Wisconsin stays in the top 25 after their hard-fought battles against two very tough Bay Area teams, and thanks to some strong swims against Northwestern at home.
24. Alabama (1-1, 0-1 SEC)
Last poll rank: 23
Results
W vs. Delta State (9/12), 216-79
L at Georgia (10/10), 164-130
L vs Auburn (11/1), 174-126
L vs. LSU (11/1), 155-145
Since last poll:
Idle
Next competition: Thursday through Saturday at Virginia Tech Invitational
Two weeks of no competition didn’t hurt the Crimson Tide very much in this poll ranking, and they will look to reverse their slide after this week’s performances.
25. Purdue (3-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 24
Results
W vs. Miami (Ohio) (10/17), 199-94
Indiana Intercollegiates (10/18), first place
W at Ohio State (10/24), 165-134
W vs. Cincinnati (at Ohio State) (10/24), 246-53
Since last poll:
Idle
Next competition: November 21-23 at Ohio State Invitational
Purdue holds on to their place in the top 25 thanks to strong diving scores throughout the season.
More CSCAA college rankings:
Divsion I men
Division II
Division III