By Emma Gresser, Swimming World College Intern
The AAC Championship will take place from February 18-21 in Greensboro, North Carolina at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. Former AAC powerhouse and previous conference champion Louisville has migrated to the ACC allowing for new teams to seize the spotlight. On the women’s meet, Cincinnati, Connecticut, East Carolina, Houston, Southern Methodist, and Tulane will have a six-way battle. The men’s meet is just two teams less with Cincinnati, Connecticut, East Carolina, and Southern Methodist competing. With the fresh competition, it is any team’s meet.
In the second year of the American Athletic Conference‘s existence, this handful of races has the potential to make AAC history.
WOMEN’S 500 FREE
Cincinnati’s Jackie Keire, the reining conference champion, is seeded first with a 4:46.27. Keire competed at the 2014 NCAA Championships in the 100, 200, and 500 freestyles. Right behind Keire is SMU’s Ursa Bezan at 4:46.67. Bezan competed for Slovenian Olympic team in 2012 and competed with the Mustangs on the 2014 NCAA 800 freestyle relay. Both women are in the lead by almost four seconds in the conference. Keire is a good competitor and will be on the hunt for another conference title. Bezan was also a 2014 AAC Championship finalist in the 500 freestyle. This is a race you won’t want to miss.
MEN’S 200 FREE RELAY
The awe and wonder of the ridiculous speed in a 200 free relay makes this race one of the most exciting events at any conference championship. Adding East Carolina into the mix will make even more waves, as they currently own the second fastest conference time (1:21.78). The Pirates’ Nikola Simic currently has the AAC top time in the 50 free at a 20.20, and will be a major contributor to ECU’s freestyle relays. All four of the men’s teams are seeded within a second of each other.
MEN’S 1650 FREE
Thus far, five swimmers have raced under the 16-minute barrier. Top seed, Cincinnati’s Cody Green swam an impressive 15:40.85 at the Miami Invitational dropping from 15:57.65 at last season’s conference meet. Right behind Green is Cincinnati’s standout newcomer, Chris Bready. Seeded at 15:42.92, the freshman will make a statement at his first conference championship based off of in-season performances. UConn’s top contender Michael Lennon (seeded with a 15:54.44) swam to a second place finish at the 2014 AAC Championships, touching the wall at 15:25.38. The top three competitors will swim races of their own but we might see a little “cat and mouse” game.
WOMEN’S 200 FLY
Leading the conference is ECU’s Bailie Monahan with the fastest conference swim at 1:59.88. Following in second is UConn’s Sophie Nothnagle clocking in at 2:00.85. Monahan leads a pack of ECU Pirates including Julie Lajoie (2:00.85) and Danielle Morrin (2:01.03). This top four group of girls will have a solid race down to the last 25 yards. It’s all about who can bring it home.
WOMEN’S 400 FREE RELAY
This race could easily be a determining factor when scoring for the conference champion. SMU and Tulane are close with under a second to separate them. Tulane is the AAC newcomer ready to make a statement seeded second in the conference at 3:23.93. Green Wave key sprinter, Mia Schachter, owns the fastest 100 freestyle time at Tulane with a 49.85.
Another great article. You obviously know your conference as well as you know swimming. GOOD JOB! GO BEARCATS
The BMC Champs, in Chrlotte, NC, broke some National Records this past weekend. Some fast swims, check out the results.
Another interesting column even for those of us not as knowing about all the teams. Go Bearcats.