College Previews: NCAA Division II and Division III Swimming and Diving
By Andy Ross
The battle for supremacy for this year’s NCAA Division II and Division III swimming and diving titles might not be such a foregone conclusion as in previous years when Queens dominated D-II, Emory controlled women’s D-III and Denison was the talk of men’s D-III.
NCAA Division II
March 11-14
SPIRE Institute Aquatics Center (Geneva, Ohio)
Hosted by Lake Erie College and Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
Queens has won the last five women’s and men’s titles in convincing fashion. This year, without Marius Kusch and Josephina Lorda, the Royals look vulnerable—but they shouldn’t be counted out.
On the women’s side, UC San Diego appears to be the deepest team and one of a few that could challenge Queens. The Tritons have tremendous freestyle depth and have improved considerably since placing sixth at last year’s NCAAs. As of early February, they were ranked No. 1 in the CSCAA dual meet poll (just ahead of Queens) and had nation-leading times from freshmen Katja Pavicevic (200 yard breast) and Juli Arzave (1000 and 1650 free).
For the men, Queens currently ranks third in CSCAA’s poll behind Indianapolis and Drury, rivals from the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Even without Kusch—whose 100 fly last year was quicker than the winning time at D-I NCAAs—the Royals are still national title favorites, with sophomore Alex Kunert (200-1000 free and 200 fly national champ) leading the way.
However, Indianapolis—with sprinter Victor Anton Rodriguez and breaststroker Jan Zuchowicz—and Drury will be competitive.
NCAA Division III
March 18-21
Greensboro Aquatic Center (Greensboro, N.C.)
Hosted by Old Dominion Athletic Conference and Greensboro Aquatic Center
Emory’s women have dominated Division III swimming and diving, winning every national title of the last decade. But their quest for No. 11 won’t come easy.
Denison, which last won a women’s national title in 2001, is CSCAA’s No. 1-ranked team…and has already picked up a head-to-head win over Emory in the Denison Invitational.
Of course, NCAAs are completely different, but Denison looks ready to give Emory a challenge. The Big Red boasts KT Kustritz, who became the first D-III woman to break a minute in the 100 yard breast as a sophomore in 2018. Now, as a senior, she’d love nothing more than helping her teammates win their first women’s national title since George W. Bush first became President in 2001.
Denison’s men have won the last two national team titles (and three of the last four) and looked primed for a third straight after a stellar showing at their own invitational. But their bitter rival, Kenyon, beat them in a dual meet in November, giving the Lords reason to believe they can win their first national title since 2015.
To access the full NCAA DII and DIII College Previews,
Check out the March issue of Swimming World Magazine- Available Now!
[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]
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FEATURES
016 CATCH CAL IF YOU CAN!
by Dan D’Addona
With all their firepower and depth, Cal’s Golden Bears will be extremely difficult to catch at this year’s men’s Division I NCAAs.
020 MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU
by Dan D’Addona
That’s what Stanford’s swimmers could be saying to each other, as the Cardinal appear to have what it takes to win their fourth straight women’s NCAA championship!
023 THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
by David Rieder
Swedish swimmer Louise Hansson never envisioned herself swimming in college in the United States. But as she prepares for this month’s women’s NCAAs, the University of Southern California senior says that moving to the U.S. was the best thing she’s ever done.
026 TAKEOFF TO TOKYO: “WE WILL SMASH THEM LIKE GUITARS”
by John Lohn
Before the men’s 400 freestyle relay at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, American Gary Hall Jr. proclaimed the United States would “smash (the Australians) like guitars.” However, the Aussies won the race by 19-hundredths of a second, ending the U.S. streak of seven straight Olympic gold medals in the event—and 15 straight victories, counting the World Championships! In the latest installment of our “Takeoff to Tokyo” series, we venture back 20 years to what has become known as the Air-Guitar Race.
030 UPON FURTHER REVIEW…
by Andy Ross
The battle for supremacy for this year’s NCAA Division II and Division III swimming and diving titles might not be such a foregone conclusion as in previous years when Queens dominated D-II, Emory controlled women’s D-III and Denison was the talk of men’s D-III.
COACHING
010 LESSONS WITH THE LEGENDS: CECIL COLWIN
by Michael J. Stott
014 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: TECHNIQUE SIMILARITIES ACROSS THE FOUR COMPETITIVE STROKES
by Rod Havriluk
Although there are obvious differences in technique elements across all four competitive strokes, there are many similarities. Knowing about the similarities can help swimmers better understand specific movements and, consequently, make technique improvements more quickly.
040 Q&A WITH COACH BILLY DOUGHTY
by Michael J. Stott
043 HOW THEY TRAIN LUCA URLANDO
by Michael J. Stott
TRAINING
013 DRYSIDE TRAINING: STROKE STRENGTH SERIES—BACKSTROKE
by J.R. Rosania
JUNIOR SWIMMER
045 UP & COMERS: JACE LLOYD
by Shoshanna Rutemiller
COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS
008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT 009 BEYOND THE YARDS
019 THE OFFICIAL WORD
032 2020 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY 044 HASTY HIGH POINTERS
046 GUTTERTALK
This is the best they could do? Lol
I know…
Meanwhile, McKendree sits atop the latest CSCAA poll AND, according to the psych sheet, scores out in first by 65 points. Go Bearcats!!!