University of Texas sophomore Joseph Schooling is available to swim all five relays for the Longhorns at 2016 NCAAs, as he is qualified individually in only two events: the 100 fly and 200 fly.
Here is a quick reminder of the NCAA rules for maximum number of events an athlete can enter at the Division I Championships (see page 21 of the NCAA Pre-Championship Manual)
“A student-athlete is permitted to compete in a maximum of seven events of which not more than three may be individual events. If a student-athlete is entered in the NCAA championships in three individual events, that student-athlete may only swim in up to four relays.”
As a freshman at the 2015 NCAA Division I Championships, Schooling entered the 100/200 fly and 200 IM. He was seeded second to teammate Jack Conger in both butterfly events and seventh in the 200 IM. He won both butterflies in a pair of thrilling showdowns against Conger, and finished ninth in the 200 IM. In addition to his individual events, Schooling swam on three Texas relays:
- 1st-place 400 medley relay (split 43.95 on fly)
- 3rd-place 200 medley relay (split 19.91 fly)
- 4th-place 400 free relay (anchored with 41.74)
This year, it would appear that head coach Eddie Reese had different plans for the versatile Schooling. He didn’t swim the 200 IM all year , and thus was ineligible to enter the race at NCAAs. During dual meets he concentrated on the 100/200 fly, and sprinkled in a few 100 backs and 100 breasts. At Big 12s, Schooling swapped in the 100 free for the 200 IM on Day 2. He won the consolation with 43.00, just off the 2015 “invited cut” line of 42.95.
Schooling is the top seed in both butterfly events this year, having led the nation during the season with 44.62 in the 100 fly and 1:40.48 in the 200. He will be up against Florida’s Caeleb Dressel (seeded with 44.80) in the 100, as well as teammate Jack Conger (45.19); the 200 will pit Schooling against Conger once again.
With Schooling available to swim on all the relays, Texas has a chance to become the first team to sweep all 5 relays at the NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships since Stanford in 1992.
Schooling is a BAD BAD MAAANN!!!!!
Gonna love to see this showdown with Conger. I have him as my top pick in March Madness bracket. He’s also my pick to win the Men’s NCAA diving title, and hockey tourney……
Texas will not sweep the relays if NC State has anything to say about that. They got a major gift last year with NC State’s DQ
While I agree with you Texas will not sweep the relays this year, I guess NC State was in a gift giving mood again when they hosted the defending National Champions in their home pool. You do realize Texas swept NC State in both relays when they raced head to head in this year? The final score shows a close meet with NC State winning the 200 free relay. But, Texas loses the 200 Free relay at every meet because they are so far ahead in the score it is always an exhibition swim!! All Texas meets final scores are roughly 156 to 138 because coach Reese never runs up the score and exhibitions the final 4 events including the… Read more »
Small correction: Stanford actually won all 5 relays in 1992.
There is absolutely no way Texas will sweep all the relays. Relays (for every school) are always way slower in reality than what we think they will be. The only jaw dropping relay race last year was Cal vs Texas in 400 medley. Every other relay (for Texas) was underwhelming.
This year I can see Texas winning the 800, and 400 free relay, but beyond that is unclear. Licon has not really shown his cards so far this year. I guess it is safe to assume he could throw down like a 50.4 split or that neighborhood. Will he do the 200 medley now that it is at the end of the session instead of before the 400IM? Conger… Read more »
Did Messerschmidt make the meet? If not, I guess he could go for relays only?
Yeah I think he is a relay only swimmer
Yeah I think he’s relay only. He could still be a huge asset if he’s back in form.
Interesting point about relay times historically. Never thought about it, but it sure holds true for Texas last year, when the key guys were fresh on day 1 for the 400 MR but less so thereafter.
That being said, Texas could have a huge 800 FR this year. Smith, Haas, Conger, and Schooling can all go 1:33 from flat starts, so something under 6:12 seems realistic.
I think Texas has the chance to pull off a sweep of the relays, but I think their biggest obstacle is not Cal in 200 medley, but NC State in the 200 fr. Your predictions for Cal are spot (Minus the breast leg) on but I think Texas has more to drop in the back, breast and free legs (Ringgold has been on a roll this year). In the end it is still gonna be very close between the two, but I believe that those Texas boys will get it done.
The 200 fr relay is the real test for Texas, as I believe that NC State still has a little more room to drop, just like they did… Read more »
Bilis’ time here is from a flat start; using his best flying start would drop half a second or so.
Also, GONCAA’s prediction doesn’t account for the 0.03 to 0.15 that NC State will be able to shave off by false starting on each leg. If Braden Holloway yells at the officials long enough, every start is legal!
What’s Schooling’s health like right now? I know he was sick earlier this year.
That’s been the plan all along. He may though only do 4 relays and 1 diving event. He was inspired by the incredible diving at the SEA Games
Andrew Wilson is that you?
Definitely AW
Who is Andrew Wilson?
Soon to be 2016 US Olympian in the 100 and maybe 200 breaststroke, training with UT this year.
The only Wilson I have ever heard of is the volleyball in Castaway
I’m sorry, Wilson. Wilson, I’m sorry! I’m sorry!
Inside knowledge would explain a lot! The “there is a plan in place” comment after the Big 12 meet was hilarious but confusing. I’d been guessing Kristaps Kubik myself.
Texas will have to be fighting tooth and nail to beat out NC State in the freestyle relays. Either that or they’ll be crossing their fingers for false starts like last year.
Or any relay other than medley I predict NC state will sweep all free relays
Agreed, the freestyle relays are NC State’s to lose
Just like last year, right?
I think NC State have to much depth too lose any of the relays in all honisty. I can imagine that their all four legs on the 200 free relay will be under 19.0