2022 W NCAAs: Day 1 Relay Analysis

2022 NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Night one kicked off in Atlanta for Women’s NCAAs. Tonight only featured relays so it is time to do some relay analysis for each team as decisions had to be made. The relays had 45 minutes in-between, and some athletes were used on both relays.

Women – Team Rankings – Through Event 2                      

  1. Virginia 74  
  2. Texas 58
  3. California  56  
  4. Stanford 54
  5. Louisville 46  
  6. NC State 44
  7. Alabama/Ohio St 38
  8.  Tie
  9. Georgia / Tennessee 34
  10. Tie
  11. Florida / Michigan 26
  12. Tie
  13. Kentucky / Southern California 18
  14. Tie
  15. Wisconsin  14 
  16. Arizona St  12
  17. UNC 10 
  18. Northwestern/Indiana  8
  19. Tie
  20. Virginia Tech/Arizona  2
  21. Tie

Virginia has already taken a lead of 16 points over Texas. Their big decision of the night was using Emma Weyant on the 800 freestyle relay. Weyant was not on the relay that won the ACC Championships. She swam the anchor leg tonight replacing Ella Bathurst. The decision was not super impactful as Weyant split a 1:44.80 tonight, and Bathurst split a 1:44.72 at ACCs.

Stanford decided to use Regan Smith on both the 200 medley and 800 freestyle relays. Smith led off in a 24.31 on the 200 medley relay and split a 1:43.35 on the 800 freestyle. Both were just off of her splits from Pac-12s a few weekends ago. Something to note is that Stanford was the seventh seed in the 200 medley relay but ended up finishing 10th. Smith was third heading into the wall but came out seventh and ended up splitting a 24.31, over a second slower than what she led off in at Pac-12s. Using Smith on both relays tonight means that they most likely will leave her off of the 200 freestyle as each athlete is limited to only four out of the five relays.

Texas used Evie Pfeifer on the 800 freestyle relay tonight after not being on the school’s fastest time this season prior to tonight. Tonight, Pfeiffer split a 1:44.29, right around her split of 1:44.00 from last year’s NCAAs.

Unlike last year where Cal left Isabel Ivey off of the 800 freestyle relay, the Golden Bears did opt to use her this year. Ivey came up with a huge split leading off the relay in a 1:41.35, the fastest leadoff split of the field and the second fastest split overall. That time was over two seconds faster than she led off the relay in at Pac-12s.

Like Stanford, Tennessee also opted to use a swimmer on both relays tonight. Freshman Ellen Walshe swam the butterfly leg of the 11th place 200 medley relay as well as the second leg of the 800 freestyle relay. This was the same as she swam at SECs where she was left off of the 200 freestyle relay. The same most likely will happen here as she is limited to four relays.

Wisconsin did the opposite of Tennessee and Stanford as they took Mackenzie McConagha off both relays after swimming both at B1Gs. McConagha did lead off the 200 medley relay tonight. The change did look as if it paid off though as McConagha split a 1:46.43 at B1Gs and Alana Palmer who swam in her place tonight split a 1:45.91.

The top five teams in the 200 medley relay all held their seeds. The biggest mover was Louisville which was seeded 17th but ended up eighth.

The 800 freestyle relay was a much different top eight. Stanford and Virginia both held their top two seeds whereas Georgia (14th), Louisville (12th), and Florida (15th) moved up to finish in the top eight.

200 Medley Relay Splits

Katharine Berkoff led off NC State’s relay in an unofficial American record. The biggest difference between Virginia and NC State’s relays was that NC State was faster on the front half whereas Virginia was faster on the back half.

School Swimmer Back Split
1 NC State Katharine Berkoff 22.76
2 Virginia Gretchen Walsh 22.81
3 Michigan Maggie MacNeil 23.07
4 Alabama Rhyan White 23.35
5 USC Calypso Sheridan 23.85
6 Louisville Abby Hay 23.86
7 Ohio State Emily Crane 23.89
8 Cal Isabelle Stadden 23.9
9 Gerogia Eboni McCarty 23.94
10 Arkansas Andrea Sandsores De La Fuente 24.02
11 Texas A&M Kaitlyn Owens 24.11
12 Auburn Megan Lee 24.15
13 Arizona Aria Bernal 24.17
13 Kentucky Caitlin Brooks 24.17
14 Indiana Kacey McKenna 24.22
15 UNC Greer Pattison 24.23
16 Wisconsin Mackenzie McConagha 24.24
17 Missouri Meredith Rees 24.26
18 Stanford Regan Smith 24.31
19 Texas Julia Cook 24.43
20 Florida State Tania Quaglieri 24.45
21 Tennessee Josephine Fuller 24.57
22 Northwestern Emma Pelisova 24.73
23 Minnesota (DQ) Jordan McGinty 25.32
School Swimmer Breast Split
1 Ohio State Hannah Bach 25.78
1 Texas Anna Elendt 25.78
2 USC Kaitlyn Dobler 25.89
3 NC State Sophie Hanson 26.05
4 Virginia Alexis Wenger 26.08
5 Northwestern Tara Vovk 26.11
6 Tennessee Mona McSharry 26.2
7 Alabama Avery Wiseman 26.33
8 Cal Leah Polonsky 26.36
9 Arizona Jade Neser 26.56
10 Louisville Kaylee Wheeler 26.68
11 Gerogia Harri Evans 26.71
12 Indiana Noelle Peplowski 26.81
13 Stanford Allie Raab 26.86
14 Kentucky Bailey Bonnett 26.88
15 Michigan Letitia Sim 26.95
16 Minnesota (DQ) Grace Bennin 26.97
17 Arkansas Vanessa Herrmann 27
18 UNC Lilly Higgs 27.03
19 Wisconsin Jenna Silvestri 27.15
20 Florida State Nina Kucheran 27.28
21 Auburn Anastasia Makarova 27.4
22 Texas A&M Bobbi Kennett 27.71
23 Missouri Alex Moderski 27.97
School Swimmer Fly Split
1 Alabama Morgan Scott 22.26
2 Missouri Sarah Thompson 22.31
3 Stanford Emma Wheal 22.47
4 Ohio State KitKat Zenick 22.51
5 Texas Olivia Bray 22.56
6 Virginia Lexi Cuomo 22.72
7 Florida State Jenny Halden 22.8
8 Cal Mia Kragh 22.87
9 Michigan Olivia Carter 22.91
9 Texas A&M Olivia Theall 22.91
10 NC State Abby Arens 22.93
10 Louisville Tristen Ulett 22.93
11 Tennessee Ellen Walshe 23.03
12 Wisconsin Mallory Jump 23.08
13 UNC Sophie Lindner 23.11
14 USC Anicka Delgado 23.28
15 Arizona Julia Heimstead 23.35
16 Gerogia Dakota Luther 23.37
17 Northwestern Miriam Guevara 23.38
18 Indiana Elizabeth Broshears 23.47
19 Auburn Lexie Mulvihill 23.53
20 Kentucky Izzy Gati 23.85
21 Minnesota (DQ) Hannah Cornish 23.91
22 Arkansas Kobie Melton 24.17
School Swimmer Free Split
1 Virginia Kate Douglass 20.55
2 UNC Grace Countie 20.92
3 Ohio State Amy Fulmer 20.98
4 Louisville Gabi Albiero 21.15
5 NC State Kylee Alons 21.22
6 Stanford Anya Goeders 21.33
7 Alabama Kalia Antoniou 21.35
8 Tennessee AJ Kutsch 21.46
9 Cal Elise Garcia 21.47
10 Indiana Ashley Turak 21.57
10 Kentucky Riley Gaines 21.57
11 Northwestern Maddie Smith 21.59
12 Michigan Lindsay Flynn 21.6
13 USC Laticia Transom 21.64
14 Texas Emma Sticklen 21.69
15 Missouri Megan Keil 21.73
16 Wisconsin Sophie Fiske 21.74
17 Florida State Rebecca Moynihan 21.75
18 Arkansas Emily Barclay 21.88
19 Gerogia Gabi Fa’Amausili 21.92
19 Minnesota (DQ) Olivia Bloomer 21.92
20 Texas A&M Chloe Stepanek 21.97
21 Arizona Alyssa Schwengel 22.08
21 Auburn Emma Steckiel 22.08

800 Freestyle Relay

Isabel Ivey led things off for Cal in the fastest flat start split to help them earn a third place finish. Torri Huske was the second fastest lead off split to keep Stanford close behind. Taylor Ruck of Stanford swam the fastest split overall on the second leg to help the Cardinal get the win. Regan Smith had the fastest split of the third leg to help keep the Cardinal in the lead.

Zoie Hartmann anchored in the fastest split of the event to help Georgia earn a fifth place finish.

Leg Swimmer Team Split
1 Isabel Ivey Cal 1:41.35
1 Torri Huske Stanford 1:41.93
1 Kelly Pash Texas 1:42.94
1 Reilly Tiltmann Virginia 1:43.17
1 Arina Openysheva Louisville 1:43.59
1 Amy Fulmer Ohio St 1:43.82
1 Talia Bates Florida 1:43.87
1 Lillie Hosack Wisconsin 1:43.96
1 Morgan Scott Alabama 1:44.15
1 Erica Laning ASU 1:44.17
1 Emma Atkinson Virginia Tech 1:44.23
1 Maxine Parker Georgia 1:44.24
1 Anna Peplowski Indiana 1:44.64
1 Abbey Webb NC State 1:44.65
1 Chloe Stepanek Texas A&M 1:44.67
1 Julia Mrozinski Tennessee 1:44.80
1 Sophie Lindner UNC 1:45.58
1 Megan Glass Michigan 1:45.62
1 Izzy Gati Kentucky 1:45.79
1 Mykenzie Leehy Auburn 1:46.63
1 Jordan McGinty Minnesota 1:47.56
1 Caroline Pennington USC 1:50.23
2 Taylor Ruck Stanford 1:40.49
2 Alex Walsh Virginia 1:41.92
2 Riley Gaines Kentucky 1:42.18
2 Ellen Walshe Tennessee 1:43.48
2 Ekaterina Nikonova Florida 1:43.81
2 Kate Moore NC State 1:44.17
2 Paige Hetrick Louisville 1:44.25
2 Cora Dupre Alabama 1:44.29
2 Ayla Spitz Cal 1:44.37
2 Dune Coetzee Georgia 1:44.39
2 Reka Gyorgy Virginia Tech 1:44.44
2 Emma Nordin ASU 1:44.70
2 Olivia Bray Texas 1:45.03
2 Abby Carlson Wisconsin 1:45.17
2 Katherine Zenick Ohio St 1:45.37
2 Ella Ristic Indiana 1:45.85
2 Jordan Buechler Texas A&M 1:46.18
2 Amy Dragelin UNC 1:46.42
2 Kathryn Ackermann Michigan 1:46.45
2 Marlene Kahler USC 1:46.71
2 Rebekah Hamilton Auburn 1:47.52
2 Hannah Cornish Minnesota 1:48.48
3 Regan Smith Stanford 1:43.35
3 Ella Nelson Virginia 1:43.58
3 Kyla Leibel Texas 1:43.95
3 Kristen Romano Ohio St 1:44.55
3 Micayla Cronk Florida 1:44.56
3 Mia Motekaitis Cal 1:44.59
3 Lindsay Looney ASU 1:44.96
3 Polina Nevmovenko Louisville 1:44.97
3 Brooklyn Douthwright Tennessee 1:45.02
3 Sophie Sorenson Kentucky 1:45.09
3 Sarah Shackelford Virginia Tech 1:45.33
3 Victoria Kwan Michigan 1:45.48
3 Callie Dickinson Georgia 1:45.58
3 Ellie Vannote UNC 1:45.68
3 Alana Palmer Wisconsin 1:45.91
3 Julia Poole NC State 1:46.30
3 Donika Kossakowska Indiana 1:46.37
3 Adair Sand USC 1:46.79
3 Megan Van Berkom Minnesota 1:47.24
3 Kalia Antoniou Alabama 1:47.34
3 Payton Marvin Auburn 1:47.99
3 Aviv Barzelay Texas A&M 1:48.49
4 Zoie Hartman Georgia 1:42.37
4 Brooke Forde Stanford 1:42.53
4 Leah Polonsky Cal 1:43.21
4 Phoebe Bacon Wisconsin 1:44.20
4 Evie Pfeifer Texas 1:44.29
4 Tristen Ulett Louisville 1:44.43
4 Tjasa Pintar Tennessee 1:44.49
4 Olivia Carter Michigan 1:44.52
4 Tylor Mathieu Florida 1:44.72
4 Emma Weyant Virginia 1:44.80
4 Mackenzie Looze Indiana 1:44.81
4 Annabel Crush NC State 1:44.94
4 Mela Delmenico Alabama 1:45.27
4 Erin Milligan ASU 1:45.88
4 Kaitlynn Wheeler Kentucky 1:46.01
4 Heidi Lowe UNC 1:46.11
4 Emily Hetzer Auburn 1:46.31
4 Genieve Sasseville USC 1:47.02
4 Katie Trace Ohio St 1:47.40
4 Maggie Summit Minnesota 1:47.67
4 Rose Pouch Virginia Tech 1:47.71
4 Bobbi Bennett Texas A&M 1:48.79

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Awsi Dooger
2 years ago

Virginia had a long finish on everything. That’s my analysis. And it was so blatant and strange from early in the first relay that I knew darn well it would carry over all night. That had to be coaching emphasis as opposed to all of these individual swimmers deciding upon the same thing.

Taa
2 years ago

Tennessee I am worried maybe we should wait for prelims tomorrow before overreacting

SEC
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

Tennessee added a couple of tenths. Just like UVA and 10-15 other schools. Ellen Walsh swam a best time it looks like for them in addition

Taa
2 years ago

Using Smith turned out to be a “mistake” as they won by five seconds. Maybe I am being too critical but they would have won with almost anyone else taking her place

Snarky
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

Mistake? What, are they going to put her in the 200 free relay?

iLikePsych
Reply to  Snarky
2 years ago

Given her day 4 double and her empty schedule today, maybe that makes sense. Though I think it’s more likely they just leave her off 4 relays

Last edited 2 years ago by iLikePsych
Willswim
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

It was wise to let her swim fast to reaffirm some confidence so she could get past the fluky flip turn thing. Now she doesn’t have to sit all day with that stewing in the back of her mind. They wouldn’t want to use her in the 200 free relay anyway.

jim
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

Rowdy said during the 800 free relay that Regan missed her turn…if you go back and watch it, she definitely did…not too far away, but too close, and when she pushed off, she appeared to push off at the top of the touch pad (almost missing it really) and pushed downward…it was a very strange looking turn that easily added some time to her swim. Maybe a shaky 1st race.

Swim Fan
2 years ago

Congrats Stanford! Go Card!!!

HOO love
2 years ago

Hoos keeping pace with their seed in these relays! love it

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European Championships …

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