2025 Women’s Big Ten Fan Guide: Indiana Eyeing Back-to-Back Titles Amid USC and UCLA Additions

BIG TEN CONFERENCE – WOMEN

• Dates: Wednesday, February 19 – Saturday, February 22
• Location: McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion, Columbus, OH
• Teams: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin
• Defending champions: Indiana (1x)
• Championship Central
• Live Results
• Live Video: B1G+

EVENT SCHEDULE

Wednesday (2/19)

• 200 medley relay
• 800 free relay

Thursday (2/20)

• 200 IM
• 50 freestyle
• 500 freestyle
• 400 medley relay

Friday (2/21)

• 100 butterfly
• 400 IM
• 200 freestyle
• 100 breaststroke
• 100 backstroke
• 200 freestyle relay

Saturday (2/22)

• 200 backstroke
• 100 freestyle
• 200 breaststroke
• 200 butterfly
• 1650 freestyle (timed finals)
• 400 freestyle relay

2024 FINAL TEAM SCORES

1. Indiana – 1359 
2. Ohio State – 1358.5
3. Michigan – 1207
4. Wisconsin – 978
5. Minnesota – 816
6. Purdue – 572.5
7. Northwestern – 463.5   
8. Nebraska – 409
9. Penn State – 382  
10. Rutgers – 363.5
11. Iowa – 303  
12. Illinois – 204

Last season saw Indiana snap Ohio State’s 4-year win streak by just half a point, while Michigan was 3rd again. For the 2nd year in a row, Wisconsin finished 4th and Minnesota rounded out the top 5. The big story with the Big Ten this season, however, is the additions of USC and UCLA, which should shake things up and brings the number of teams at this meet to 14.

STARS

ILLINOIS – Sara Jass (junior IM/breast), Sydney Stoll (senior free/back/fly/IM), Logan Kuehne (senior fly/sprint free), Chloe Diner (freshman breast/IM), Kayla Duran (freshman breast), Liv Dorshorst (sophomore distance free)

Illinois’ program has continued to improve in head coach Jeana Kempe‘s 3rd season. This season has seen an immediate impact from freshmen breaststrokers Chloe Diner and Kayla Duran, both of whom have set the program record in the 100 breast already this season. It’s Diner who currently holds the record with her season best of 1:01.07, but Duran is just behind in 1:01.13. In the 200 breast, the roles have flipped, and Duran is the top swimmer so far on Illinois’ roster, holding a season best of 2:13.78, while Diner is 2:14.30. While Duran is pretty much purely a breaststroker, Diner is also an excellent 200 IM’er, having gone her career best of 1:58.32 earlier this season, which is also the Illinois program record in the event.

Sydney Stoll is another record-breaker for the Illini this season. The senior clocked a 53.97 in the 100 fly at Illinois dual meet against Nebraska last month, marking a program record in the event. Stoll is Illinois’ leading 200 freestyler this season as well, holding a season best of 1:47.54, which is just 0.01 seconds off her career best of 1:47.53. She’s also a very strong 200 IM’er having been 2:00.50 this season and having a career best of 1:59.73 from last year’s Big Tens. Stoll is Illinois’ top 100 freestyler so far this season as well (49.73).

Junior Sara Jass is in a similar vein. Jass is Illinois’ 2nd-fastest 200 IM’er on the season, having clocked a 1:59.77 at Illinois’ dual meet against Purdue last month. January was a great month for Jass, who also swam her season best of 2:14.74 in the 200 breast last month. She clocked her season best of 4:16.02 in the 400 IM, which is Illinois’ top time of the season. Diner is right behind her with a 4:16.30.

After redshirting last season due to injury, junior Liv Dorshorst is back to lead Illinois’ distance squad. Dorshorst is the leading 500 freestyler on the roster by a wide margin, holding a season-best of 4:49.04. She’s been as fast as 4:47.63 in her career. Dorshorst also holds a season-best of 16:49.29 in the 1650 free, but has a career-best of 16:33.79.

Senior Logan Kuehne has had an excellent season as well, leading the sprint squad this year. Kuehne set the Illinois program record in the 50 free at the Hawkeye Invite in November with her career best of 22.68. She’s also a strong 100 flyer, having gone 54.80 already this season, which is 2nd on Illinois’ depth chart.

INDIANA – Anna Peplowski (senior free), Kristina Paegle (junior sprint free), Miranda Grana (sophomore fly/back), Ching Gan (senior distance free), Mariah Denigan (senior distance free), Kacey McKenna (senior backstroke) 

Indiana returns many of their highest-impact swimmers from last season, including senior Anna Peplowski. The 2022 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and 2023 Big Ten Swimmer of the Year, Peplowski concluded last season with a 2nd-place finish in the 200 free (1:40.97) at NCAAs. Peplowski currently leads the NCAA in the 200 free this season, having clocked her season best of 1:41.63 at Indiana’s dual meet against Michigan in January. She’s also Indiana’s leading swimmer in the 100 free (47.68) and 500 free (4:37.06) this season.

Junior Kristina Paegle is back to lead the IU sprint effort. Paegle currently holds a season-best of 21.81, which she just swam on January 31st at IU’s dual meet with Louisville. Her season best in the 100 free sits at 48.11. Paegle has a strong 200 free to boot, coming in at 1:46.13 already this season.

The Hoosiers have an incredible backstroke duo this year in sophomore Miranda Grana and senior Kacey McKenna. Last season, McKenna exploded for IU, clocking her career best of 50.23 in the 100 back at NCAAs and going 1:53.57 in the 200 at Big Tens. Meanwhile, Grana transferred in after spending her freshman season at Texas A&M. She’s nearly as fast as McKenna in the 100 back, boasting a PB of 50.65, but she’s the faster 200 backstroker, already having gone 1:50.50 this season. Grana brings some great fly speed to the equation as well, already having clocked her career best of 51.10 in the 100 fly this season.

IU also boasts a phenomenal distance duo in Ching Gan and Mariah Denigan, both of whom are seniors. Gan has been better to this point in the season, having gone 4:39.73 in the 500 free and 15:54.48 in the 1650 free. Her mile comes in 8th in the NCAA so far this season, and 2nd in the Big Ten. Denigan, on the other hand, has been 4:42.52 in the 500 and 16:06.12 in the 1650 so far this season.

IOWA – Rachel Dildine (freshman free/fly/IM), Alix O’Brien (senior free), Nora Kemp (freshman free), Annie Galvin (senior back/IM), Olivia Swalley (sophomore breast/IM) 

This Iowa team is being buoyed by its younger swimmers, but let’s start with some of the veteran leadership. Senior Annie Galvin has had a fantastic season to this point, leading the Hawkeyes in both backstroke events. She’s already clocked her career best of 54.30 in the 100 back this season, while her season best of 1:58.66 in the 200 back is just off her career mark of 1:57.57. Galvin is also Iowa’s #2 200 IM’er on the season, holding a season-best of 2:04.16.

Alix O’Brien is another senior who will be one of Iowa’s key contributors at this year’s Big Tens. O’Brien is the Hawkeye’s top 500 freestyler, entering the meet with a season-best of 4:48.53. That time also marks O’Brien’s career best. She’s also been 16:42.33 in the 1650 free, which is another career mark. Sophomore Olivia Frantum is Iowa’s top miler this season with a mark of 16:39.75.

Going hand-in-hand with O’Brien is freshman Nora Kemp, who is Iowa’s #2 500 freestyler on the season with a 4:50.48. While she’s 2nd in that event, Kemp is the leading Hawkeye in the 100 free and 200 free. Kemp has been 1:48.46 in the 200 free already this season, while she’s been 50.84 in the 100 free.

Kemp and fellow freshman Rachel Dildine should make a great sprint free duo for the Hawkeyes for years to come. Dildine is the top 50 freestyler on the roster this season, entering Big Tens with a season-high of 22.90. She’s also right behind Kemp in the 100 free, holding a season-best of 50.84. Additionally, Dildine is Iowa’s top 100 flyer this season, coming in with a 54.94.

Sophomore Olivia Swalley has continued the excellence from her freshman season last year. Swalley has been great in the 200 IM this season, already having gone 1:57.89, which is a career-best. She’s been 4:10.54 in the 400 IM this season as well, which is also her career mark in the event. She’s an ‘A’ final contender in both events for this meet. Swalley’s breaststroke continues to impress as well, particularly her 200 breast, where she’s already been 2:12.42 this season.

MICHIGAN –  Lindsay Flynn (senior sprint free), Stephanie Balduccini (sophomore sprint free/IM), Hannah Bellard (sophomore free/fly/IM), Brady Kendall (junior sprint free/fly), Rebecca Diaconescu (freshman distance free), Letitia Sim (senior breast)

This Michigan team filled their biggest missing piece from last season – an elite breaststroker. Senior Letitia Sim is  back for the Wolverines after taking an Olympic redshirt last season. Sim was dealing with an illness at the mid-season invite this season, which caused her to miss a few races at the meet, but even so, she’s managed to put up a 59.46 in the 100 breast and a 2:10.66 in the 200 so far this season. At Sim’s last NCAAs (2023), she won the ‘B’ final of the 100 breast with a 58.48 and she holds a career-best of 58.34. Moreover, Sim lowered her career best in the LCM 100 breast to 1:06.86 last season during her redshirt, so she should easily be one of Michigan’s stars at these Big Ten Championships. Keep in mind, Sim helps the Wolverine medley relays out a ton in addition to her individual impact.

After a stellar freshman season, Brazilian Olympian Stephanie Balduccini has been even better in her sophomore campaign. Balduccini put up a career-best 1:41.85 in the 200 free at mid-season, which was the fastest 200 free in the NCAA for a while this season. Heading into Big Tens, she’s now 2nd in the NCAA. Balduccini leads Michigan in the 100 free with her season best of 47.33, which currently ranks 6th in the NCAA. Though Balduccini is a good 50 freestyler, she’s really developed in the 200 IM since arriving at Michigan, and she leads the team in that event this season with a 1:55.82.

Another sophomore who has really shown out for the Wolverines this season is Hannah Bellard. She leads the team in the 500 free this season with her career best of 4:34.77, which also stands as the 6th-fastest time in the NCAA this season. The sophomore also leads the Wolverines in the 400 IM this season with the 4:07.87 she swam at midseason, which is also her career best in the event. It’s worth noting that Bellard also just went 4:09.82 at Michigan’s February 1st dual meet against Miami (OH). Historically Bellard’s best event, she’s also Michigan’s top 200 flyer this season with a 1:53.45. Bellard also swam a career-best of 1:44.62 in the 200 free at their dual meet with Miami (OH), and though she won’t swim it individually, that’s a great sign for Michigan’s 800 free relay.

Michigan has a great 500 free duo in Bellard and freshman Rebecca Diaconescu. At mid-season, Diaconescu popped a huge career best of 4:35.03 in the 500, finishing just a tick behind Bellard. That time makes Diaconescu the 7th-fastest 500 freestyler in the NCAA this season heading into Big Tens. The freshman is just as good in the 1650 free, where she’s already gone 15:56.12 this season. She stands at 8th in the NCAA currently in that event. Though it’s not quite on the same level as her 500 and 1650, Diaconescu has a very solid 200 free to boot, having already gone 1:44.46 this season.

Senior Lindsay Flynn leads Michigan in the 50 free this season, making her critical to their efforts both individually and as a relay swimmer. Flynn has already been 21.89 in the 50 free this season, a time which she swam in Michigan’s dual meet with Indiana in mid-January. That also stands as Flynn’s career-best in the event. She’s been great in the 100 free this season as well, holding a season best of 47.83, which is just off her career best of 47.50 from the 2022 NCAAs. Flynn also just hit a career-best of 53.30 in the 100 fly Michigan’s dual meet against Miami (OH), so it will be interesting to see how she does in that race at Big Tens.

Junior Brady Kendall is another key piece of Michigan’s sprint group. Kendall came on huge for the Wolverines at the end of last season, putting up career bests of 21.69 in the 50 free and 51.72 in the 100 fly, while playing a huge role on relays as well. She’ll be looking to do the same things this season. Kendall’s been 22.27 in the 50 free so far this season, as well as 52.09 in the 100 fly.

MINNESOTA – Ava Yablonski (junior back), Katie McCarthy (sophomore distance free), Eliot Kennedy (senior distance free), Claire Reinke (sophomore fly), Livi Wanner (freshamn sprint free), Vivi Del Angel (junior diver)

Junior Vivi Del Angel is back for Minnesota and likely to be their highest-scoring athlete. The reigning Big Ten Diver of the Year, Del Angel is also the reigning NCAA Champion in platform diving. She represents a serious threat in all 3 diving events.

Freshman Livi Wanner has been huge for the Golden Gophers in her freshman campaign. She’s the top sprinter on the roster, having put up excellent times for a freshman already this season. Wanner just went 22.18 in the 50 free at the Minnesota Triple Duals just a couple of weeks ago. She also clocked a 48.42 in the 100 free at that meet. Both of those performances mark career bests for Wanner. She’s not quite as strong in the 200 free, but has still put up a very solid 1:48.17 in the event this season.

Minnesota also has its distance duo of Katie McCarthy and Eliot Kennedy. The pair have been almost identical this season, with McCarthy holding a season-best of 4:41.57 in the 500 free to Kennedy’s 4:41.69. In the 1650 free, Kennedy has been 16:08.24 this season, while McCarthy has been 16:08.27. Of note, Kennedy just swam a 9:33.64 in the 1000 free at the Minnesota Triple Duals, so she has some momentum coming into this meet. McCarthy is also a strong 400 IM’er, holding a season-best of 4:11.96. Kennedy has been 4:16.35 this season.

Ava Yablonski has continued to make gains in her sophomore season at Minnesota. The program’s top backstroker, she’s already clocked a career best of 51.99 in the 100 back this season. Her season best of 1:55.09 in the 200 back also stands as her career best in the event. Yablonski has a strong 100 fly as well, holding a season-best of 53.44.

Claire Reinke has established herself as Minnesota’s top flyer in her sophomore season. Reinke leads the Golden Gophers in the 100 fly this year with a 52.14, putting up a team-leading 1:57.02 in the 200 fly to boot.

NEBRASKA – Maia Hall (senior breast), Gena Jorgenson (junior distance free), Jojo Randby (senior breaststroke), Anna Vlachou (sophomore free/fly), Beatrix Tanko (sophomore fly/free)

After finishing 8th in the 1650 free at last season’s NCAAs, junior Gena Jorgenson is back to lead this Nebraska squad into Big Tens. Jorgenson is one of the top distance swimmers in the NCAA, holding a season-best of 16:07.95 this year. She’s coming off a very successful summer, wherein she finished 11th in the LC 800 free and 12th in the 1500 free at the US Olympic Trials. Jorgenson’s career-best in the 1650 free stands at 15:55.71. So far this season, she’s also been 4:41.85 in the 500 free, which is within a second of her career best. Jorgenson will have an option for her 3rd event at this meet, as she leads Nebraska in both the 200 free (1:48.31) and 400 IM (4:13.78) this season.

Nebraska also returns their excellent breaststroke duo of Maia Hall and Jojo Randby for their senior seasons. Hall has already been under 1:00 in the 100 breast this season, boasting a season-best of 59.97, while Randby is close behind in 1:00.34. That time stands as Hall’s career best. Hall is also the top 200 breaststroker on the season, coming in with a season-best of 2:11.58, while Randby is further back there with a 2:13.20. On top of her breaststroke speed, Hall is also Nebraska’s fastest 200 IM’er to this point in the season, holding a season-best of 2:00.72. Meanwhile, Randby is one of Nebraska’s best 50 freestylers, coming into the meet with a season best of 23.20.

Following a great freshman year last season, Beatrix Tanko continues to be a key piece for Nebraska. The sophomore is the leading Husker in the 50 free this season, holding a season-best of 22.72. Tanko is also the #2 100 freestyler (49.59) and 100 flyer (53.46) on the roster to this point in the season.

Fellow sophomore Anna Vlachou has really shined in the 100 fly for Nebraska this season, having gone 53.38 already. Vlachou is set to be a contributor in the sprint free events as well, as she’s been 23.12 in the 50 free and 50.19 in the 100 free this season.

NORTHWESTERN – Maggie Papanicholas (sophomore breast), Nikki Venema (fifth-year sprint free), Lindsay Ervin (junior sprint free), Sophie Martin (freshman fly/IM), Grey Davis (freshman back/IM)

Northwestern returns most of their best swimmers from last year, and has a few key additions. Nikki Venema is one such swimmer. She spent her undergrad at Princeton, where she was an Ivy League champion and NCAA qualifier. After taking last season off, she joined Northwestern as a grad student. Her addition is huge for the Wildcats, as she’ll be very helpful both individually and on relays. Venema is Northwestern’s top sprinter so far this season, already having gone 22.33 in the 50 free. She also leads the roster in the 200 free, where she’s been 1:45.59 this season. Venema is 2nd in the 100 free to this point, holding a season-best of 49.00.

Junior Lindsay Ervin makes up the other half of the sprint duo, which should be quite formidable. Ervin has been 22.37 in the 50 free this season, which is 2nd on the roster, but leads the team in the 100 free with a 48.96.

Freshman Sophie Martin has been excellent in her first season with the Wildcats. Martin has already clocked a 52.34 in the 100 fly this season, which leads the team. She’s also the top 200 IM’er on the team, coming into the meet with a season-best of 1:58.45. Martin is Northwestern’s top 100 breaststroker this season as well, holding a season best of 1:00.31. It will be interesting to see if Martin swims the 100 fly/100 breast double on day 3 of the meet, or if she opts to do the 200 breast on day 4 instead, where she has a season-best of 2:12.59.

Sophomore Maggie Papanicholas is Northwestern’s other best breaststroker this season. Papanicholas went her career bests in the 100 breast (1:00.35) and 200 breast (2:11.75) last month. It was a terrific January for the sophomore, as she went her lifetime best in the 200 IM (2:05.57) as well.

Grey Davis is another freshman who has been phenomenal for the Wildcats this season. Davis is the top 100 backstroker on the team through this point in the season, holding a season-best of 53.66. She has a great 200 IM to her name as well, already having gone 1:59.60 this season. Davis’ 3rd event looks like the 200 back, where she’s been 1:58.51 this year.

OHIO STATE – Mia Rankin (senior free/IM), Rachel Bockrath (freshman free), Nyah Funderburke (senior sprint back/free), Sienna Angove (freshman free/IM), Mila Nikanorov (freshman distance free), Teresa Ivan (senior sprint free)

Thus Ohio State team looks very different from the teams that won 4-straight women’s Big Ten titles before finishing 2nd to Indiana by just half a point last season. After graduating a huge class in terms of Big Tens and NCAA scoring ability, the Buckeyes brought in a fantastic freshmen class, which has been swimming very well this season.

One of the brightest additions to the team is freshman distance swimmer Mila Nikanorov, who has been exceptional in her first collegiate season. Nikanorov popped a 15:49.26 in the 1650 at mid-season, which not only leads the Big Ten this season, but is 5th in the NCAA currently as well. She’s Ohio State’s leading 500 freestyler as well, already having gone 4:38.84 this season. Sometimes milers aren’t as strong in the 200 free, however, that doesn’t appear to be the case with Nikanorov. She’s already been 1:46.47 in the 200 free this season, which means she could easily provide some significant scoring in that event as well.

Sienna Angove is another freshman who has really shown out in her first season with the Buckeyes. Angove is Ohio State’s leading 200 freestyler this season, holding a season-best of 1:43.54. She’s the 3rd-fastest swimmer in the Big Ten this season up t0 this point. Angove is also a strong 400 IM’er, holding a season-best of 4:09.68. With the 400 IM and 200 free being back-to-back events at the Big Ten Championships, it will be interesting to see if she ends up swimming both. The 200 IM will pretty clearly be one of Angove’s individual events at this meet, as she holds a season-best of 1:57.62 there. There’s a strong chance Angove swims the 100 free rather than doing the 400 IM/200 free double. She holds a season best of 48.78 in the 100 free.

Rachel Bockrath is making a formidable freshmen duo with Angove. Bockrath is Ohio State’s leading 100 freestyler this season, already having gone 48.24. She’s also 2nd on the roster in the 200 free, holding a season-best of 1:45.20. It’s worth noting that fellow freshman Erin Little has been 48.45 in the 100 free this season, and 1:45.70 in the 200 free.

Returning to lead this Ohio State team is senior Teresa Ivan, who has been a very reliable sprinter throughout her career as a Buckeye. Her season best in the 50 free is 22.12, leading the Ohio State roster. That time may not quite jump off the page, however, Ivan holds a career-best of 21.46, she’s the reigning Big Ten champion in the event, and she was a ‘B’ finalist at NCAAs last season in the event. She’s been 48.57 in the 100 free this season, which is about half a second off her career best of 48.08. Ivan’s 3rd event has historically switched between the 200 free or the 100 back, but whichever one she ends up in, she’ll be a scoring threat.

Nyah Funderburke is another senior set to lead this Buckeye team as they attempt to reclaim the Big Ten crown. Funderburke has become Ohio State’s best sprint backstroker, holding a career best of 51.43 in the 100 back. She’s nearly hit that mark already this season, as she’s been 51.61. She’s a strong 50 freestyler as well, having been 22.57 already this season and holding a career-best of 21.95.

Mia Rankin continues to be a big piece of the Ohio State IM group. Rankin is leading the Buckeyes in the 400 IM this season, holding a season-best of 4:08.74.

PENN STATE – Maura Fluehr (senior free/fly), Morgan Moore (junior free), Catherine Meisner (junior free), Margaret Markvardt (fifth – IM/back/fly)

Fifth-year Margaret Markvardt is making the most of her final season with the Nittany Lions. The Estonian star leads Penn State in a whopping 6 events this season, including the 50 free (22.64), 100 free (48.91), 100 back (52.81), 100 breast (1:01.38), 100 fly (52.16), and 200 IM (1:58.15). Each of those times stands as her personal best as well, and all but the 100 breast came at the Ohio State Invite back in November. Last season, Markvardt swam the 200 IM, 100 back, and 100 fly at Big Tens, and it would seem she’s likely to do the same this year as well.

While Markvardt is Penn State’s fastest sprint freestyler, it seems unlikely she’ll race the 50 or 100 free individually at Big Tens. That leaves senior Maura Fluehr as Penn State’s top 50 freestyler in the individual race. Fluehr comes into the meet with a season-best of 23.15 in the 50 free, which is also her career best. She brings some excellent fly speed into the mix as well, holding a season best of 53.49 in the 100 fly, which is just off her career best of 53.30 from last year’s Big Tens.

Junior Catherine Meisner will once again be one of Penn State’s key swimmers at this meet. Meisner enters the meet as the Nittany Lions’ top 200 freestyler, having been 1:46.10 already this season. That time sits just off her career best of 1:45.95, which she swam at the 2023 Big Tens. Meisner has also been strong in the 100 free this season, having gone 49.41 at the Ohio State Invite, which stands as her career best in the event as well. She’s also been 4:55.62 in the 500 free this season, but has a career-best of 4:47.18.

On the distance end of things, junior Morgan Moore has risen to the challenge. She’s Penn State’s leading 500 freestyler this season, already having gone 4;45.11 in the event, which is also her career best. Moore is also Penn State’s top miler this season, holding a season-best of 16:31.17, which is just off her career best of 16:28.42. She has a solid 200 free behind her as well, having clocked her career best of 1:47.19 at the Ohio State Invite in November.

PURDUE – Hannah Hill (senior free/back), Daryn Wright (junior diver), Sophia McAfee (senior diver), Abby Marcukaitis (junior back), Kate Mouser (sophomore free/back/IM), Kathryn Ackerman (Fifth Year IM)

Senior Hannah Hill is back to help lead this Boilermaker squad into Big Tens. Hill is Purdue’s top sprinter this season, holding the team’s top time in the 50 free (22.32) and 100 free (49.49) this season. She has a solid 100 back to boot, holding a season-best of 54.90. All 3 of those times represent career bests for Hill as well.

Junior Abby Marcukaitis is far and away Purdue’s top backstroker on the season. Marcukaitis has clocked a 52.82 in the 100 back already this season, which also stands as her career best in the event. Moreover, she just clocked a 1:54.46 in the 200 back at the Minnesota Triple Duals on February 1st, which is another career best. Her 200 back notably ranks 10th in the Big Ten this season.

Sophomore Kate Mouser is set to be a critical piece of Purdue’s puzzle for this meet. She’s the Boilermakers’ top performer this season in the 200 free (1:47.10) and 500 free (4:46.11), both of which are career bests. Mouser could go either way with her 3rd event. She’s been 4:15.76 this season in the 400 IM, but she’s also put up her career best of 1:59.09 in the 200 fly.

After spending her undergrad at Michigan, Kathryn Ackerman used her fifth year of eligibility at Purdue. Ackerman is Purdue’s leading IM’er this season, boasting season bests of 1:59.44 in the 200 IM and 4:10.61 in the 400 IM. She’s also been 1:58.21 in the 200 back this season. Ackerman could be huge for the Boilermakers this season, as she holds a career best of 4:05.58 in the 400 IM and 1:57.25 in the 200 IM.

Purdue is, of course, one of the premier diving programs in the NCAA. Junior Daryn Wright should be a huge contributor once again for the Boilermakers. Prior to representing Team USA at the Paris Olympics (10m) this past summer, Wright was an All-American in platform diving and finished 3rd in platform at Big Tens. Sophia McAfee is back for her senior season after earning All-American honors in both 3-meter and platform diving last season.

RUTGERS – Shannon Meadway (Grad back/IM), Molly Urkiel (Grad breast/IM), Jade Smits (Grad free), Elysha Pribadi (sophomore breast/IM), Blanka Berecz (Sophomore fly/free)

Rutgers is being led by a great trio of grad students this season. Molly Urkiel is back for one last season, and is leading the team in a number of events. Urkiel is the top IM’er on the roster this season, holding season bests of 2:00.21 in the 200 IM and 4:13.49 in the 400 IM. Urkiel is also Rutgers’ fastest breaststroker on the season, having gone 1:00.87 in the 100 breast and 2:10.90 in the 200 breast.

Shannon Meadway is another grad student set to be a critical piece for Rutgers next week. Meadway is the 2nd-fastest IM’er on the team in both events. In the 200 IM, she holds a season best of 2:00.51, while she’s been 4:17.50 in the 400 IM. Meadway’s strongest event, however, is the 200 back, where she’s already been 1:57.17 this season.

Jade Smits, another grad student, is the leading sprinter on the team to this point in the season. Smits leads the team with a 51.44 in the 100 free this year, while she’s been 1:49.70 in the 200 free, which is also the top time on the roster. Brooke Thompson holds the fastest 50 free on the roster this season, coming in at 23.60, though, both Urkiel and Smits have been 23.6 this year as well.

Sophomore Elysha Pribadi is set to be a contributor to the depth in breast and IM once again this season. Pribadi is 2nd to Urkiel in the 100 breast this year, having gone 1:01.80. Her 200 breast season best of 2:15.22 sits 3rd on the team this year. She’s also 3rd in the 200 IM behind Urkiel and Meadway, holding a season mark of 2:04.83.

Sophomore Blanka Berecz looks like a probable scorer for Rutgers as well. She’s the leading 200 flyer on the team, already having put up a very strong 1:57.69. She’s also the top 500 freestyler, coming into the meet with a season-best of 4:53.92.

UCLA – Emma Harvey (Grad free/fly), Gizem Guvenc (Redshirt Junior free/fly), Karolina Piechowicz (Freshman breast), Ana Jih-Schiff (Senior breast/IM/free), Rosie Murphy (Junior back/IM), Paige MacEachern (Senior fly/IM)

UCLA is set to make an impact in their first Big Ten Championships. Redshirt junior Gizem Guvenc has been fantastic for the Bruins this season, leading the team in the 100 free (48.45) and 200 free (1:45.30). Guvenc is solid in both the 50 free and 500 free as well, holding season bests of 22.86 and 4:48.31.

Grad student Emma Harvey should be a huge contributor for UCLA as well. Harvey is the leading sprint fly and backstroker on the team this season. She’s already been 51.89 in the 100 fly this year, while she’s been 52.35 in the 100 back. On top of that, Harvey holds the top Bruins time in the 50 free this season, topping out at 22.34. Her 100 free season best of 49.04 is promising as well, at least for relay purposes.

Ana Jih-Schiff is in her senior year and looking like a real threat in a number of events. Firstly, she’s been 2:08.23 in the 200 breast already this season, which ranks 3rd in the Big Ten. Jih-Schiff also holds a 59.47 100 breast season best, which comes in at 4th in the conference. Her 1:57.69 200 IM season high is also a promising look for the Bruins. On top of her breaststroke and IM speed, Jih-Schiff is a valuable relay commodity, holding season bests of 22.76 in the 50 free and 49.72 in the 100 free.

Alongside Jih-Schiff, freshman Karolina Piechowicz has been a huge addition to the Bruins this season in breaststroke. Piechowicz leads the team in the 100 breast to this point, holding a season best of 59.28, which is 2nd in the Big Ten this season. She’s not quite as strong in the 200 breast, but has still been 2:11.67, which puts her in scoring range in the event.

Paige MacEachern is back for her senior year with UCLA, and is set to lead the IM squad once again. MacEachern has been strongest in the 400 IM so far this season, boasting a top time of 4:09.31, which ranks 6th in the conference. She also leads the team in the 200 fly, where she’s been 1:57.77 this year. MacEachern will have to decide between the 200 IM, where she’s been 1:58.19 this season, and the 500 free, where she’s been 4:47.56, for her day 2 event. Historically, it’s been the 200 IM that she swims at championship meets, however, looking at the roster this season, it seems like the Bruins have a little less depth in the 500 than the 200 IM, so it may be worthwhile to have her go in the 500.

Junior Rosie Murphy is looking like a huge piece to the UCLA puzzle as well. Murphy holds the fastest 200 IM time on the roster this season, checking in at 1:57.46. She also leads the 200 back by a considerable margin, having clocked a season best of 1:54.36. Murphy’s 3rd event is the 400 IM, where she’s right behind MacEachern this season with a 4:10.56.

USC – Vasilissa Buinaia (Grad sprint free), Kaitlyn Dobler (Fifth Year breast/free), Minna Abraham (Sophomore free), Macky Hodges (sophomore free/back/IM), Caroline Famous (Grad free/back), Justina Kozan (Junior IM/fly/free), 

This is a veteran-heavy USC squad that could really do some damage in their first Big Ten Championships. The most notable veteran on this roster is Kaitlyn Dobler, who is using her fifth year of eligibility with the team this season. Dobler has been the most consistently elite swimmer on the Trojans roster, and is coming off her best season of her career last season. At the 2023-24 season, Dobler swept the breast events at the Pac-12 Championships, then went on to finish 3rd in the 100 breast (56.67) at NCAAs, and 6th in the 200 breast (2:05.77). This season, Dobler boasts a best of 58.18 in the 100 breast and 2:07.72 in the 200 breast, both of which lead the Big Ten.

Vasilissa Buinaia is one of the top sprinters in the Big Ten this season, and should be critical to the Trojans’ efforts. Buinaia holds a season-best of 21.88 in the 50 free, which comes in at 2nd in the conference this year. She’s also been 48.29 in the 100 free to this point of the season, which is another top 8 performance in the Big Ten.

Minna Abraham, a sophomore, is another elite freestyler on this team. Abraham is USC’s leading 100 freestyler this season, already having gone 47.74 in the event. Abraham’s best event is the 200 free, where she’s holding a season-high of 1:42.01, which is 3rd in the Big Ten. Though Abraham is a good 50 freestyler, her event on that day will be the 200 IM, where she’s been as fast as 1:56.68 this season.

Caroline Famous is back to lead this backstroke squad once again. Famous has been great this year, coming into the meet with a season-best of 51.37. Though Famous doesn’t race the 200 back, she’s an excellent sprint freestyler, holding a season best of 22.12 in the 50 free, and 48.41 in the 100 free.

Macky Hodges is another sophomore who is set to make a huge splash for her team. Hodges is the top 200 backstroker on the roster this season by a wide margin, coming into the meet with a season-best of 1:53.96. Hodges is a fantastic 200 freestyler as well, already having gone 1:44.77 in the 200 free this year. She also holds a season-best of 1:56.69 in the 200 IM.

Junior Justina Kozan is going to be another big piece of the IM puzzle for USC. Kozan is the top 400 IM’er on the roster, already having gone 4:08.76 this season. She also leads the team in the 200 fly, where she’s been 1:55.70. Kozan is a strong 500 freestyler as well, holding a season-high of 4:42.58.

Junior Ashley McMillan is a huge contributor for USC as well. She’s the leading 200 IM’er on the team this season with a time of 1:56.21, and her 400 IM season best of 4:09.04 comes in right behind Kozan.

WISCONSIN – Phoebe Bacon (Fifth Year Back/IM), Paige McKenna (senior distance free), Mackenzie McConagha (senior fly/back), Hazal Ozkan (junior breast), Abby Carlson (senior free), Maggie Wanezek (freshman back/IM)

Phoebe Bacon is back for her fifth year with the Badgers, and she’s set to lead her team into Big Tens one last time. One of the elite backstrokers in the NCAA, Bacon has already been 1:49.66 in the 200 back this season. She’s better in the 200 back than she is in the 100, but Bacon has also already clocked a 50.99 in the 100 back this season. Also a great IM’er, holding a season-best of 1:55.37, which is the top time in the NCAA this season. Bacon has been 1:45.16 in the 200 free this season as well, so she should be helpful on the 800 free relay.

Freshman Maggie Wanezek has been exceptional for the Badgers in her first year with the team. Wanezek gives Wisconsin one heck of a backstroke duo, as she’s their top 100 backstroker so far this season with a 50.96. Of note, She and Bacon are the top 2 100 backstrokers in the Big Ten to this point in the season. Wanezek is great in the 200 back as well, holding a season best of 1:50.62, which comes in 3rd in the conference. Just like Bacon, her non-back event is the 200 IM, where she holds a mark of 1:56.74 this year.

Paige McKenna is back to lead the Badgers distance crew one more time. McKenna is one of the fastest 1650 freestylers in history, holding a career best of 15:40.84. She was the NCAA Champion in the 1650 free in 2022, placed 3rd in the event in 2023, and came in 9th last season. She won the 1650 at Big Tens in both 2022 and 2023. This season, McKenna holds a top time of 16:01.05 in the event. McKenna also comes in with a season-best of 4:43.33 in the 500 free.

Fellow senior Abby Carlson is looking like a threat in the 500 free once again. Carlson has been 4:37.62 in the 500 already this season, which is 4th in the Big Ten. Carlson also leads Wisconsin’s roster in the 200 free this season, holding a season best of 1:44.26. Her season mark of 48.92 in the 100 free looks promising as well.

Senior Mackenzie McConagha is looking to lead the Wisconsin fly group into the meet. McConagha leads Wisconsin’s roster in the 100 fly this season, having been 52.52 so far. She’s also the top 200 flyer on the team, having clocked a 1:55.22. McConagha is a very strong 100 backstroker as well, already having gone 51.86 in the event this season.

Hazal Ozkan is back as Wisconsin’s top breaststroker. The junior has already cracked 1:00 in the 100 breast this season, coming into the meet with a season best of 59.62. She’s even better in the 200 breast, where she clocked a 2:08.46 at mid-season.

SHOWDOWNS

200 free: 

The Big Ten has a very deep group of 200 freestylers, which means this should be an absolutely thrilling race to watch. The fastest 2 200 freestylers in the NCAA so far this season, Indiana’s Anna Peplowski and Michigan’s Stephanie Balduccini, are both in the conference. Peplowski swam a 1:41.63 in Indiana’s dual meet against Michigan in January, while Balduccini went her season best of 1:41.85 at the Georgia Tech Invite in November.

On top of that, USC’s Minna Abraham has already clocked a 1:42.01 this year, which is 3rd in the Big Ten and 5th in the NCAA this season. Abraham holds a career-best of 1:41.38 from last season, while Peplowski has the fastest career best in the field, 1:40.97, which she swam to place 2nd at NCAAs last year. Balduccini’s season best is also her career best.

There’s a bit of a gap behind the top 3 in the conference, however, the 4th-ranked swimmer coming in is Ohio State freshman Sienna Angove. Coming in with a season-best of 1:43.53, Angove is very much a threat in the event. As just a freshman, Angove is a bit of a wildcard, so who knows what we may see out of her racing in her home pool in her first Big Tens.

There’s also a handful of 1:44s in the field coming into the meet. Wisconsin’s Abby Carlson (1:44.26), Michigan’s Rebecca Diaconescu (1:44.46), Michigan’s Hannah Bellard (1:44.62), USC’s Macky Hodges (1:44.77), and Michigan’s Malia Amuan (1:44.87) make up that group. Bellard is unlikely to swim the 200 free individually, as she’s the #2 400 IM’er in the conference this season, and she won’t swim both events.

500 Free: 

Hand-in-hand with the 200 free, the 500 free should also be a phenomenal race. It’s Michigan with the top 2 times in the conference this season, as Hannah Bellard has been 4:34.77, and Rebecca Diaconescu has been 4:35.03. The Wolverine duo is 6th and 7th respectively in the NCAA this season. Those swims represent career bests for both women as well.

There’s a bit of a gap after Diaconescu, then Indiana’s Anna Peplowski comes in as the 3rd-ranked swimmer with her season high of 4:37.06. Though she’s a couple of seconds behind the leaders coming into the meet, Peplowski holds the fastest career best in the field, as she’s been 4:34.06, which she swam to take 3rd in the event at NCAAs last season.

Wisconsin’s Abby Carlson represents a serious threat as well. She’s been 4:37.62 to this point in the season, which isn’t far off her career mark of 4:36.96. Ohio State freshman Mila Nikanorov has been 4:38.84 in the 500 so far this season, which marks her career best in the event as well. Indiana distance ace Ching Gan holds a season-best of 4:39.73, which makes 6 swimmers in the Big Ten who have already been under 4:40 in the event this season. Gan has a career-best of 4:38.91 in the 500.

Given that USC’s Claire Tuggle has been 4:40.13 this season, and Indiana’s Elyse Heiser 4:40.71, it seems to be on the table that we see an ‘A’ final of all sub-4:40 swimmers.

200 IM: 

The Big Ten doesn’t have the same top-end speed as some of the other Power 4 conference in the 200 IM this season, however, it’s a very deep event that should make for a great race. Wisconsin’s Phoebe Bacon is the top performer in the conference this season with a 1:55.37, leading the Big Ten by about half a second. That time puts Bacon 16th in the NCAA this season. Bacon does, however, hold a career best of 1:53.16, which she swam at last year’s NCAAs.

It’s Michigan’s Stephanie Balduccini who is 2nd in the conference coming into the meet, holding a season-best of 1:55.82. Indiana’s Miranda Grana is right behind Balduccini in 1:55.88. Those swims are career bests for both women.

USC then has a trio of 1:56s behind the top 3. Ashley McMillan (1:56.21), Minna Abraham (1:56.68), and Macky Hodges (1:56.69) make up that trio. Those are career bests for McMillan and Hodges, while Abraham has been 1:55.78 before.

Wisconsin freshman Maggie Wanezek is an interesting swimmer coming into the meet. She’s been 1:56.74 this season, and as a freshman, it’s entirely possible she really pops off here. Ohio State’s Paige Hall has also been under 1:57 this season, holding a season-best of 1:56.89.

SWIMSWAM PICKS

1. Indiana
2. Michigan
3. Ohio State
4. USC
5. Wisconsin
6. UCLA
7. Minnesota
8. Purdue
9. Northwestern
10. Nebraska
11. Penn State
12. Illinois
13. Iowa
14. Rutgers

Indiana is the defending champion of this meet, and we’re rolling with the Hoosiers to repeat as Big Ten champions. Ohio State was only half a point behind last season, but they lost more than Indiana from last year’s roster.

Michigan is our pick for 2nd, as they’re a better team than they were last year when they finished 3rd. The Wolverines could absolutely claim their first women’s Big Ten title since 2018 this year, but it will take their best performance to do so.

Newcomer USC is another interesting team heading into this meet. When you look at their top times for the season, they have a roster that could certainly compete for this title.

This is going to be one of the most entertaining Big Ten Championships in recent memory. The addition of USC and UCLA adds depth to an already large conference, bringing the total teams up to 14 for this meet. That should lead to an even more competitive meet, which will make for an even better product for fans.