SwimSwam Pulse is a recurring feature tracking and analyzing the results of our periodic A3 Performance Polls. You can cast your vote in our newest poll on the SwimSwam homepage, about halfway down the page on the right side.
Our most recent poll asked SwimSwam readers which upcoming midseason meet on the college schedule they’re most excited for:
Question: Which midseason NCAA meet are you looking forward to the most?
RESULTS
- Power 4 Dual Challenge (UVA, Tennessee, ASU, Michigan) – 59.1%
- Texas Hall of Fame Invite (Texas, Stanford W, USC) – 23.2%
- UGA Fall Invite (Georgia, Florida, Alabama, FSU) – 5.7%
- OSU Fall Invite (OSU, Indiana, Louisville, Notre Dame) – 4.9%
- Wolfpack Elite Invite (NC State, VA Tech, Auburn, Arizona) – 4.7%
- Minnesota Invite (Minnesota, Cal, Harvard) – 2.5%
Midseason invitational meets are on the horizon, with SIU hosting the A3 Performance Invite this week before a full slate of action kicks off next week.
However, there’s a twist to this year’s invites with the CSCAA’s inaugural Power 4 Dual Challenge, which will feature Tennessee hosting Virginia, Arizona State and Michigan in a bracket-style double elimination tournament.
With four of the best programs in the country converging for one meet, not to mention in a unique style, it’s no surprise that well over half of readers, 59.1%, are looking forward to the Power 4 Dual Challenge.
The Virginia women have long been the best female program in the country, and despite the Walsh sisters graduating after last season, the Cavaliers have plenty of high-end talent with the likes of Claire Curzan (200 back, 100 fly), Sara Curtis (50 free), Anna Moesch (100/200 free) and Aimee Canny (200 IM) all owning nation-leading times heading into next week.
Michigan’s Bella Sims ranks 1st in the NCAA in the 100 back and 2nd in the 200 free, and she’ll also be at the meet, as will Tennessee’s Camille Spink (ranked 2nd in 100 free, 3rd in 50 free) and McKenzie Siroky (ranked 3rd in 100 breast), who have also had strong starts to the campaign.
On the men’s side, Arizona State is the headlining team at the Power 4 Dual Challenge after climbing to 2nd in the CSCAA November Power Rankings, with Ilya Kharun leading the nation in three events (50 free, 100 fly, 200 fly) and Adam Chaney holding the NCAA’s top time in the 100 back and ranking 2nd in the 200 back.
Host Tennessee is led by Gui Caribe, ranked 3rd in the 50 free, while Virginia is highlighted by the star freshmen duo of Thomas Heilman and Maximus Williamson.
Of course, in this format, winning events and securing points will be the primary objective, as opposed to posting fast times like we see at invitational meets, so it will be interesting to see how things play out over the three days. Will top swimmers save their best performances for the last day? Will fatigue play a factor? Or will everyone just go all out from the jump?
The only other option in the poll earning a significant number of votes was the Texas Hall of Fame Invite, which checks out given the juggernaut that is the Longhorn men’s team.
The reigning NCAA champions have Rex Maurer (500 free, 400 IM), Will Modglin (200 back), Nate Germonprez (100 breast) and Baylor Nelson (200 IM) all owning a nation-leading time already this season, and that’s without Hubert Kos, fresh off setting a pair of world records at the World Cup, having suited up yet for the team.
The Texas women have also looked good this season, including freshman Eva Okaro setting a new program record in the 100 free (47.06) and Campbell Stoll owning an NCAA-leading time in the 200 fly.
The meet will also feature the Stanford women, who are led by Torri Huske and Caroline Bricker, both reigning NCAA champions who currently rank 1-2 in the nation in the 400 IM.
Below, vote in our new A3 Performance Poll, which asks: What are your thoughts on the swimming schedule for the LA Olympics?
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ABOUT A3 PERFORMANCE
The A3 Performance Poll is courtesy of A3 Performance, a SwimSwam partner.
Will invitationals follow the new NCAA format? If so, I’ll be interested to see how a lot of people do in their new third event