NCAA'S Preview.
Insights and predictions
Photo from Jack Spitzer Photography
This year’s editions of the Mens and Womens NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships are set to be quite the showdown, here’s a brief rundown of who to look out for and in what event:
50 free:
Gretchen Walsh is the heavy favorite coming into the meet expect her to drop something crazy fast, rumor has it she wasn’t even tapered she she broke the NCAA record last month, regardless it going to be fast. Jordan Crooks, with the nation leading 17.99 looks to defend his title against the likes of Josh Liendo, Bjorn Seeliger, and Chris Guiliano. This race is a must-see TV.
100 free:
Josh Liendo might face some stiff competition from the likes of Chris Guiliano, Bjorn Seeliger, Jack Alexy, and Jordan Crooks. The usual suspect, Gretchen Walsh is the top seed fresh off breaking the NCAA record at ACC’s this year, the only question on everyone’s mind is will she break 44?
200 free:
This one shapes up to be quite the showdown between Charlie Hawke, Maguire McDuff, Chris Guiliano, and the reigning champ Luke Hobson. Standout Florida freshman Bella Sims is the top seed heading into the meet, but can fellow freshman Minna Abraham and upperclassmen Isabel Ivy and Anna Peplowski do anything about it? We shall see.
500 free:
Again Bella Sims comes in as the top seed. But Rachel Stege isn’t far behind at all, this race shapes up to be quite the treat. Well…… Leon Marchand did just break the NCAA record last month, and I would be lying if I didn’t mention that I expect him to do it again, but Jake Magahey, Zalán Sarkany, and possibly Luke Hobson might have a few words of their own to say to that.
100 back:
NC State’s Katherine Berkoff is the heavy favorite to sit on top of the podium, though she’s up against the likes of Isabelle Stadden and Kacey McKenna, it's going to be quite the race to watch. Hubert Kos comes in as the top seed, fresh off an amazing season, but Johnny Marshall, reigning champ Brendan Burns, and Destin Lasco are poised and ready to give him a race. This race is must-see TV.
200 back:
Again Bella Sims looks like the heavy favorite coming into the meet though the likes of Isabelle Stdden and Josephine Fuller will be trying their hardest to take that top spot for themselves. On the men’s side, we have a good old-fashioned showdown between Hubert Kos and reigning champ Destin Lasco. Cal vs ASU. As they say, may the best man win.
100 fly:
She’s back, Gretchen Walsh has her eyes fixed on one thing and one thing only breaking 48.00. Will she do it? Who knows? I bet you that she does. The rest of us will just have to wait and see. Must see TV. All eyes are on three people, Josh Liendo, reigning champ Youssef Ramadan, and Andrei Minakov. Do you want to know who my dark horse is? Illya Kharun
200 fly:
Well, I will tell you one thing, the winner will probably be from Texas. Between Emma Sticklen and Kelly Pash someone’s going to strike gold. Illya Kharun comes in as the heavy favorite, he will probably win, but Andrei Minakov and Brendan Burns could give him a good race.
100 breast:
The men’s 100 breast looks like a free for all, im being honest check Swimcloud. The top 7 times this year are all within 0.2 of each other. But my pick, in case you were interested, is Liam Bell. On the women’s side, it isn’t as complicated, Mona McSharry looks to challenge Kaitlyn Dobler, the reigning champ from last year. It should be a fun race to watch.
200 breast:
This is the second last stop on the Leon Marchand train. He looks poised to win this event again this year, though Matt Fallon might give him a good race. We have another good ol’ showdown on our hands, between Alex Walsh and Mona McSharry. Is the record under threat? Probably not, but who knows?
200 im:
No Leon Marchand! But never mind Hubert Kos stepped in as the new top seed. He better watch out though, Destin Lasco knows how to win and this won’t be the first time these two have faced off against one another. My dark horse: Owen McDonald. Alex Walsh comes in with the top seed. But Isabel Ivy and Josephine Fuller will give her one heck of a race. Must see TV.
400im:
We are set to have another close one between Alex Walsh and Emma Weyant with the likes of Caroline Bricker not far behind. I think after Leon completely rewrote the NCAA record books, we might be a little enthusiastic with our predictions about how fast he can go. All I will say is this, he will probably win, will he break his record? Maybe, either way, it will be fast.
1650 free:
Abby McCullough looks poised to win it this year, but watch out for Ching See Gan and Aurora Roghair. To me, this race comes down to 4 people, Zalán Sarkany, Ross Dant, Owen Lloyd, and Krzysztof Chmielewski. It will be a long and hard-fought battle, but the finishes are always a blast.
Rapid fire relay predictions:
800 free: Women= Virginia, or Florida, Men= Florida dark horse: ASU
400 free: Women= Virginia, Men= Florida or ASU dark horse: Cal
200 free: Women= Virginia, Men= Florida or NC State
200 med: Women= Virginia, Men = ASU
400 med: Women= Virginia, Men = ASU or Cal
as always, Stay tuned and swim fast 🏊🏽♂️💨.