Wednesday, March 16, 2022
National Team Women Set Sights on NCAA Division I Championships
The much-anticipated showdown of who’s who in collegiate swimming starts this week, and USA Swimming’s National Team stars are ready to shine.
The National Team traditionally includes the top six swimmers in each event, and even with the success of the reigning older veterans who have since graduated, more than half of the National Team will still be competing at the 2022 NCAA’s.
The best of the best will compete March 16-19 at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, Georgia, where the Virginia Cavaliers will have plenty to contend with defending their championship title.
In past decades, the west coast women dominated. But with the emergence of others climbing the ranks, and with fast freshman quickly filling the gap left by graduating seniors, NCAA’s are anything but predictable now. Virginia, Tennessee, NC State, Indiana, Alabama and Texas are closing in on Stanford, Cal and Texas, and all are poised to take this year’s championship crown.
The biggest races this year in the women’s division will most likely be the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly, as they are loaded with talent and could be anyone’s race, and it's the National Team swimmers who siting pretty in the lineups.
In the 50 free, Virginia Cavaliers Kate Douglass and Gretchen Walsh will battle it out, looking to break the 21-second barrier, with their entries of 21.00 and 21.04 respectively, the third and fourth fastest performances ever.
The 100 butterfly should prove just as exciting as Douglass is back at it, contending against fellow National Teamers and Olympians, Tori Huske (Stanford) and Rhyan White (Alabama). Huske is the top seed and Olympic finalist in this event. White, a predominant backstroker, is pulling double duty with two events this day. With the top three seeds already at sub :50, this 100 butterfly will be another fast and exciting event, where hundredths could separate the winner.
Look to Alex Walsh (Virginia) to take down Stanford’s 400 IM legacy. She currently holds the ACC Record, and has been swimming fast all season. Fellow National Teamer Emma Weyant (Virginia) is also a top seed here, and coming in as the Tokyo silver medalist in this event. Both Cavaliers will give Stanford a challenge but it might take a sub 4-minute to win it.
More exciting action will come when Alex Walsh and Huske square up in the 200 IM, with only one tenth separating their top two seed times. Walsh is first but only by four hundredths. Huske is the Olympic silver medalist from her fly leg in the relay, so expect an early lead from her. The difference should be on the breaststroke, where Walsh should shine. Look for closing speed from Walsh as well; this will be a very close finish.
The 100 backstroke is deep with sub-:50 talent. National Teamers with top seeds are White, Katharine Berkoff (NC State) and Regan Smith (Stanford), who have all had an outstanding season so far. Isabelle Stadden (Cal) and Phoebe Bacon (Wisconsin) are also seeded in the top ten and can easily make some noise here.
Gretchen Walsh and Berkoff are coming in as top seeds in the 100 freestyle, both with a :46. Huske is right behind with a :47.0, and much like the 50, the quick sprint is really anyone’s for the taking.
In the 100 breaststroke, Kaitlyn Dobler (USC) is the only top ten swimmer from the National Team. She comes in seated third with a 57.31. This 100 sprint will be another close race, but look for Dobler to podium here.
Onto the distance, Emma Nordin (ASU) and Erica Sullivan (Texas) are seeded third and ninth respectively for the 1650 free. The top ten seeds are all sub 16 minutes; that’s holding 57’s the entire race.
Four of the five top seeds in the the 200 backstroke are on the National Team: Smith, Stadden, White, and Bacon all have a real shot at titling here. Smith is top seed here with a 1:48.91, as well as top seed in her other two events—100 backstroke and 200 butterfly plus four relays—and is looking to cinch all the titles in her busy week.
It’s Douglass again as top seed in the 200 breaststroke. Her entry 2:03.14 entry puts her over a half second ahead of the field. National Team teammate Ella Nelson (UVA), seated fourth with a 2:04.95, also has a great shot to podium here.
Finally, the 200 butterfly—arguably the beast of all events—closes the individual races with Smith looking to celebrate what could be the culmination of several victories this week. She leads by a half second coming in, accompanied by fellow National Team teammates Olivia Carter (Michigan), seeded third, and Kelly Pash (Texas) seeded eighth.
Several variables effect the equation of team scores, especially relays and diving points, but this year, Virginia is looking to be the heavy crown favorite. The National Team swimmers who are competing at NCAA’s this week have worked hard all season to earn their spot and will get to reap those benefits of success; for swim fans, it means a thrilling and exciting week of competition.
Be sure to check back for live results to cheer on your favorite swimmers!
The National Team traditionally includes the top six swimmers in each event, and even with the success of the reigning older veterans who have since graduated, more than half of the National Team will still be competing at the 2022 NCAA’s.
The best of the best will compete March 16-19 at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, Georgia, where the Virginia Cavaliers will have plenty to contend with defending their championship title.
In past decades, the west coast women dominated. But with the emergence of others climbing the ranks, and with fast freshman quickly filling the gap left by graduating seniors, NCAA’s are anything but predictable now. Virginia, Tennessee, NC State, Indiana, Alabama and Texas are closing in on Stanford, Cal and Texas, and all are poised to take this year’s championship crown.
The biggest races this year in the women’s division will most likely be the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly, as they are loaded with talent and could be anyone’s race, and it's the National Team swimmers who siting pretty in the lineups.
In the 50 free, Virginia Cavaliers Kate Douglass and Gretchen Walsh will battle it out, looking to break the 21-second barrier, with their entries of 21.00 and 21.04 respectively, the third and fourth fastest performances ever.
The 100 butterfly should prove just as exciting as Douglass is back at it, contending against fellow National Teamers and Olympians, Tori Huske (Stanford) and Rhyan White (Alabama). Huske is the top seed and Olympic finalist in this event. White, a predominant backstroker, is pulling double duty with two events this day. With the top three seeds already at sub :50, this 100 butterfly will be another fast and exciting event, where hundredths could separate the winner.
Look to Alex Walsh (Virginia) to take down Stanford’s 400 IM legacy. She currently holds the ACC Record, and has been swimming fast all season. Fellow National Teamer Emma Weyant (Virginia) is also a top seed here, and coming in as the Tokyo silver medalist in this event. Both Cavaliers will give Stanford a challenge but it might take a sub 4-minute to win it.
More exciting action will come when Alex Walsh and Huske square up in the 200 IM, with only one tenth separating their top two seed times. Walsh is first but only by four hundredths. Huske is the Olympic silver medalist from her fly leg in the relay, so expect an early lead from her. The difference should be on the breaststroke, where Walsh should shine. Look for closing speed from Walsh as well; this will be a very close finish.
The 100 backstroke is deep with sub-:50 talent. National Teamers with top seeds are White, Katharine Berkoff (NC State) and Regan Smith (Stanford), who have all had an outstanding season so far. Isabelle Stadden (Cal) and Phoebe Bacon (Wisconsin) are also seeded in the top ten and can easily make some noise here.
Gretchen Walsh and Berkoff are coming in as top seeds in the 100 freestyle, both with a :46. Huske is right behind with a :47.0, and much like the 50, the quick sprint is really anyone’s for the taking.
In the 100 breaststroke, Kaitlyn Dobler (USC) is the only top ten swimmer from the National Team. She comes in seated third with a 57.31. This 100 sprint will be another close race, but look for Dobler to podium here.
Onto the distance, Emma Nordin (ASU) and Erica Sullivan (Texas) are seeded third and ninth respectively for the 1650 free. The top ten seeds are all sub 16 minutes; that’s holding 57’s the entire race.
Four of the five top seeds in the the 200 backstroke are on the National Team: Smith, Stadden, White, and Bacon all have a real shot at titling here. Smith is top seed here with a 1:48.91, as well as top seed in her other two events—100 backstroke and 200 butterfly plus four relays—and is looking to cinch all the titles in her busy week.
It’s Douglass again as top seed in the 200 breaststroke. Her entry 2:03.14 entry puts her over a half second ahead of the field. National Team teammate Ella Nelson (UVA), seated fourth with a 2:04.95, also has a great shot to podium here.
Finally, the 200 butterfly—arguably the beast of all events—closes the individual races with Smith looking to celebrate what could be the culmination of several victories this week. She leads by a half second coming in, accompanied by fellow National Team teammates Olivia Carter (Michigan), seeded third, and Kelly Pash (Texas) seeded eighth.
Several variables effect the equation of team scores, especially relays and diving points, but this year, Virginia is looking to be the heavy crown favorite. The National Team swimmers who are competing at NCAA’s this week have worked hard all season to earn their spot and will get to reap those benefits of success; for swim fans, it means a thrilling and exciting week of competition.
Be sure to check back for live results to cheer on your favorite swimmers!