We are hosting the D3 champs here in Greensboro. This morning lead off relay for Kenyon lady lost her goggles. They fell to the B final tonight while Dennison took 2nd. Tonight Kenyon would have placed 4th but since B final only 9th place points. That may end up being the difference by Sat night. Crazy how close some of these team battles turn into.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

I’m pretty sure this is still UVA’s meet to lose. Florida obviously is swimming really well. But I think UVA’s depth will prevail. And when you have 2 swimmers that likely will win all 3 of their individual events in a championship format, you are hard to beat.

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For sure the depth will matter, but I just looked over a couple events for tomorrow and Florida has a couple swimmers that can make finals, and in the 200 free they crush Virginia. Of course they won the 4x200 relay, so not surprising. It really comes down to who can eeek their way into the finals, and then who swims over their heads to get bodies in the B final. Looks to me if Florida has another good day tomorrow, they would still maybe hold the lead. And I dont think anyone thought that was possible, some great races coming up!!!

UVA is up by 47.5 points after tonight. Florida’s 200 free lineup is definitely strong. Barring a fiasco, I would still expect UVA to be up after tomorrow.

Edit: we can expect a few swimmers to miss the A and B finals that shouldn’t. Happens every year and some just have a poor prelims swim and just miss it. We’ll see if that affects the final outcome.

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Where are you getting the results, because the page I posted only is giving the 200IM for todays finals. Not sure why, all events are in the can, just cannot see them. A reliable link would be much appreciated...

I've seen the updated scores through tonight has UVA up 47.5.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

Ya I just saw the final 200 free relay results, Florida choked big time. If they just do their entered time or a few 100ths faster than it, they get 4th instead of 10th, a 16 point swing. Those are the places a team really need to capitalize on to do well overall, but man those relays were close, 3rd to 9th only .6 seconds apart...

It's funny that's what happened this morning. I was talking with the Kenyon coach 5 mins after it happened, and all you can do is shrug and move on. These are college kids, shit happens, all you can do is move on, but it's wild the smallest of "oh shit" moments can have that type of impact (damn goggles fall off on the opening dive). And then of course you see the heart break on their faces, they know they "fucked up". They came back tonight and finished 9th in B to get max points for what they could, but in the D3 race, it was also going to be basically a 16 point swing. They trail Dennison by 32 points after day 2.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

Swimswam.com will tell you all you want to know and more. :) https://swimswam.com/

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"Anyone can be who they want to be IF they have the HUNGER and the DRIVE."

There's more to life than DI.

DII Nationals were last weekend. Those Colorado Mesa women finished second as a team, highest placing ever. Well done Coach Wender. My advisee is a repeat multi-national title holder AND the DII men's swimmer of the year (again). He's also qualified for the Trials this summer. #RumbleMavs

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#swimmingmatters
Laugh hard. Run fast. Be kind.
The Doctor (#12)

So looks like the real battle will be for 2nd between Texas and Florida. Looked ahead to future events, and both teams have strong prospects in different events. Virginia is putting more distance between, but not as much as I think the pre meet calculations predicted. Some really great swims by our olympic hopefuls, lots of PR's and some records. Trials is going to be brutal having to be top 2 in most events, really have to be on full form for that meet...

Gretchen Walsh split a 48.2 lead off in the 400 medley relay tonight. Faster than any fly split of any other team. Oh and she would have won the individual event with that time.

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To be clear in case any non-swimmers come sneaking around... that means her 100 backstroke leadoff in the 400 Medley Relay was faster than anyone's* 100 butterfly individually.

*anyone not named Gretchen Walsh ;)

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KJ
Swim and Triathlon Coach
AllTerrainEndurance.com
KJ@allterrainendurance.com

I kind of feel sorry for Katharine Berkoff as she has to suspect that she only won the 100 back b/c Gretchen chose to swim the 100 fly. (I know, I know you can only race whoever shows up. :)) Further, it is pretty incredible that Gretchen holds the 100 yd American Record (AR) in 3 out of the 4 strokes: fly, back, and free, plus of course the 50 free AR. She is an amazing talent but her older sister Alex is pretty great also. :)

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"Anyone can be who they want to be IF they have the HUNGER and the DRIVE."

I kind of feel sorry for Katharine Berkoff as she has to suspect that she only won the 100 back b/c Gretchen chose to swim the 100 fly//

Well if that makes you feel sorry, how about just about every dude except the 50 sprinters and Leon Marchand?? Dude could win most every event in the program, certainly would podium all the ones he didnt win. And who knows, maybe even a podium in the 50 free too, guy who goes such a fast 50 breast can probably bust out an 18+...

For sure, we can talk about that next week during the Men's NCAAs. For tonight's finals, the same situation exists with the women's 200 fly: Alex Walsh has the AR by about 2 sec over the other entries, but she chose to swim the 200 breast where she is the top seed.

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"Anyone can be who they want to be IF they have the HUNGER and the DRIVE."

Getting close, after 200 back Texas is only 16pts ahead of Florida, and they kind of choked that race. Had 3 finalists who all underperformed in the final. Texas has a huge line up in the 200 fly, but Fla has a few more in the other events. May come down to relay, Fla has a possible scoring diver too..

Wish I could have seen that 200 back too, probably really hard to know who actually won between the top 3..

Great swim by Ivey from Fla in the 100 free to get 3rd, a 2 point difference now for 2nd and 3rd. Virginia is doing their thing, dominating the meet now with so many making A and B finals...

Great swims from Texas in the 200 breast, and with the 200 fly left I think we can call the podium for the meet;

1. Virginia
2.Texas
3 Florida

Seems like even if Texas were to DQ in the last relay, they would still squeak by with all the points they should get in the fly and 1650...

Now for the mens!!!!

This one single stroke 50 breast is mind blowing.

Ya unbelievable espec his time of 26.7. I've seen a video where a U of Texas swimmer did this in 28.0 but Marchand is clearly in a league of his own. :)

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"Anyone can be who they want to be IF they have the HUNGER and the DRIVE."

This kid is in my mind the greatest overall swimmer of all time, and he is still just a Jr. Yes mind blowing his feel for the water and how to best move through it as quickly as possible. A one stroke 50 breast, which of course means no dolphin kicking beyond the one allowed off the walls and start, and doing a 26+, well has to be intimidating.

I could be spinning my arms as fast as possible doing free and maybe just get touched out by him..Context...

I broke down and am paying the 11 bucks to get ESPN for the month, well worth it to watch these races. So first relay in the books and a minor upset of the favored ASU. Florida took it to them, and Liendo's 18.9 fly split sealed the deal. Remember when that used to be a great free split?? Gators almost broke 1;20, hard to believe that the medley relay is now averaging 20 flat a person.

ASU hung in for 2nd, Cal was 4th and NC state 3rd. In the grand scheme of things, this could be great for Florida and their hopes for a podium, being that the top step has already been granted to Marchand and his ASU team. Gonna be really hard to not have that be the case, but the other teams are all in play for those next spots..

Next up 4x200 relay, wonder if Marchand will lead off and go for a top 200 flat start time?? He already has the fastest ever relay split from last year, and since he is doing the 500 this year, might be a nice audition for NCAA GOAT...

Luke Hobson lead off the B final in a 1;29;13 for a new NCAA record, so only question is it going to last more than one heat> Leon is leading off the A final..Texas a 6;05+ in that B final heat, could win the whole dam thing....

SO that has to be the shortest record ever, Marchand first human to swim under 1;29 for the 200 flat. But Cal was the show, beating Texa's record by over a second in 6;02;26. The bears had a 1;29 split from Julian, then a bunch of 1;30+'s..

Man this meet is going to be so fast, same thing we said last year too. So many guys at 1;30+ and several under, that 200 free is going to be crazy..

So Leon once again is in the record books for another event he never swims. Like I said before, hardly an event in any stroke this guy wouldn't dominate...

Texas got 3rd from the B heat overall, so that is looking good for them and their retiring coach..

So after 2 relays on the first day we have Florida and cal tied at 70, with ASU 2 points back. Those should be the 3 teams at the end, but you just never know about Texas..Cal had not won this 800 relay since the 1980's, when Matt Biondi anchored for the win. If there were odds makers on this one, would have gotten 20 to 1 on cal winning this relay...

Like usual, they are out swimming all expectations in this one meet. Hell, 3 of the guys on that relay were swimming a long course meet during their conference champs..

500 heats going, and already a bunch of 4;09 to 4;11's with 3 heats left to go. Gonna maybe be a sub 4;11 or so to make A final looks like, and 4;12 for B..

And watching all the guys off the walls, virtually every single guy, every single time, takes a breath. Can we put that old coaches must do to rest now??

So 4;11.1 to make A final, and 4;13 flat and under for B final. ASU of course got Leon in at 2nd, but the 2nd seed Sarkany missed and is 2nd in B final. Texas loaded up and got 2 in the A, while ASU has 1 up and 2 down. Great swim by Matheson to get the last spot in 4;13 flat and a lane for the evening for ASU..

Next up 200IM

It looked like Leon was trying something in the prelims, went out in 21+/45+/and 2 flat at the 250, then backed it down for a 4;09. 2 flat at half, that's a 4 flat pace!!!! Thinking 4;04 may be in the cards for the final tonight...

SO now we see why Marchand was moved over to the 500 free, ASU got 3 of their guys in the A final in the 200IM. Great move by Bowman to spread the points around, and instead of taking your own teams points away, take them away from other teams in a different event. Of course can only happen with a guy like Leon, who can win so many different events..

1;41 and under for A final, and dam near took a 1;41 high to make B final, with just a couple1;42 flat's..

Man I remember when this would have been the 200 free times, dudes are fast!!!

Cal, ASU, and Tennessee all put 2 guys in the 50 A final, a big get for ASU here who also got 1 in the B final. Florida got 1 up and 2 down, so for an event that looked like ASU would be weak in has now turned into a dog fight for top points..

SO 3 huge events for ASU today, finals will of course decide who gets what, but these prelims are dam near more important. You have to get there first, and it took an 18.76 to final, and dam near an 18 high to B final(two guys at 19 flat just got in). 40th place was 19.51!!!!

thanks for the reporting monty, haven't had time to keep track of the meet and your updates are good ;-)

No problem and I see a lot of folks having a look see at this thread. Probably a lot like you, can't watch live so just getting updates. Hopefully some of the other fishes will chime in once this thing starts to take shape. I know I appreciate the race threads on triathlons that happen at odd hours or I just cannot get, you feel like you are living it live with good commentators here...

Guiliano of ND and Alexy of Cal look so strong over the water in the 50. I really like the US to win the Gold in the 4 x 100 based off these two blasting 46 splits.

Texas / Eddie has always had his guys go out hard on the 200 but last nights 42.11 to the feet for Hobson was insane. And he is only 20.

I don't know what Marchand has in him tonight, but Im thinking a 4:06 from Hobson is in the cards. Doubt that gets it done, but ASU as a team seems off so maybe this infects Marchand too?

The other background drama going on is the UT head coach search. My Texas friends seem to think Brendan Hansen is getting the job, but it isn't a done deal yet.

I don't know what Marchand has in him tonight, but Im thinking a 4:06 from Hobson is in the cards. Doubt that gets it done, but ASU as a team seems off so maybe this infects Marchand too?//

Looking over the results there is no team crushing it completely. ASU really only bad swim was Sarkany, and they more than made up for it in the 50 getting 2 guys in the A final. And 3 guys in the A final in the 200IM, think they are doing as well or better than expected thus far. Hard to fault their two 2nd place finishes in the relays last nite, they did equal or break the old records, just two different teams were loaded up and swam out of their minds. Kind of funny that they get 2 2nds, and the other teams got 1st and 4th's, but ASU is behind. The big advantage of the big point spread between winning and 2nd.


After today they should be well into the lead, and I figure Marchand is not having any issues after that 200 last nite....(-; Hobson will have his hands full just to keep pace for 250, then those underwaters of Marchand is going to be the crushing blow at the end, provided nothing silly happens...

Just putting the results link here for anyone interested in exact results:

https://swimmeetresults.tech/...Division-I-Men-2024/

Well Leon has answered whether he is on or not, 4;02.31. Broke his own record by almost 4 seconds. Looked like he was maybe going to challenge that 4 minute barrier, which I would say is similar to the 2 hour road marathon record. He was out in 1;33 on the feet at the 200!!!

Great swims from Florida in the B final, but as I said earlier, you need those swims in the morning to get into the A final. Unbelievable, and he did underwaters the entire way too. This kid could approach 14 minutes for the 1650 I bet too...

ANd just like that, ASU goes to the team lead, which I suspect will never be relinquished...

Destin Lasco breaks American record in the 200IM --1;37.91.

But big story is all ASU swimmers went faster and took 2nd, 3rd, and 6th. Huge points to go well ahead in the team standings. A lot of guys are not swimming their prelim times, but ASU seems to be on fire now and dropping time and places..

Next up the 50, dont blink!!

SO Josh Lined gets revenge for last year and wins by 2/100, going 18.07. And here is why morning swims are so important, ASU gets 7th and 8th, but that guarantees them 23 points no matter how badly they swim, even though both swam well. Just so dam fast that A final across the board, but no one close to Dressell's record that is in another galaxy.

So Cal gets great points, but only 2 more than ASU in that event, so the battle for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th is hotting up...

So 200 free relay is up next after diving, and this one is a pick'em. Cal looks good from that 50 we just saw, but so does Florida. ASU has several great sprinters in the mid 18 to 19 low range, but do they use Marchand in this one? Of all the races, this is probably his worst, just havent seen him do a flat out 50 to see where he is. But have to imagine he is a mid/high 18 guy, but maybe they rest him here since there are plenty of those available.

My picks are Florida,Cal, ASU, NC state...

Man I wish I could have bet that 4 way pick'em, could have made a fortune!!! So went exactly as I said, 3 teams in the 1;13+'s. Now the podium battle is really shaping up, ASU well ahead and now Cal and Florida battling for the next two spots. No other challengers for the podium after today, these are the teams on fire and hitting on all cylinders..

Of course there is some diving in there, but for me I really dont follow or count them is this swim champs....

From what I could tell in the results, ASU rested for pac 12s and Cal did not. Pac 12s were two weeks ago I think? Hard to carry a taper that close together.

In general for all teams, a lot of these guys had to taper for their conference meet just so they could make it to NCAA’s or their teams were fighting for conference titles. IME, you usually see those first swims (prelims) at the second meet a bit slower on average but there are some exceptions.

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For sure a lot of teams tapered for their conference meets, and to actually get NCAA time standards. This has to be the hardest meet in the world to get into with the depth in each event. But dont think many at ASU tapered, at least not the guns. They got a great swim out of a guy in the 200IM who dropped a ton of time to score big, and pre meet he was probably not even a consideration. Of course we now know that Marchand did not taper either. Hard to believe since he set the 500 record, an event that isnt even one of his top. But putting it away like he did today, well that could end up being the swim of the meet, or year for that matter..

Havent looked at the olympic schedule, but I bet a lot of guys hope that 400free conflicts with one of his other races. Who would beat him? He could finally erase one of the last records, and the 200free now that I think about it? He could lead off their relay for that one though and skip the individual.

All top 3 teams are outperforming their seeds, but Cal by the most..

The man is not a human. I can't even fathom that 500.. Out 44, 133, halfway in 2:57. Held 10-12m underwater off every single wall.

Take Marchand out of that race and Hobson's 4:06 is fantastic (5th all-time performer) with Magahey 6th all time.

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I wrote this, you should read it:
https://www.slowtwitch.com/...n_Swimming_6700.html

These used to be posted on NBC sports youtube channel fairly quickly but not this year.

So fun to watch this stuff.
That 500 was unreal. My kids and I were screaming at the tv. And Lasco in the 2IM was so impressive! Love seeing him swim fast.

Woulda been fun to have those two 50 guys under 18. But wow. Such fast swimming.

That pool is something special. I’ve been able to swim there a couple times and I always always!! Swam fast there … just cause of the energy in that pool.

Daved

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http://www.theundergroundcoach.com

Big morning swims from ASU in the 400IM, got 2 up and 2 down and dam near had 3 as Sarkany got 17th. No surprise that Leon shut it down at halfway and super cruised the free, and still went fastest time of 3;35. His teammate is seated 2nd too, so huge points coming in this event..

Two guys in the 43's for 100 fly prelims with leindo looking great at 43.3. ASU got one guy in the final 4th seed, so they wont get shut out of the points here, but a spot for some other teams to move up. Took a 44 high to make top 16, so a lot of 45's missed out of this one this year..

No surprise that Cal dominated the 200 free prelims, 2 up and 2 down. Took blazing times to get in 1;32.4 to make A final, and about a 1;32 flat for the B. Luke Hobson looks like he is swimming angry, and the only guy to break 1;30. Think he might have his sights on taking that 10 minute record back he held two days ago. but it wont be easy.

But he will have two sprinters on either side in Crooks and Alexy, so they could really go out fast enough and just has to hold on..

Asu got 2 down in this one, so will get some points..

ASU got skunked in the 100 breast, but that was expected. Florida and ASU each have 2 up and 1 down in the 100 back, so big points coming their way tonight.. Florida has 1 up 1 down in the breast, but cal has the top seed, so the battle for the podium will go to the finals points.

Some really good swims from lower folks at ASU to make finals, apparently holding that 2 week taper is turning into a longer and better one for many. Good thing too as a couple of the stars are not quite killing it so these guys are getting the valuable points they were counting on..

Gonna be a hell of a 400 medley relay tonight, I think more in ASU's wheelhouse to do 100's rather than 50's. Lets see if Marchand can break the all time relay record in the 100 breast.

Dont know what Rowdy is smoking, but he just said that Florida will pull within 5 or so points of ASU after today. Not!! B final of 400IM ASU guys both swam over their heads and got 3rd and 5th, while the Florida guy who was seated above got last.

And now it is Marchand time!!!!

Well Rowdy is going to have to eat his words after just one event tonight, ASU 1st and 2nd, Florida's swimmers near the bottom of the heat. They are going to get about 50 points for this one event!!!

Leon shut it down, it was obvious with his quicker pop up turns and still goes 3;32 for an easy win. ASU has never won a relay at this meet, and I think they have their sights set on that 400 medley relay. Would not surprise me if Leon rolls a 48+ there, which they will need...

Liendo with a super long glide at the finish to get the 2nd fastest time ever behind Dressel, 43.07. Guess that record has at least one more year to stand, but this kid is right there with a better finish. That will be nice for Florida's relay too, a full second faster than the ASU flier that got 5th in 44.2

Cal is losing ground to Florida fast today, Rose gets last in the final, a guy who has the chops to win this thing too...

Cal is loaded in this next event the 200 free with swimmers in both finals, and Florida just one in B and ASU with two in B

WOw!! LukÄ™ Hobson just got back the record he set and lost in 10 minutes from day 1, 1;28.81. Great showing from Alexy to also go under 1;30 for 2nd, that US 4x200 relay just got a lot stronger...Cal picked up some great points, now only about 8 down from Fla for 2nd. ASU still up 47 and looks uncatchable at this point..

Good to see a US guy giving Leon a run for the record books, even if it isnt one of his top 8 events!!!

ASU is shut out of the next event the 100 breast, but then they are loaded in the 100 back, so probably a wash points wise...

Liam Bell of Cal just went the fastest time in history, 49.53, Florida was 7th and 9th, so Cal still about 9 points behind. But great swim to get max points, and of course their relay later just got a second faster too. Man that 400 medley is just going to be nuts,, Leon will probably be right with Liam as their backstrokers are very close...

Crazy 100 back, and as Rowdy said, anyone could win it and they did. Guy who barley got in the final last by 7/100's Brenden Burns, took it from lane 1. He was the defending champ, so there is that, but he was crap in the prelims and got in by a hair. Cal choked a bit, went from 1st seed to 5th, and Florida also didnt have stellar swims, so ASU gained points on both teams in that event getting 4th, 6th and 12th...

So 31 point gap now going into this epic relay. Florida's good swims with Cals off ones puts them 20 points ahead in 2nd now..Reality is that ASU is one bad jump away from losing the lead in this thing, so anything can happen.

Going to go with Florida, Cal, and ASU for the relay podium, but not super confident in that order, as one great swim above and beyond could make any of the teams champs.... Almost forgot, going to add NC state to this mix also, with their back and breast legs, should be in front at 200. So much momentum in this event, so they could take it all as well...

So Florida crushes their own record, and gets 2nd!!! IT was Leon time with his 48.6 breast, so I think we can put that event into his best of all time column. But the others were all on tonight, and Kulow was a man possessed and was not going to give up their first relay win in history. Cal also broke the record and got 3rd, NC state got 4th..

I will be watching that race several more times, Marchand in a hole at the start and against the guy that just broke the all time 100 breast record, and he made quick work of the entire field. Liendo goes fastest 100 fly ever on a relay in 42.5..Could be the race of the meet right there, and the one that cements ASU's hold on the top spot..

Oh shit, just saw that Florida just got DQ'ed. This could be their 2nd place overall going out the window. And 3 teams DQ'ed in that last heat, guys must have really been pushing the envelope there..Hope the machines didnt fuck up!!!!

Just going over the results of the relay, and shit, both ASU and Cal had guys that nearly jumped too, .01!!! And there were a few down the line that were also .01, so talk about riding that fine line. And NC states backstroker Stokowski swam a 43.5 which would have won the 100 back final. Liendo will lose that 100 fly fastest split, but it wasn't him that jumped, it was the anchor.

Marchand's 100 brest was out in 22.5, back in 26.2 for a 48.7. And one would think his .1 relay start was pushing it, until you see Kilo's .01!!

Still took a 3;02.4 to A final, even with the DQ's. But those 3 that got put out let in some otherwise slower teams to score 14.15. and 16th...

And just for context, that winning time is a 44 low average per swimmer, I remember when that was a great free relay......

Alexy, Hobson and Guiliano are all better in Long Course.

Team USA men are going to be just fine in Paris.

6 races tonight: 3 records, two fastest all time*, 400 IM Leon was holding back for relay.

*I cheated to claim that - the second fast 100 back was swam on the 400 medley relay.

SO TRUE Monty... this meet is insanely fast. I went in 2018 (minnesota) just to watch Dressel and that meet is so fun to be at. The energy really is next level.

One more day to enjoy "our" march madness!!! (f that basketball! haha)

I actually like hoops. So I was just joking.

daved

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http://www.theundergroundcoach.com

Yes sometimes the actual fastest meet in the world, including olympics.

Cal got 1 up and 2 down for the 200 back, but ASU got 2 up so probably a wash there. Florida with one in the A final so Cal will lengthen their lead here..

So 8 guys go 41 high, and they miss the top 16 in the 100 free!!!! Took a 41.2 to sneak into the A final, 41.7 for the B. Dam that race has gotten fast. Top 4 guys all went 40+..Gonna be a crazy fast final, but think Caleb's record should hold.

Cal looking good again, 2 up 1 down, Florida 1 up 1 down, and ASU 1 up and 1 down. So cal should move further away, but Liendo could limit that with a win here. ASU got enough to hold fast, Dolan was last in the A final...

So in the 200 breast Marchand went out in 51, then completely shut it down to get in at 1;50. ASU crushing this event with 2 biggies up and 1 down, Cal will pull further ahead of Florida but lose ground on the leaders. Assume Leon will just win this race again tonight and save for that last relay. He is swimming super smart, perhaps a preview of what will happen olympic time..

Fallon only one under 1;50, but the 100 outside smoke from last nite is 4th at 1;50+

Man watching this 200 fly brings back some memories, mostly bad ones. It is just such a grueling race and unless you are super fit and pace perfect, you feel it on that last lap bigly. I suppose with the long underwaters now your arms get less burned, probably a 1/3 less strokes than we used to take. But of course you get anerobic still and that burn is whole body.

So cal 1 up and 1 down with the leader, ASU 1 up 1 down with 2nd, and Florida shut out...Unless Florida can get both their guys on the podium in the 1650, think this meet is over for them as far as 2nd. ASU got enough in to keep their lead handy, now no jumps on the relay and they should be good to go...

Those long underwaters in 200 fly that they do at this level has to hurt more than more "above water" swimming. I assume they are all breathing every stroke for the above water part to top up on air before underwater?

I dont think anything can hurt more than last lap 200 fly arms, but thinking about it now, I wonder if they get last lap 200 fly underwater legs too!! And yes everyone breaths every stroke, even most the guys in the 100 freestyle. And they breath out of every turn too, so everyone can erase that hardwired programming every single coach ever told us back in the day...

So last heat left in 1650, ASU has one scorer already, and they have the #1 seed by a lot left to go. Florida has 2 to go in the final but their other two are going to just miss out on points, so not good. Cal has no one in this event to score, but they are loaded the rest of the night. Too bad for that jump, it really might have come down to this last relay tonight for the silver and bronze.

DO we know if Leon is on that 4x100 relay tonight? How many are you allowed to do in NCAA, anyone know? If not, then look for a new record in that 200 breast to psyche up his teammates. They must love it every time he gets on the blocks, unless of course they are lined up next to him!!

So Sarkany is out in 1;40 for the 200 of the 1650, wow. If you are watching, look at the guy in 2nd place, he is doing the old man breathing pattern!! Thanks Gary Hall....

Sarkany out at 8;43 at the 1000. Watching this race it is hard to believe he is actually having a really bad meet here. All of his other events were off, and he didnt even B final in one of them. But he is just so far ahead in the mile that it looks like he is crushing it. Reality is he is well off his conference time he did a couple weeks ago...

Florida did as well as they could have hoped for, 2nd and 3rd, so now 20 points ahead of Cal. But it is going to be tough with Cal having so many swimmers up and down in the next events. Still anything can happen and ASU is out there more than a DQ relay ahead at the moment. Now that would be a good feeling to have it completely wrapped up even if you got a jump at the end..

14;30 for Sarkany, well off his best, but good enough for the W

Lasco with new record in 200 back, 1;35+..Florida's guy got 4th behind two ASU swimmers and they hold 2nd overall by 5 points. I thought for sure they would go behind cal after this race, but they are scrappy tonight.

[quote monty

DO we know if Leon is on that 4x100 relay tonight? How many are you allowed to do in NCAA, anyone know? If not, then look for a new record in that 200 breast to psyche up his teammates. They must love it every time he gets on the blocks, unless of course they are lined up next to him!![/quote]
If you swim 3 individual events, you can swim 4 out of 5 relays. If you swim 2 individual events, you can swim all 5 relays.

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Well of course we got to see what kind of sprinter Leon is, and just like the rest, probably the best in the world. I mean that 100 sprint is probably his 10th best event and he goes 40.2 on the leadoff!! I imagine if he focused on it for a minute he would break Caleb's long held record. Too bad NCAA is not like worlds and the Olympic Games, where you can swim as many events as you can handle..

So he crushes his own record in the 200 breast, and ASU dominates the entire meet. Those last 2 relays really made up for the first two, even though those were great swims too, just beat by a better team each time. In the end seems like the DQ relay of Florida didnt make the difference, but you never know how much momentum played into that whole thing..

No secret I was rooting for ASU, was tired of the Texas/Cal dynasty, and loved how Bowman came in and slowly built this team from the ground up. Left wondering if Leon will swim his last year there after the games, he should be a world wide star and quite wealthy by then. Not sure the call of one more year of college swimming will be alluring enough. But even without him, they have a super solid foundation now to keep going, lots of young guys to move up, and some that would have won without Leon there...

Ok, signing off for the live coverage now, hope you all enjoyed my blather about the super fishes....

I assume that if Leon goes pro after the Olympics, he can finish his degree, its just no longer on scholarship and he has to pay his way?

NCAA rules have changed to allow endorsements. No need to "go pro" unless he wants to drop out of school and focus on swimming/endorsements. But, ASU isn't the most stringent academic institution, so who knows....

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I wrote this, you should read it:
https://www.slowtwitch.com/...n_Swimming_6700.html

I bet he takes the fall semester off and comes back to smash SCY one more time in the spring.

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I wrote this, you should read it:
https://www.slowtwitch.com/...n_Swimming_6700.html

I read there are some wonky rules regarding NIL, and foreign athletes?

All of this aside, the entire NCAA men's swimming landscape might get turned on its head in a few hours. I suppose I root for the Longhorns, I really hope they didn't pick Hansen.

Ah yes - you are correct. There may be some complications there. But who knows with how the NCAA will look come fall...

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I wrote this, you should read it:
https://www.slowtwitch.com/...n_Swimming_6700.html

So what's wrong with Hansen??? I assume you're talking of the replacement for the retiring Eddie Reese at Texas. You and tallswimmer are talking in code; you need to explain and let the rest of us in on the "turned on its head" business. :)

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"Anyone can be who they want to be IF they have the HUNGER and the DRIVE."

Texas is hiring Hansen, Durden (Cal), Bowman, or Holloway (NC St).

There’s a small chance they promote assistant coach Wyatt Collins which interestingly enough (i think you know this) but he used to be a semi regular poster here!

Hansen has Eddie’s backing otherwise he wouldn’t be considered. Hes not exactly well like by people he swam with. And honestly he doesn’t have the credentials for the job. UT has a (for swimming) huge NIL fund. The new coach is going to have a lot of levers at his disposal to bring UT straight back to the top.

Durden or Bowman would be a huge blow to those programs, especially ASU. I think it would have to be crazy money to get Bowman out of there at this point, and hopefully ASU has the funds to come close to a match..Cal kind of in the same place too, are you ready to end your dynasty??

NC state is knocking on the door too, so not good for them to lose their coach, and Nesty has to be locked into Florida with the school and the greatness olympic program going on there...But who knows, I suppose all of this could get moved to Texas too, just the transition year will be very bumpy...

I think Bob's entrenched in the desert and won't go anywhere, either personally or with the huge group of Pro's he's got. I don't think Wyatt will get it - they tried to make him coach in waiting a few years ago and then Eddie backtracked. I'd bet Holloway from NC State - Austin over Raleigh. Durden won't leave Cal now that he's got both men and women. Nesty and the pros there won't leave Florida. David Marsh is too old and has too much baggage to get back in the game as a head coach. Maybe Yuri from Wisconsin, but he's had more success with the women than the men in Madison, and going from a combined program to a single gender might not be what he wants. I'd look mid to upper half of the top 25- the program has too much history and standing to pick someone without significant experience.

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I wrote this, you should read it:
https://www.slowtwitch.com/...n_Swimming_6700.html

Brendan's only real experience was with a club for a few years, and he got run out of there on a rail (though who knows, maybe it was a crazy parent board, more than his coaching?) I really don't think he is the one.

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I wrote this, you should read it:
https://www.slowtwitch.com/...n_Swimming_6700.html

That exactly what I was thinking, the entrenched programs would be hard to poach a coach from. But I dont really know the finances of mens swimming coaches, so perhaps a 5x or 10x offer could dislodge someone who needs the money?? I know for the big sports it is in the several millions of dollars for coaches, but swimming, what are they getting for top programs?? And would a school like Texas venture in the low ends of football programs to get back into the podium once again???

My gut feeling is no, but now that college sports are being more professionalized at the athlete level, perhaps a change is coming for the minor sports and their budgets?

Cal moving to the ACC is very much a problem. First they lose $10M in revenue while Texas is gaining $20M moving to SEC. And then their travel schedule is just going to be weird. Durden is from Texas, he wanted the job in the past. I know that is who the alumni want, which doesn't mean he still wants the job, but I think its possible.

ASU is moving to the Big 12. ASU can do two things: pay Bowman more than they ever wanted to at a time when they are going to need to reassess finances, or lose him to Texas (unless Durden goes there first). The only thing is, there are people who don't like Bowman and there are legitimate reasons not to.

Like tallswimmer said, I think they end up with Holloway. And then NC State takes Gangloff from UNC (ouch) and so on. A handful of coaches will move unless Texas hires internally.

Collegiate athletics are getting crazier and crazier with all these conference moves, NIL allowances, transfer non-regulations now. I kinda joked on twitter about all of this...so can we just fast forward to 2054 when we all go back to super regionalized conferences again....Old is new again (again).

They are going to have to get the whole pay for play figured out, and what I worry is that the student athletes wanting to be paid as employees--psst non-revenue sports can't afford that.

And at some point the fans now being boosters + having to contribute to NIL collectives (as basically player salaries) at some point the fans soon enough will say "enough is enough".

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

Some background on coach pay:
https://swimswam.com/want-to-earn-the-big-bucks-be-a-d1-head-swim-coach/
https://swimswam.com/...ch-eddie-reese-make/

We're talking 100'000's of thousands of dollars here, not millions. No one is getting a 5x or 10x multiplier - especially for a single gender program.

I know we're playing out the domino game a bit far right now, but if I was Gangloff I would sit tight at UNC rather than going to NCState. Sure State is up right now, but from an administration and infrastructure standpoint Carolina's on better footing - plus I think UNC ends up in the Big 10 for the $$ and State is left to languish in what's left of the ACC after the Big10 raids again. (I say this as an admitted Chapel Hill native/homer, and State hater, lol).

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I wrote this, you should read it:
https://www.slowtwitch.com/...n_Swimming_6700.html

What's interesting as a current D3 coach in NC (actually moving to a D1 job May 1st, TBA soon), within the NC borders. "Politics" has nudged it's way into the collegiate spectrum and as part of the NC Board of Government- they have legislated that basically Heels/Pack will have to be a "package" deal and/or each school basically get the same. IE- UNC could go to the B10 if Pack went SEC. But UNC isn't going to the B10 and Pack stuck in ACC or moves to the B12 under the guidance of the UNC Board of Education (which both members are governed by along with what 12 other institutions in the state of NC).

I sorta think at some point, the ACC will disband especially with these new lawsuits popping up (I dont think the schools will win, I think the lawsuits are laying out the ground work for the specific buyout money and/or negotiated rate) and either they go together or they both get picked up by the big boys now (SEC for Pack, B10 for UNC).

#GoPack (NCSU grad)

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

When the BIG 12 merged in 1997 Texas Tech got the same type of protection you are referring to. Baylor got included because Anne Richards - the former Governor - said take Baylor or no one. So TCU and Houston got shafted out.

It actually makes sense for the state to protect that alliance because it’s in the state’s interest that NC St remain a top tier athletics program.

Like I said, let's just fast forward to 2063 when UNC / Duke/ Wake / NC State / UVA / VT / Clemson / SC are back in the "carolinas" conference and be done with it. This whole UCLA is playing Rutgers lacrosse on a Tuesday night B10 game is just so f'ing stupid.

The main issue is sure you can branch off and go football only conferences and all rest of olympic sports are back to regional conferences. But title ix implications mean all the travel football gets, other sports get those types of trips/funding/opportunity too.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

Wow! I missed on this one.
https://swimswam.com/...ncaa-title-with-asu/

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I wrote this, you should read it:
https://www.slowtwitch.com/...n_Swimming_6700.html

No kidding, it must have been a very sweet contract. And for Bowman, likely a lot of those ASU swimmers will follow him too. I think there is a new system where you can just transfer and be eligible right away?? And could be he knows Leon is done too, so figured it might be good time to make a big change, one that probably takes him to the end of his career...

So does he stay in Arizona until trials/Olympics with his swimmers? Or does he move over immediately to UT and do his swimmers follow with only 2 months to US trials?

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And will Phelps follow Bowman to Texas, or stay in AZ???

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"Anyone can be who they want to be IF they have the HUNGER and the DRIVE."