May is a time of transition.  The first of the month is the date high school students are expected to make their college decision and last weekend’s final CIF championship meets mark the unofficial end of the high school swimming season.  It’s a month when most college coaches can take a break from the phones and the road trying to court 17-18 year olds.  It’s a time when hope springs eternal and every team can (or in some cases must) be optimistic about the year ahead.

This year’s class was long on distance recruits, but a little thinner when it came to breaststroke and the 200 freestyle.  This year’s recruiting classes were ranked using the following criteria:

• Swims were scored based on an index meant to reflect a swimmer’s impact on the collegiate level.   For women, the index was standardized on the US Open record (1,000 points), NCAA Division I ‘A’ and actual qualifying time (900), Division I ‘B’ standard (800), Division III ‘B’ standard (700), and USA Swimming ‘AA’ motivational time standard (500). 
• The men’s index was adjusted account for the proportionately larger improvement.   (This was done on an event-by-event basis using pre- and post- freshman year times from the class of 2007.)
• Each swimmer was scored on the basis of their three best events.  Bonus points were also awarded in the sprint events to account for swimmers’ impact on relays.  These points were calculated on a declining basis. 
• Teams were ranked using a combination of peer evaluations and scoring that accounted for both quality and depth.  Additionally each team profile
  

We'll count down the top ten as the day goes on.  

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#11 Indiana

If there’s a word to describe Indiana’s class its upside.  While the SEC raided the Hoosier state of its top talent, Ray Looze and crew quietly put together a class that long on potential.  Nikki White and Margaux Farrell are freestyle machines who are capable of swimming on each free relay and Brittany Strumbel should challenge as well. 

White’s arrival gives IU a link to Longhorn Aquatics and Randy Reese.  Longhorn’s  a leading supplier of Division I talent and the relationship could pay dividends down the road.  Breaststrokers Katelyn Ishee and Katie Johnson add depth but need a third event.  Four women joined Jeff Huber’s stable of divers, and some in-state walk-ons should also be expected.

An opposing coach’s view:“Missing out on [Jenny] Connelly and [Michelle McKeeghan has to hurt.  This class helps them get by but probably gets stronger in January.”

 

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#12 Wisconsin

Badgers are aggressive, territorial animals, and this year’s class is evidence of that.   Five of the state’s top recruits will call Madison home next fall.  That’s especially impressive considering the number who have jumped the border to take advantage of tuition reciprocity with Minnesota.

The level of talent excites head coach Eric Hansen and with good reason.  They plugged a hole in breaststroke with not one, but two top-tens.  Ashley Wanland’s been hovering around 1:01-1:02 for awhile while Megan Onstott’s rise has been more recent.  Monika Stitski and Kelly Winckler are both top milers.  The Badgers graduated half of their Big Ten record-setting 200 free relay and while Beckie Thompson can step in right away, another sprinter would have been a big help.

An opposing coach’s view:“It will be interesting to see which breaststroker emerges.  The distance girl from Badger [Aquatic Club] has only begun to scratch the surface of what she can do.”

 

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#13 Utah

Former Pac 10 assistant moves to an unheralded program in the West, makes a connection with local standout who signs and thus putting their new team on the map.  Sound familiar?  Last year it was Ariana Kukors’ and Washington. 

This year, Whitney Lopus, ranked ninth among American kids, followed Greg Winslow up from Arizona State.  Lopus is the third-fastest flyer, but on par with the top two.  Utah didn’t stop there.  Flyer/IMer Hannah Caron is NCAA caliber.  At best the pair can help get more Utes to the meet.  At worst they’ll help avoid the Teuscher-effect.   Florida State transfer Kristina Helmers and backstroker/IMer Sarah Cox round out an impressive first campaign for Winslow and the Utes.

An opposing coach’s view:“Greg’s off to a great start.  Lopus is a superstar and a sign of things to come.”

 

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#14 Princeton

If recruiting classes were graded like papers, give an ‘A’ to the Princeton Tigers.  Two years ago the ‘A’ stood for Alicia Aemisegger, the Mid-Major Swimmer-of-the-Year.  This year, A is for Altenberger, the do-it-all whiz with top-20 times in the 200 free and both IM’s.    She’s also a tremendous breaststrokers, but with Kerry Gruendel and Caitlin Baran also joining the program her services won’t be necessary.

There’s a bit of a drop-off after these three, but mostly in terms of versatility, not necessarily talent.  Expect to see Aislinn Smalling and the rest improve quickly in their second and third events leaving the rest of the league trying to climb the ivy.

An opposing coach’s view:“Princeton will be tough to beat and will make everyone else work harder to keep pace.”

 

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#15 Texas A&M

Good news: With their first NCAA trophy (4th), and second Big XII title, Texas A&M enjoyed its best season this year.  Better news: The Aggies return nearly every single NCAA point.  Best news: Their class – while small, easily replaces what departures the Aggies do have.

This year’s class isn’t going to overwhelm outside observers, but as Steve Bultman explains, “I feel like their best swimming is ahead of them.”  Bultman raided the Sierra Nevadas for Alyssa Conner and Alexis Grothe.  Conner can swim any distance while Grothe (sprints), Jordan King and Lauren Clifford are all very versatile.  The returning firepower means A&M won’t be overly dependant on freshmen and should allow them some time to develop.   They’d better not wait long though.  The Aggies will graduate a superstar class next year, and that other Texas team is coming on fast.

An opposing coach’s view:“This is a strong group added to a great team.  UT’s the hot thing right now, but Steve continues to develop kids as well as anyone.”

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#16 Kentucky

“This is the best women’s class we have ever signed.” Gary Conelly said it, but if he hadn’t we would have.  It’s a good thing too considering the Wildcats are graduating three-fourths of their All-American sprint relays. 

Kelsi Hall, ranked #7 in the 50 free, highlights a talented group of sprinters that includes Mandy Myers and Lindsay Lash.  If they develop under Shaun Zitani the way the Bradfords did, Conelly might be saying “this is the best women’s class we’ve ever graduated.”  Lash’s kick makes her an excellent flyer and backstroker while South African Claire can do it all – backstroke, breaststroke and IM.

An opposing coach’s view: “They lost a ton of points to graduation.  This group is good but has huge shoes to fill.”

 

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#17 Minnesota

Like Arkansas, Minnesota followed up an outstanding class with a solid one.  Like A&M though, the Gophers don’t lose many to graduation and could afford to be selective. 

With names seemingly plucked out of Minnesota’s Scandinavian heritage, Ashley and Kristen Steenvoorden, along with Hannah Whitehead will make the Gopher distance, home to Big Ten Champions Yuen Kobayashi and Christine Jennings a crowded one.  That means two things – Kristen S’ (fly and IM) and Whitehead’s (mid-distance) versatility will be put to use and the Gophers will have some crazy-fast 800-free relays.  Flyer Jenna Lennertz brings her four Wisconsin State butterfly titles with her, and along with Marissa Davies, should compete for relay spots right away.

An opposing coach’s view: “I like how Terry and Kelly recruit. They needed a backstroker, but got three distance girls.  That’s what they do though, they don’t plug holes, they find kids who fit.”

 

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#18 Notre Dame

Even if they’d never signed a swimmer, the Irish would be the prohibitive favorite to take home their 13th consecutive Big East title.  That depth enabled Carrie Nixon and Joel White to think small.  At last report their class numbered just four with their biggest pickup, Colleen Fotsch, standing 8” shorter than HS teammate Liv Jensen. 

What Fotsch lacks in height, she makes with the best underwater kick in this year’s class.  The last-minute signee is the third fastest dorsal prepster and when it comes to the medley relay she could be handing off to Gwen Blythe, the 7th fastest breaststroker in this year’s class.  Together the pair would have been on pace to make it back to Consols at NCAA’s.  They’ll need a couple more teammates to do that.  Amy Prestinario can help in several areas, but the Irish could really use her help on relays.  Emily Barton rounds out the class.  The breaststroker follows the path from Tempe, Arizona blazed by sisters Kelli and Ann.

An opposing coach’s view: “They got Colleen?  Good for Carrie and Joel.  She’s the kind of kid who can get them over the hump at NCAA’s.”

 

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#19 Washington

Give Whitney Hite credit.  A year after he signed the best class in UW history, the second-year coach delivered an impressive encore.  While the five additions won’t cause fans to forget Ariana Kukors or Emilee Jennings anytime soon, they showed that year one was no fluke.

There’s really nothing that Danielle Gong can’t do.  She’s one of just four seniors under 4:20 in the IM and 24.0 in the 50 free.  Kelly Flynn and Hannah Ross are similarly versatile, but a step below Gong.  Most of the state’s top talent escaped the borders, but the Huskies held onto Washington’s top prospect, sprinter Amelia Messegee.  Alesha Trattner’s talent is immense but largely untapped

An opposing coach’s view: “It isn’t a big group, but I think a lot of their money is tied to previous commitments.  With a lot of seniors that could change real fast.”

 

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 #20 UCLA

Amid the sun, glamour and storied history, its easy to overlook one of UCLA’s hidden gems – Cyndi Gallagher and the women’s swim team.  Some of that might be a lack of respect, some of that might be how the understated coach likes it.  Either way the Bruins consistently take above average swimmers and make them great.  That’s something you’d expect in Lake Wobegon, not Los Angeles. 

This year’s Cali-dominated class has all the makings of going way beyond above average.  Yashi Jahanshahi and Bianca Casciari lead a group of versatile IM-types blessed with above average freestyle range.  They didn’t add a big-time breaststroker to replace Nicolette Teo, but have freshman Brittany Beauchan waiting in the wings.  Keep an eye Madison Fitzgerald.  She’s been 23.4 in the 50 but hasn’t been under 52.0 in the 100 (and was barely under 54.0 a year ago).    

An opposing coach’s view: “There’s more than meets the eye here.  I already regret not going after the sprinter (Fitzgerald) more.” 

 

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#21 Arkansas

Last year Jeff Poppell and Todd Mann landed a top-five class when they seemingly brought half of their Bolles team with them.  A second top-five class might have been a bit optimistic, but the pair has managed to make inroads the nation’s breadbasket.  Few coaches would look at Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas as prime recruiting targets, but this year it was their bread and butter. 

Though not as polished as her Chesapeake teammate Sami Woodward, Katherine Whitbeck, will strengthen Razorback relays’ case for NCAA’s.   Malaysian native Cai Lin Khoo will fit in nicely with Missourian Jillienne Schilling and Kansan Lisa Lunkenheimer to give Arkansas some much-needed versatility.  Last year Arkansas’ medley relays stacked up well in the back, fly, and free.  If Purdue transfer Leah Pierce can return to form, their Medleys will be in the top half of the conference.

An opposing coach’s view: “Seemed like they had less [scholarship] money available this year, but they’re getting it done.”

 

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#22 Missouri

The word is out – Mizzou has one of the best pools in the country and recruits are beginning to notice.  While the Tigers won’t be challenging for Big XII supremacy in the near future, their class, like their pool, has experienced a significant upgrade.

The biggest upgrade is in the breaststrokes where Emy DiBenigo and Kayla Durnil have either surpassed or are challenging the returners.  Lisa Nathanson is the fastest pickup in Tiger history.  She’s developed rapidly under former Nebraska coach Kelly Nordell, ranks 20th in the 50-free and could soon stand among everything the Big XII can throw at her.  Stephanie Roving is a little more seasoned.  Depending on the direction they take her – sprint or distance – she could do some great things. 

An opposing coach’s view: “[Assistant Coach] Chris Peters incredible.  If I was an AD looking for a head coach, he’d be on my short list.”

 

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#23 Richmond

The Spiders?  That’s right.  Previous head coach Matt Kredich got the Spiders on the map but Matt Barany is beginning to leave his own legacy.  He signed class that, “our current swimmers adore” he explains, “not because of their contribution in the water, but because of their value as friends and caring teammates.” 

Don’t let the touchy-feely sentiments deceive you though.  These women are legit.  Amy Dodge might have more untapped potential than any other breaststroker in the top twenty-five.  Same goes for Charlotte Brackett in the 50 free (though her 23.46 falls just outside of the top twenty-five).  Backstroker Jill Smanioto and.

An opposing coach’s view: [Surprised that Richmond made the top-25.  You’re not alone.  Not a single coach commented on Richmond’s class.]

 

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#24 Rutgers

A November press release said it best: “After a ten year climb from the bottom of the Big East to national recognition, Rutgers was sent reeling with the loss of their men’s program.  However the early signing of six outstanding women may have put the program back as strong as it has ever been.”

It’s hard to argue.  The additions of Taylor Zafir and Brianne Linblad, improve the Scarlet Knights immediately.  Zafir in particular, will turn heads.  She’s the #4 200 breaststroker in the country, but so much more.  As a product of Bob Strube, she should be particularly well equipped to swim for the guy who wrote the book – literally – on distance swimming.  Lindblad is a candidate for the big meet while the remainder of their class will provide additional depth and points at a Big East meet that’s increasingly competitive.

“The biggest reason for this outstanding class is that great girls are attracted to other great women that make up great teams,” pointed out Warner.   While we’re not sure we’ve seen the word ‘great’ used three times in the same sentence, you get the point.  This is a team that didn’t let a cruel cut distract them from the task at hand.

An opposing coach’s view: “Linblad and and Zafir will have a huge impact on them.”

 

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#25 Northwestern

For the second year in a row, Jimmy Tierney’s signed a double-digit class.  Individually, none of them can make up for the departure of Andrea Hupman.   Collectively, however, they’ll give the cats a scoring presence throughout their lineup. 

Northwestern needed a breaststroker.   They got three.  Katheen Patterson and Jenny Wilson will challenge for relay time while Hannah Points should deliver on her last name.  With her attention no longer split between cross country and swimming the 13th-ranked 400 IMer has a huge upside.  Flyer Megan Cavanaugh has good range in the freestyle.  Shelby Johnson’s got speed to burn, but needs a third event whereas Shelia O’Neil has the range but not quite as quick.

A Rival’s View: “They’re kicking themselves for losing out on [Name Withheld], but believe me, she’d have been more trouble than she was worth.  They got a good group.”