Ranking the Classes: #3 - Arizona

Don’t look for a let-up after Arizona claimed its first-ever NCAA team title.  If the Wildcats are to go back-to-back however, they’ll have a different look to them.  Albert Subirats, Darian Townsend and Ivan Barnes were battle-tested veterans who could shoulder a huge load, but now they’re gone. 

Of course big losses free up big money and Arizona appears to have spent wisely.  Their class is built around a group of solid 100-500 freestylers with a larger group of back/fly specialists who will aim to fill Subirats’ fins.  Nimrod Shapira Bar Or, an Israeli with ties to the Bolles School can be slotted into the Wildcat freestyle relays.  As his kick improves, he could emerge as the lead leg on the medleys as well.  The top-twenty Tennessee tandem of Jordan Slaughter and AJ Tipton will vie to replace Subirats’ butterfly leg, but both can go up to the 200 fly without much drop-off.  Kevin Munsch is no Ivan Barnes, but he comes in ahead of the outgoing breaststroker.  If he progresses similarly, the Wildcats will be in good shape.

Is it enough to hold onto the title?  Time will tell if they can replace the leadership as quickly as the points, but this group will ensure Arizona remains in the hunt.

A rival coach’s view: “Huge losses in their senior class.  Don’t get me wrong, this group is good, very good, but they’re young.  They still need a ‘go-to’ guy the way Subirats was.