Some of the fastest swimmers and most talented divers in the nation will converge on Auburn, Ala., this year for the 2015 SEC Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships. The women of the SEC are coming off another great year that saw Georgia defend its NCAA championship and a bevy of top 10 team finishes for the conference. There are expectations that trend could continue come March in Greensboro, NC. But first, it’s time for everyone to put their big girl suits on and line up for another extraordinarily entertaining conference championship with a Who’s Who of All Americans and title contenders on deck.
Georgia
Head Coach: Jack Bauerle 2014 Finish: 1st
Georgia doesn’t rebuild, they reload. While they don’t have all-everything diver Laura Ryan in the fold any longer, they have speed to burn in nearly every swimming event. They start in the freestyles, where Brittany McLean returns from a dazzling NCAA meet in 2014 to try to defend both her titles in the 500 and the mile at SEC’s. Amber McDermott is the third seed in the 400 IM and will challenge McLean for supremacy in both distance races. Olivia Smoliga stunned the field in the 50 free last March in Minneapolis and has the ability to sweep three events (50/100 free and 100 back) while also bringing nuclear power to the Dawg relays. She is partnered with Chantal Van Landeghem for a dynamic sprint duo. Add in Hali Flickinger, (No. 2 in the 400 IM and 200 fly), Lauren Harrington (No. 3 in both flys) along with a host of talented freshmen and all signs point to another conference win for Bauerle’s Bulldogs.
Texas A&M
Head Coach: Steve Bultman 2014 Finish: 2nd
The Aggies graduated eight individual SEC titles and the 3/4 of two winning relay lineups in the off-season, so Bultman his work cut out for him to try and break through the Georgia conference stranglehold. Fifth-year senior Sarah Henry is a great place to start that effort. Henry currently tops the nation in the 400 IM and took home SEC gold in the 500 free and mile in 2013. Freestyle specialist Liliana Ibanez Lopez must be in top form both individually in order to be the catalyst for A&M relay success. Senior Sammie Bosma will also be counted on to provide big freestyle points and relay strength. Newcomers Lisa Bratton, Bethany Galat and Beryl Gastaldello should pile up points in a flood of events. Ashley McGregor has her sights set on continuing the Aggie breaststroke title tradition in the 200. Look for diver Madison Hudkins to challenge for big points on both springboards.
Florida
Head Coach: Gregg Troy 2014 Finish: 3rd
We join the entire swimming community in wishing a full and speedy recovery to Gator Sinead Russell. Despite Russell’s absence, Florida still has plenty of weapons at its disposal. Natalie Hinds is a sprint free and fly speeding bullet, with multiple sub 48 second freestyle splits under her belt already this season. Jessica Thielmann has taken her talent to another level this year and heads the rankings for the mile. Lindsey McKnight has stepped up to fill the breaststroke role for the Gators while also displaying all around ability in the 200 free and the IM’s. Diver Kahlia Warner has SEC scoring ability in all three disciplines. Newcomers Theresa Michalak and Amelia Maughan have already made a splash for Florida in dual meet action, adding the depth necessary for the Gators to make a run at the conference top spot.
Auburn
Head Coach: Brett Hawke 2014 Finish: 4th
Sophomore Allyx Purcell is coming into her own just in time for Auburn. Purcell has top eight times in both the 50 and 100 free and appears ready to challenge the big girls for a place on the podium. Valerie Hull has arrived on campus to help to make the Tigers relays even more formidable. Jillian Vitarius is the only returning NCAA A finalist for Coach Brett Hawke, and is a top contender for both backstroke crowns. The breaststroke tandem of Annie Lazor and Natasha Lloyd will make some noise in both events, as will freshman Zoe Thatcher in the distance races. Megan Fonteno will be in the mix for the 100 fly A final and handles that leg for medley relay duties. Divers Cinzia Calabretta and Shanna Schuelein are proven conference competitors.
Tennessee
Head Coach: Matt Kredich 2014 Finish: 5th
With Breeja Larson no longer in the way, it’s senior Molly Hannis’ time to shine in the breaststroke events. Hannis leads the 200 by nearly 2 seconds, had terrific U.S. nationals times at 100 and can always be counted on for lightning fast medley relay splits. Faith Johnson has her sights set on getting back to the top of the mountain in the 50 free and remains the relay hammer for the Vols. Madeline Tegner and Morgan Dickson are poised to break through the Georgia/Florida/A&M roadblock setup in the distance events the past two years. Harper Bruens continues to improve with every passing year for Tennessee, while Madison Hahn and Amanda Carner provide backstroke strength and depth for the ladies from Knoxville.
Arkansas
Head Coach: Sean Schimmel 2014 Finish: 6th
The Razorbacks scratched their way up the standings in 2014 to finish in the top half of a loaded conference. To repeat that result they will need another outstanding effort from freestyler/backstroker Anna Mayfield. Mayfield made finals in all her individual events while also doing yeo(wo)man’s work on relays. The freestyle faction of Susanna White, Nina Drolc, and Maddie Monroe is another key factor to Arkansas’ 2015 success. Nikki Daniels is back looking to cap her senior season with more A final success in the breaststroke races. Freshman Chelsea Tatlow is an up and coming backstroker and IMer for the Razorbacks as well.
LSU
Head Coach: Dave Geyer 2014 Finish: 7th
LSU returns all three divers who contributed 138 big points to their team total in 2014. Cassie Weil and Alex Bettridge were responsible for 121 of those points, including 53 on tower. Amber Carter contributes big points in the sprint freestyles, on relays, and as an A finalist candidate in the 100 fly. Kara Kopscso will be counted on heavily as a top eight seed in the 200 fly and 200 IM, as well as being another relay stalwart. Junior Caley Oquist has carried over last year’s SEC Championship success with another fine season and teams with Danielle Stirrat as top notch backstroke threats.
Alabama
Head Coach: Dennis Pursley 2014 Finish: 8th
The Alabama women were the biggest movers up the standings in 2014. They may not sneak up on the rest of the conference like last season but Bama is still capable of shaking up the status quo in several events. Both Kaylin Burchell and Bridget Blood return off double A final performances in the breaststrokes for 2014 and will try to reach even greater heights in this year’s edition. Emma Saunders is highly versatile and well within scoring range in multiple freestyle and backstroke events. Freshman Mia Nonnenberg will only get better and should pay immediate dividends in the IMs.
Missouri
Head Coach: Greg Rhodenbaugh 2014 Finish: 9th
The big question for Missouri this year is can they translate midseason speed into conference meet success. Dani Barbiea will head to Auburn as the No. 2 seed in the 100 fly with the goal of bringing a title back to Columbia. New face Hannah Stevens tops the 100 back list and also occupies the second spot for the 200. Katherine Ross and Abby Duncan are both under the one minute mark in the 100 breast this season. Two-time SEC diver of the week Lauren Reedy returns off a second place one-time finish in 2014. Another freshman, Sharli Brady, adds distance free and IM scoring potential to the Tigers roster.
Kentucky
Head Coach: Lars Jorgensen 2014 Finish: 10th
The Wildcats are on the verge of a major breakthrough at the SEC meet. Senior Christina Bechtel is the top seed for both butterfly events and is hoping to join Rachel Komisarz-Baugh as just the second swimming individual event champion in Kentucky women’s history. Fellow senior Abby Myers provides another fly A final candidate. If Bechtel doesn’t accomplish the title feat, backstroker Danielle Galyer may just do it. Bridgette Alexander also supplies backstroke strength. Christa Cabot is an NCAA All-American on the three-meter and platform, and distance specialist Kendal Casey should score in multiple events.
South Carolina
Head Coach: McGee Moody 2014 Finish: 11th
Victoria Mitchell leads the Gamecock charge into Auburn. Mitchell provided points in all three individual events last year and will need to improve on that performance for South Carolina to make a move in the standings. Freshman Meredith Vay has been impressive as a freestyle racer in her first season. Senior Patty Kranz was a platform finalist in 2014 and a three-board scorer. Ellen Johnson steps into the breaststroke void left by the departed Amanda Rutqvist.
Vanderbilt
Head Coach: Jeremy Organ 2014 Finish: 12th
An infusion of freshman talent joins a talented pair of seniors as the ‘Dores look to make a move up the conference rankings. Kara Lucenti pairs with Elly Faulkner as scoring threats in the breaststroke events. Chrissy Oberg is counted on to provide backstroke relay leadoffs and points in both individual races, and freshman Breanna Sapienza has moved seamlessly into the butterfly relay role.
