The Wait Is Over... College Swimming Is Finally Back This Weekend

The Wait Is Over... College Swimming Is Finally Back This Weekend

Preview of the most prominent NCAA college swimming and diving meets January 5 and January 6.

Jan 3, 2018 by Maclin Simpson
The Wait Is Over... College Swimming Is Finally Back This Weekend

Christmas? Great. New Year's? Sure, it's pretty fun. But now, it's time to shake off the food-induced stupor and inject some college swimming back into our lives.

While we dip our toes back into the final month of regular-season meets with a light slate, here are a few to keep an eye on over the weekend.

Florida vs. Florida State

Friday, Jan. 5 (5 PM EST)

Gainesville, FL

This annual in-state rivalry sees the Florida Gators hosting the Florida State Seminoles on Friday. Most notably, this will be the first time we see Caeleb Dressel race since November. Dressel — arguably the best male swimmer in the world right now — is preparing to defend his NCAA titles in the 50/100 free and 100 fly. He will also look to propel the Gators to their seventh consecutive SEC team title in February.

Kentucky vs. Ohio State, Toledo

Begins Friday, Jan. 5 (5 PM EST)

Lexington, KY

The Kentucky women are coming into 2018 hot after taking down NC State, Ohio State, and Notre Dame in November at the Ohio State Invitational. Led by the backstroke trio of Asia Seidt, Bridgette Alexander, and Ali Galyer, the Wildcats are primed to make some noise on the national stage. Buckeyes senior Meg Bailey will be another to watch in the IM/butterfly events this weekend.

Tennessee vs. Virginia

Friday, Jan. 5 (11 AM EST)

Knoxville, TN

First-year head coach Todd DeSorbo will be taking his Virginia squad into Knoxville on Friday to take on solid Tennessee teams led by Erika Brown on the women's side and Sam McHugh on the men's side. The interesting twist here will be Virginia coach Tyler Fenwick making his return to Vol country, where he had been primarily coaching the distance swimmers since 2012.

Texas A&M vs. Missouri

Saturday, Jan. 6 (Noon CST)

College Station, Texas

Both the Texas A&M women and men are legit. The women took down defending NCAA champions Stanford in November at the Art Adamson Invitational, and the men have been making some serious noise led by Brock Bonetti and Mauro Castillo. Mizzou isn't shabby, though... The Tigers are packing a strong one-two punch on the women's side with 2017 FINA World Championship semifinalist Hannah Stevens in the backstrokes and IM'er Sharli Brady.

Arizona State vs. Harvard

Saturday, Jan. 6 (11 AM MST)

Tempe, AZ

This isn't necessarily a marquee event on the team side of things, but it is notable for one matchup — Cameron Craig (ASU) vs. Dean Farris (Harvard) in the men's 200 free. As freshmen last year, Farris and Craig had the sixth and seventh fastest times in the 200 free with a 1:31.56 and 1:31.71, respectively. A little preview for what's to come in March? ASU freshman Grant House might have something to say here, too.