Seven Notable NCAA Performances From Midseason Invitationals; Luca Urlando Tops the List
As the saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun. In what felt like a blur, the college swim season has reached its halfway point, with most teams wrapping up their midseason meets. Swimmers threw down a plethora of standout swims, breaking records and entertaining fans. But some swims truly stood out above the rest, making waves across the NCAA landscape. Here’s a look at seven notable swims from this year’s midseason meets.
6. Bella Sims, Michigan – 400 I.M at CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge
Our list begins with a swimmer who has experienced a turbulent year, including a school change and a no-fault result related to a doping test. Sims has responded to the adversity, however, with a dominant college season, including a terrific 400 I.M. at the CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge. Sims ran away with the event in a Michigan record of 3:58.02, good for the fastest time in the country so far this season.
5. Remi Fabiani, Arizona State – 200 Freestyle at CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge
The Dual Meet Challenge was a showcase for some of the best swims in college swimming, giving it another spot on this list. The Sun Devils advanced to the championship round of the meet, which followed a bracket-style format between four teams. Fabiani’s race in the 200 freestyle was crucial to the team’s eventual victory. The Sun Devil was able to overcome an early deficit and clipped Tennessee’s Nikoli Blackman to win by just .18. Fabiani’s time, a 1:31.23, is a serious accomplishment for the California Baptist University transfer. Watch out for him to make an impact as the season rolls on.
4. Lucy Bell, Stanford – 200 I.M. at Texas Hall of Fame Invitational
Bell has opened her senior campaign with a bang. The swimmer has become the fourth-best 100 breaststroker in college swimming, with multiple personal-bests in the event this season. Perhaps her best race, however, arrived when she uncorked a 1:52.65 in the 200 medley. Her win was crucial for the Cardinal, giving Stanford a necessary victory to edge the Longhorns at the Invitational.
3. Claire Curzan, Virginia – 100 Backstroke at CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
The third, and highest-ranked performance from the CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge, Curzan’s 100 backstroke was a spectacle to watch. In a dual with Sims during the CSCAA women’s championship, Curzan out-touched the Wolverine by just 0.05 to win. Her 49.12 from the race was the fastest time in the country this season, with Sims’ 49.17 sitting in second, showcasing the high-quality racing on display. The time was just .01 slower than what Curzan went at the NCAA Championships last season, showing potential growth for this year’s postseason.
2. Will Modglin/Nate Germonprez, Texas – 100 Backstroke/100 Breaststroke at Texas Hall of Fame Invitational
The “third time was the charm” in Austin, as Texas’ men’s junior class put on an incredible showing at their Hall of Fame Invitational. Modglin and Germonprez entertained the swimming world with two incredible races, showcasing why the Longhorns are the NCAA Title favorites.
Germonprez dominated the 100 breaststroke in 49.71, the fastest time in college swimming this year. It’s also just 0.2 off of Julian Smith’s NCAA record from the SEC Championships last February. Just 20 minutes later, Modglin won the 100 backstroke in 43.37. However, that time was only the second-fastest for Modglin on the day, as he went an American record of 43.26 during prelims, a followup to his 20.00 medley relay leadoff from the previous day.
1. Luca Urlando, Georgia – 200 Butterfly at UGA Fall Invitational
Racing in his home pool, Urlando broke his own NCAA/American record in the 200 butterfly, beating out his time from the last NCAA Championships by .02, with a 1:36.41 performance. He flew by a crowded field by almost four seconds, a statement win for the defending NCAA champion. The victory was crucial for the Bulldogs, giving them the points necessary to beat out Florida State for second at the invite.
Urlando will look to make more history in March, as the favorite to win the event once again. Having Arizona State’s Ilya Kharun in the field will make for a can’t-miss event at NCAAs.
