Big 12 Preview | Texas Two-Step All The Way
Big 12 Preview | Texas Two-Step All The Way
Preview for the 2017-2018 season in the Big 12 Conference. This features the Texas men's and women's swimming and diving programs with Eddie Reese, Joseph Schooling, Carol Capitani, and Claire Adams.
Previewing the Big 12 in swimming isn't a stressful task in any sense. In both the men's and women's title race, the conference championship is staying in Austin, Texas.
Previewing the Big 12 is difficult to do without sounding disrespectful toward the other members. Don't take this the wrong way, the other schools are talented, but the Longhorns are head and shoulders above the pack.
In most sports, the Big 12 has regained its respectable reputation that slipped after conference realignment. Swimming is an exception. Since Missouri and Texas A&M departed for the SEC, the Big 12 swimming competitive balance has been nearly nonexistent save an event or two here and there.
The men's side of the conference consists of three teams altogether -- Texas, Texas Christian (TCU), and West Virginia. The women's team competition adds Iowa State and Kansas to the bunch.
The Longhorns men's team, a summer separated from a third-straight national championship, graduated a significant group of athletes. Olympic gold medalists Jack Conger and Clark Smith and NCAA-record holder Will Licon won't be back to defend their individual NCAA championships.
What Texas does have, however, is John Shebat, Townley Haas, and Joseph Schooling, among others. Shebat returns as the nation's fastest backstroker, leading the way in both the 100 and 200. Haas holds the same role in the 200 and 500 freestyles.
A former national champion and Olympic gold medalist, Schooling remains in Austin as he enters his senior season. After a somewhat disappointing junior year that culminated with a loss in 100 butterfly, Schooling is looking to take back his title. With the likes of Florida's Caeleb Dressel in the picture, Schooling may have better chances in the 200 butterfly -- an event he won in 2016.
Also part of the senior class is backstroker and IMer Jonathan Roberts. He returns third in the 200 backstroke, two spots behind Shebat, and fifth in the 400 IM. In addition, his 200 IM will have top eight potential again this year.
The Texas men are more concerned with claiming their fourth straight NCAA Championship than anything related to the conference. In fact, they won't dual a conference opponent until the season's final meet when they face off with first-year head coach Sam Busch's TCU squad.
The Women's Forecast
On the women's side, Texas is ranked among the nation's best. Returners Rebecca Millard and Claire Adams are listed to potentially score in the top eight at season's end. Butterfliers Lauren Case and Remedy Rule will also contribute greatly.
Texas is spread evenly across multiple events: Millard sprints, Adams has the backstroke, and junior Joanna Evans fills out the distance aspect. Freshman Evie Pfeiffer will deepen the distance group as well.
Along with Arizona transfer Kennedy Lohman, breaststroker Olivia Anderson will compete for a spot on what will likely be a talented medley relay for Carol Capitani's Longhorns.
After Texas, the Big 12 weakens significantly. Only two swimmers, men or women, are ranked in the preseason top 50 in any event. West Virginia men's swimmers Jake Armstrong (reigning Big 12 champion) and Merwane El Merini are ranked in the 100 breaststroke and 50 freestyle, respectively.
Iowa State, Kansas, and TCU don't have a single swimmer ranked in the preseason top 50. Iowa State distance freestyler Keely Soellner is within the top 70 in the 1650 freestyle.
Armstrong claimed the title in the 100 breast last year and leads the pack again this year. His biggest challenger will be Texas senior Austin Temple, who currently sits half a second back. Armstrong was the only non-Longhorn to win an event in 2017.
Kansas breaststroker Haley Downey came within a second in the women's 100 breaststroke. She ultimately came third, though, but was one of the nearest to dethroning a Texas swimmer.
Without question, the Longhorns will sweep the Big 12 Conference team titles. The real question is who will come second. For the men, it will likely be West Virginia. Last season, the women from Iowa State and Kansas battled for the second spot. Chances are that happens again.
---
Previewing the Big 12 is difficult to do without sounding disrespectful toward the other members. Don't take this the wrong way, the other schools are talented, but the Longhorns are head and shoulders above the pack.
In most sports, the Big 12 has regained its respectable reputation that slipped after conference realignment. Swimming is an exception. Since Missouri and Texas A&M departed for the SEC, the Big 12 swimming competitive balance has been nearly nonexistent save an event or two here and there.
The Men's Forecast
The men's side of the conference consists of three teams altogether -- Texas, Texas Christian (TCU), and West Virginia. The women's team competition adds Iowa State and Kansas to the bunch.
The Longhorns men's team, a summer separated from a third-straight national championship, graduated a significant group of athletes. Olympic gold medalists Jack Conger and Clark Smith and NCAA-record holder Will Licon won't be back to defend their individual NCAA championships.
What Texas does have, however, is John Shebat, Townley Haas, and Joseph Schooling, among others. Shebat returns as the nation's fastest backstroker, leading the way in both the 100 and 200. Haas holds the same role in the 200 and 500 freestyles.
A former national champion and Olympic gold medalist, Schooling remains in Austin as he enters his senior season. After a somewhat disappointing junior year that culminated with a loss in 100 butterfly, Schooling is looking to take back his title. With the likes of Florida's Caeleb Dressel in the picture, Schooling may have better chances in the 200 butterfly -- an event he won in 2016.
Also part of the senior class is backstroker and IMer Jonathan Roberts. He returns third in the 200 backstroke, two spots behind Shebat, and fifth in the 400 IM. In addition, his 200 IM will have top eight potential again this year.
The Texas men are more concerned with claiming their fourth straight NCAA Championship than anything related to the conference. In fact, they won't dual a conference opponent until the season's final meet when they face off with first-year head coach Sam Busch's TCU squad.
The Women's Forecast
On the women's side, Texas is ranked among the nation's best. Returners Rebecca Millard and Claire Adams are listed to potentially score in the top eight at season's end. Butterfliers Lauren Case and Remedy Rule will also contribute greatly.
Texas is spread evenly across multiple events: Millard sprints, Adams has the backstroke, and junior Joanna Evans fills out the distance aspect. Freshman Evie Pfeiffer will deepen the distance group as well.
Along with Arizona transfer Kennedy Lohman, breaststroker Olivia Anderson will compete for a spot on what will likely be a talented medley relay for Carol Capitani's Longhorns.
After Texas, the Big 12 weakens significantly. Only two swimmers, men or women, are ranked in the preseason top 50 in any event. West Virginia men's swimmers Jake Armstrong (reigning Big 12 champion) and Merwane El Merini are ranked in the 100 breaststroke and 50 freestyle, respectively.
Iowa State, Kansas, and TCU don't have a single swimmer ranked in the preseason top 50. Iowa State distance freestyler Keely Soellner is within the top 70 in the 1650 freestyle.
Armstrong claimed the title in the 100 breast last year and leads the pack again this year. His biggest challenger will be Texas senior Austin Temple, who currently sits half a second back. Armstrong was the only non-Longhorn to win an event in 2017.
Kansas breaststroker Haley Downey came within a second in the women's 100 breaststroke. She ultimately came third, though, but was one of the nearest to dethroning a Texas swimmer.
Without question, the Longhorns will sweep the Big 12 Conference team titles. The real question is who will come second. For the men, it will likely be West Virginia. Last season, the women from Iowa State and Kansas battled for the second spot. Chances are that happens again.
---