It’s that point of the 12 months once more. SwimSwam will probably be previewing the highest 12 males’s and ladies’s groups (after which some) from the 2024 NCAA Championships. Comply with together with the School Swimming Preview Channel. Need to learn much more? Try the newest version of the SwimSwam journal.
#4 INDIANA HOOSIERS
Key Losses: Brendan Burns (43 NCAA Factors), Max Reich (5 NCAA Factors), Tristan DeWitt (NCAA Qualifier), Armando Vegas (NCAA Qualifier)
Key Additions: Owen McDonald (ASU Switch – 46 NCAA Factors, again/IM), Zalan Sarkany (ASU Switch – 25 NCAA Factors, distance free, IM), Brian Benzing (Towson Switch – breaststroke), Matt King (UVA Switch – dash free), Miroslav Knedla (Czech Republic – backstroke), #20 Cooper McDonald (GA – free/again/IM)
Returning Fifth-Years: Tomer Frankel (32 NCAA Factors), Jassen Yep (17 NCAA Factors), Gavin Wight (NCAA Relay Swimmer)
GRADING CRITERIA
Over time, we’ve gone forwards and backwards on undertaking factors, starting from largely subjective rankings to extra data-based grading standards primarily based on ‘projected returning factors.’ We like being as goal as doable, however we’re going to stay with the strategy we’ve adopted post-Covid. The “stars” will rely closely on what swimmers truly did final 12 months, however we’ll additionally give credit score to returning swimmers or freshmen who’ve posted occasions that will have scored final 12 months.
Since we solely profile the highest 12 groups on this format, our grades are designed with that vary in thoughts. Within the grand scheme of school swimming and in comparison with all different school packages, high 12 NCAA packages would just about all grade nicely throughout the board. However within the curiosity of creating these previews informative, our grading scale is hard – designed to indicate the tiers between the great stroke teams, the good ones, and the 2015 Texas fly group sorts.
- 5 star (★★★★★) – a uncommon, elite NCAA group projected to attain 25+ factors per occasion
- 4 star (★★★★) – a really, superb NCAA group projected to attain 15-24 factors per occasion
- 3 star (★★★) – a great NCAA group projected to attain 5-14 factors per occasion
- 2 star (★★) – a stable NCAA group projected to attain 1-4 factors per occasion
- 1 star (★) – an NCAA group that’s projected to attain no factors per occasion, although that doesn’t imply it’s with out potential scorers – they’ll simply must leapfrog some swimmers forward of them to do it
We’ll grade every occasion self-discipline: dash free (which we outline to incorporate all of the relay-distance freestyle occasions, so 50, 100 and 200), distance free, IM, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly and diving. Use these grades as a jumping-off level for dialogue, somewhat than a cause to be offended.
Additionally, remember that we’re publishing many of those previews earlier than groups have posted finalized rosters. We’re making our assessments primarily based on the perfect info we have now out there on the time of publication, however we reserve the correct to make modifications after publication primarily based on any new info which will emerge concerning rosters. If that does occur, we’ll make sure to notice the change.
2023-2024 LOOKBACK
The Indiana Hoosiers had one other profitable season final 12 months, successful their third-straight Huge Ten Convention title and happening to take 4th at NCAAs, their third-straight top-five end.
In his remaining season with the Hoosiers, Brendan Burns got here up enormous, successful the NCAA title within the 100 again and scoring a complete of 43 factors. IU’s NCAAs have been additionally highlighted by junior Carson Tyler, who gained titles in 3-meter and platform diving, whereas fellow junior Quinn Henninger got here in 2nd in each 1-meter and 3-meter.
Indiana gained 10 occasions ultimately 12 months’s Huge Ten Championships. Tyler gained Huge Ten Diver of the Yr for the second-straight 12 months, whereas Burns gained his 4th-straight Huge Ten title within the 200 again.
SPRINT FREE: ★★★ ½
Indiana was skinny so far as NCAA-scoring caliber swimmers within the dash free occasions final season. They’d one swimmer compete within the 50 free at NCAAs, whereas they’d two within the 100 free, and one within the 200 free. They made essentially the most out of these few swimmers, as Rafael Miroslaw got here in fifth within the 200 free in 1:30.84, then took 14th within the 100 free in 41.75. Miroslaw additionally produced a career-best 1:30.76 within the 200 free main off IU’s 800 free relay at NCAAs.
Miroslaw needs to be gaining some assist in the dash free occasions this season. Essentially the most notable dash free addition to the workforce is Matt King, who transferred to Indiana from Virginia after spending final season as an Olympic Redshirt. King hasn’t competed at NCAAs since 2022, nonetheless, he was nice there, taking Seventh within the 100 free (41.34) and twelfth within the 50 free (19.02). He’ll are available in as Indiana’s high sprinter, holding profession bests of 18.96 within the 50 free and 41.34 within the 100 free. King additionally has a stable 1:34.33 200 free private greatest besides. King is coming off a really profitable summer season, whereby he certified for the US Olympic Group on the 4×100 free relay. King additionally clocked a profession better of 21.70 within the LC 50 free, taking Third within the occasion on the Olympic Trials with that efficiency, touching simply 0.01 seconds from making the Olympic Group in that occasion as nicely. He brings elite pace within the 50 and 100 to the desk instantly, and we’ll see if Ray Looze and his employees will be capable to develop him sufficient within the 200 free to make him a triple risk.
Miroslav Knedla, a freshman from the Czech Republic is a stable sprinter in his personal proper. It’s arduous to inform whether or not Knedla, who’s primarily a backstroker, will race any free individually, nonetheless, the potential is there. He’s 50.62 within the LC 100 free, a superb time for somebody who’s simply starting their school profession. His private better of 1:51.58 within the LC 200 free is in an analogous vein, so it is going to be fascinating to see how Knedla develops in these occasions.
We virtually actually gained’t see ASU switch Owen McDonald in any dash free occasions individually, however he’s sturdy there as nicely. McDonald holds a career-best of 42.81 within the 100 free, a time which he swam at a twin meet with Stanford final season, indicating he might go a bit quicker than that. He was additionally glorious within the occasion LC this summer season, clocking a profession better of 48.92 within the LC 100 free. McDonald can be a 1:32.06 200 freestyler, having gone a career-best of 1:47.87 within the LC occasion this summer season as nicely. McDonald will probably solely be racing freestyle on relays at large meets this season, nonetheless, he does add to the depth of this dash group.
McDonald’s youthful brother, Cooper McDonald, is a freshman at Indiana this season. Cooper is form of a “do all of it” freestyler, excelling in all distances of the stroke, so it is going to be fascinating to see the place he thrives essentially the most in school, the place he’ll should shave down his variety of occasions a bit. As a sprinter, the youthful McDonald enters school with a career-best of 20.40 within the 50 free. Whereas that won’t bounce off the web page, his private better of 43.78 within the 100 free, and 1:34.82 within the 200 free actually do. Coming in as a 1:34 200 freestyler, McDonald could possibly present some depth to Miroslaw at NCAAs this season as a freshman.
The Hoosiers even have Luke Barr returning for his senior season. Barr raced the 100 free at NCAAs final 12 months, ending forty seventh in 42.56. Mikkel Lee was additionally large for the Hoosiers final 12 months as a freshman, swimming a private better of 42.50 within the 100 free. Lee swam a profession greatest of twenty-two.13 within the LC 50 free over the summer season, so we’ll see how he develops in his 2nd 12 months with IU.
DISTANCE FREE: ★★★★
This distance group acquired a shot within the arm within the type of Zalan Sarkany. The switch from ASU will probably be getting into his junior 12 months. Sarkany is the defending NCAA champion within the 1650 free, having gained the occasion in 14:30.57. He has truly been a lot quicker than that, nonetheless, having gained the Pac-12 title in 14:23.01, which stands as his private greatest. Sarkany can be a superb 500 freestyler, holding a profession better of 4:09.19, which he swam at Pac-12s as nicely. He comes into this season as a contender in each occasions. Sarkany additionally had a superb summer season, inserting eleventh within the 1500 free, 14th within the 800 free, and 14th within the 400 free on the Olympics in Paris, all whereas clocking profession bests in all 3 occasions.
Rafael Miroslaw additionally got here into his personal within the 500 free final 12 months, swimming to a 14th-place end within the occasion at NCAAs. He clocked his profession better of 4:11.84 in prelims at NCAAs. Miroslaw and Sarkany will make for a fantastic 1-2 punch within the occasion.
Indiana misplaced an NCAA qualifier within the distance occasions from final 12 months in Tristan DeWitt, however they do achieve Cooper McDonald. Once more, it’s arduous to inform precisely what McDonald will find yourself racing now that he’s in school, however proper now it appears probably the five hundred free will probably be on his schedule. He was a incredible 500 freestyler in highschool, becoming a member of IU with a career-best of 4:17.99, which might have been 2nd on their roster final 12 months. He’ll have to enhance by a couple of seconds simply to qualify for NCAAs this season, however the potential is unquestionably there.
McDonald is a really sturdy miler as nicely. His private better of 15:14.31 within the 1650 free places him in a great place heading into school, if that’s an occasion he’s going to concentrate on.
BACKSTROKE: ★★★★
Regardless of the lack of Brendan Burns, this Indiana backstroke squad continues to be solidly a 4-star group. That’s virtually completely due to the addition of junior switch Owen McDonald and freshman Miroslav Knedla. McDonald was on of the highest backstrokers within the NCAA final 12 months, ending Third within the 200 again at NCAAs and sixth within the 100 again. He’s additionally coming off a powerful summer season after shifting to Bloomington, whereby he clocked profession bests within the LC 100 again (54.51) and 200 again (1:59.13), and was not too long ago named to the 2024-2025 USA Swimming Nationwide Group.
In the meantime, Knedla is a freshman from the Czech Republic, and he appears like he might make a large influence instantly within the NCAA. Knedla was the 2023 World Junior Champion within the LC 50 again and 100 again, and he got here in Seventh within the 100 again on the World Championships in February of this 12 months. Extra not too long ago, Knedla competed on the Paris Olympics, the place he completed tenth within the prelims of the 100 again earlier than taking twelfth within the semifinals. His profession better of 53.28 within the LC 100 again ranks among the many best possible LC occasions amongst lively NCAA swimmers.
Knedla isn’t fairly as sturdy within the 200 again as he’s within the 100 again, nonetheless, he should still turn into a powerful yards 200 backstroker as he spends extra time coaching at IU.
Along with McDonald and Knedla, IU returns Kai Van Westering for his junior season. Van Westering scored within the 200 again at NCAAs final 12 months, taking thirteenth within the occasion. He additionally competed within the 100 again, the place he got here in thirty third with a 46.18, nonetheless, Van Westering clocked a season-best of 45.43 on the Huge Ten Championships.
Luke Barr, who’s getting into his senior season with the Hoosiers, competed within the 100 again at NCAAs as nicely final 12 months, ending twenty seventh in a time of 45.79.
BREASTSTROKE: ★★★★★
To nobody’s shock, Indiana has one of many high breaststroke teams within the NCAA. Final season, they’d 4 swimmers go below 52 seconds within the 100 breast, 3 of whom are returning this season. In addition they had 4 swimmers below 1:52 within the 200 breast, 3 of whom return in that occasion as nicely.
The loss is Max Reich, who got here in tenth within the 200 breast at NCAAs final season and was twenty ninth in prelims of the 100 breast.
The duo of Josh Matheny and Jassen Yep are again for the Hoosiers, trying to lead this breaststroke group as soon as once more. Matheny was Indiana’s high 100 breaststroker final 12 months, clocking a season better of 51.07, which earned him sixth within the occasion at NCAAs. In the meantime, Yep, who’s returning for his Fifth Yr, was the main 200 breaststroker, clocking a career-best of 1:50.40 on the Huge Ten Championships. Yep got here in Seventh within the 200 breast at NCAAs. Matheny was IU’s 2nd-fastest 200 breaststroker, posting a season-best of 1:51.13, nonetheless, he was DQ’d within the occasion at NCAAs, in any other case, he probably would have scored there as nicely. Yep’s 100 breast time of 51.49 was Third on the IU depth chart final season.
Finn Brooks was the #2 100 breaststroker on the roster final 12 months, swimming a 51.30 on the Huge Ten Championships. Brooks missed out on qualifying for finals within the occasion at NCAAs, nonetheless, his season-best time would have been quick sufficient to take action.
Rising sophomore Toby Barnett was enormous for Indiana within the 200 breast final season as a freshman. He clocked a career-best of 1:51.95 within the 200 breast at Huge Tens, then went on to take 18th within the occasion at NCAAs.
Although Indiana is in nice form attributable to their returning swimmers, their new breaststroke addition will be the crowning jewel this season. Brian Benzing used his fifth 12 months of eligibility to switch to IU for this season, after spending his undergrad at Towson. Benzing got here in 2nd within the 100 breast at NCAAs final 12 months, clocking a profession greatest of fifty.59. He was additionally nice within the 200 breast, taking sixteenth.
Even with out taking any freshmen into consideration, this appears to be clearly among the finest breaststroke teams within the NCAA.
BUTTERFLY: ★★★★
Indiana returns two NCAA finalists within the 100 fly from final season. Tomer Frankel, who’s utilizing his fifth 12 months of eligibility to remain at Indiana, took 2nd within the 100 fly at NCAAs final season, posting a career-best of 43.85. He’s joined by Finn Brooks, who took fifteenth within the occasion and was Indiana’s 2nd-fastest swimmer final season with a 44.84.
Dylan Smiley confirmed a ton of promise within the 100 fly final 12 months as a freshman, and he’ll be trying to construct on that this season. Final 12 months, Smiley was IU’s Third-fastest 100 flyer, posting a private better of 45.64.
Within the 200 fly, the return of Frankel is huge as soon as once more. Final 12 months, Frankel got here in 4th within the occasion at NCAAs, swimming a 1:39.35. The Hoosiers misplaced Brendan Burns, nonetheless, and he was the Eighth-place finisher within the occasion final 12 months. It’s unclear whether or not any of the newcomers to the workforce will be capable to make an influence this season within the 200 fly, however, both method, the Hoosiers are in fine condition there with Frankel again.
IM: ★★★½
Indiana’s IM group has gone from a bit on the skinny aspect final 12 months, to incredible this 12 months, all due to their newcomers. Final 12 months as a freshman, Toby Barnett was enormous for the Hoosiers within the 400 IM. He led the workforce by a number of seconds, clocking a career-best of three:41.37 on the Huge Ten Championships. He ended up coming in 18th within the occasion at NCAAs with a 3:42.16. That being stated, Barnett will probably be trying to construct on that momentum in his sophomore season.
Lucas Piunti and Drew Reiter are each again for the Hoosiers as nicely, they usually have been sturdy within the 400 IM final 12 months behind Barnett. Each Piunti and Reiter went 3:44 within the 400 IM final season.
The addition of Zalan Sarkany will probably be enormous for the 400 IM group at Indiana. Sarkany holds a career-best of three:40.50 within the 400 IM, which he swam on the Pac-12 Championships final season. He and Barnett ought to make a fantastic 1-2 for Indiana within the occasion.
Cooper McDonald will most likely be within the 200 free on that day of the championship meets, nonetheless, he’s a promising 400 IM’er both method. McDonald enters school with a career-best of three:48.88.
Indiana sees Owen McDonald, the NCAA runner-up from final 12 months, be a part of the workforce to steer the 200 IM’ers. McDonald got here in 2nd within the occasion final 12 months with a career-best of 1:39.23. He’ll be becoming a member of Luke Barr, who was IU’s main 200 IM’er final season with a 1:41.97. Owen’s youthful brother, Cooper, might be impactful within the occasion as nicely, getting into school with a 1:46.33 within the occasion.
On high of that, Miroslav Knedla might be an enormous 200 IM’er for the Hoosiers this season, as he holds a career-best of two:00.26 within the LC 200 IM. We haven’t seen him race yards but, however that point in meters ought to imply he’ll be a really aggressive 200 IM’er within the NCAA.
DIVING: ★★★★★
That is as five-star diving squad as there may be. One of many premier diving groups within the NCAA, and one of the vital storied, Indiana ought to roll in diving as soon as once more this season. Final 12 months Carson Tyler was the NCAA Champion in 3-meter and platform diving, whereas Quinn Henninger took 2nd in 1-meter and 3-meter. They have been each triple threats, as Tyler additionally took fifth in 1-meter to associate with his titles, whereas Henninger got here in Seventh on platform.
They have been simply the tip of the iceberg, nonetheless, as then-sophomore Max Weinrich totaled 19 factors for Indiana in diving as nicely. He competed in all 3 occasions, taking 2nd in platform, fifteenth in 3-meter, and twenty eighth in 1-meter. Which means Indiana returns the NCAA champion, runner-up, and Seventh-place finisher in platform diving from final 12 months.
To place it in context, Tyler, Henninger, and Weinrich mixed for 121 factors at NCAAs final 12 months. 121 factors would have are available in eleventh as a workforce for the meet. In different phrases, Indiana’s diving squad that they return from final 12 months is sort of a high 10 swimming and diving workforce within the NCAA by themselves.
RELAYS: ★★★★
Be aware that the grading system doesn’t align completely for relays as double factors.
Relay grading system:
- 5 star (★★★★★) – 31+ factors per relay occasion
- 4 star (★★★★) – 22-30 relay factors per occasion
- 3 star (★★★) – 12-21 relay factors per occasion
- 2 star (★★) – 5-11 relay factors per occasion
- 1 star (★) – 0-4 relay factors per occasion
Given the additions to the workforce, Indiana’s relays needs to be in higher form than they have been final season. They added important depth within the dash free occasions, and whereas the lack of Brendan Burns hurts the medley relays a bit, including Owen McDonald and Miroslav Knedla into the combination ought to utterly mitigate that loss. Moreover, Matt King might present an excellent quicker freestyler on these medley relays, and Brian Benzing might present a little bit of a lift on breaststroke as nicely.
Whole Stars: 33/40
2024/2025 OUTLOOK
Indiana is in an exceptional place heading into this season, most likely the perfect place within the NCAA. They return 13 of 17 members of their NCAA Champs roster from final season, and herald some significantly heavy hitters on high of that.
To place it to you this manner, when you put solely Indiana’s new swimmers for this season on a workforce by themselves, they’d be proper round a high 10 workforce at NCAAs, and they might be there with none relays. Owen McDonald, Zalan Sarkany, Brian Benzing, and Matt King accounted for 106 factors at NCAAs final 12 months (King’s most up-to-date NCAAs was 2022, the place he scored 17 factors), which might have been twelfth as a workforce ultimately 12 months’s meet. That’s not even taking Miroslav Knedla into consideration, and as a World Junior Champs gold medalist and World Champs finalist, he actually has the potential to make a big impact in his freshman season.
All that’s to say, Indiana greater than made up for the lack of Brendan Burns and Max Reich from final 12 months’s roster, to the purpose the place they’ve a considerably higher roster this season. These additions may also assist bolster their relays much more.
Indiana can be helped by the truth that defending NCAA champions Arizona State noticed their workforce splintered after head coach Bob Bowman took the pinnacle teaching job at Texas. Two of ASU’s greatest swimmers in McDonald and Sarkany transferred over to IU, whereas a couple of others adopted Bowman to Texas.
With the return of this remaining group of Fifth Years, alongside this unbelievable incoming class of transfers and freshmen, Indiana is in glorious place to win the NCAA title this season. Issues can change, however at this second, it seems like every thing is breaking in favor of the Hoosiers. This can be a roster with elite expertise in each self-discipline, together with diving, they usually have the juice to take this factor all the best way after years and years of high 5 finishes.
MEN’S PREVIEW INDEX:
| Group | Dash Free | Distance Free | Backstroke | Breaststroke | Butterfly | IM | Diving | Relays | Whole Stars |
| #4 Indiana Hoosiers | ★★★½ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★½ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | 33/40 |
| #5 NC State Wolfpack | ★★★½ | ★★★★½ | ★★★ | ★★½ | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★ | ★★★★★ | 27.5/40 |
| #6 Tennessee Volunteers | ★★★★ | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★★ | ★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ | 17/40 |
| #7 Texas Longhorns | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★ | ★ | ★★★★★ | ★★½ | ★★★★ | 26.5/40 |
| #8 Stanford Cardinal | ★★½ | ★★ | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★½ | ★★★ | ★★★½ | ★★★★ | 23.5/40 |
| #9 Virginia Tech Hokies | ★★★ | ★ | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★ | ★★★½ | 19.5/40 |
| #10 Notre Dame Combating Irish | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Suspended |
| ★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★ | ★★★ | 20/40 | |
| #12 Auburn Tigers | ★½ | ★★★ | ★★½ | ★★ | ★ | ★★½ | ★ | ★★★½ | 17/40 |
