Opening Day Report + Day 2 Live Update: Virginia, NC State, Georgia and Alabama Take Center Stage
The College Swimming League made its debut Thursday night at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont, Illinois, bringing a new fast-paced format to college swimming with Indiana, Louisville, Michigan and Ohio State competing in the inaugural match.
Indiana made history as the league’s first winner, scoring 575.5 points to finish ahead of Louisville (451.5), Michigan (420.5) and Ohio State (250.5). Men’s and women’s results were combined into one team score, with the meet featuring 30 events along with the CSL’s elimination-style Skins and Super Skins races.
The Hoosiers won 16 of the 30 events. Liberty Clark and Alex Shackell led the way with three victories apiece. Clark swept the women’s 50, 100 and 200 freestyle, while Shackell won the 200 butterfly, 100 butterfly and individual Skins competition.
Miranda Grana added victories in the women’s 200 and 100 backstroke, while Raekwon Noel swept the men’s backstroke events. Michigan’s Lorne Wigginton was another standout, winning the men’s 500 freestyle, 200 butterfly and 200 freestyle.
Louisville’s Nikita Sheremet provided some of the night’s biggest sprint fireworks. Sheremet won the men’s 50 freestyle in 19.47 and swept all four rounds of the individual Skins competition, breaking 21 seconds in every round.
Watch: Men’s 200 Backstroke From the Opening CSL Meet
Indiana’s Raekwon Noel won the men’s 200 backstroke in 1:39.02, just ahead of Louisville’s Filip Kosinski at 1:39.82. Indiana teammate David Kovacs finished third in 1:41.98.
Men’s 200 backstroke from the opening College Swimming League meet. Video courtesy of Indiana Swimming.
Virginia, NC State, Georgia and Alabama Take Over Friday
The second College Swimming League meet brought another loaded field to Westmont on Friday, with Virginia, NC State, Georgia and Alabama competing in the four-team format.
The meet brings together four nationally prominent programs and some of the fastest swimmers in the NCAA, with Virginia’s six-time defending NCAA champion women’s program joined by ACC rival NC State and SEC powers Georgia and Alabama.
Friday’s racing quickly produced some impressive early-season speed. Here are a few highlights from the action.
Highlights From Today’s Meet
Anna Moesch Wins Women’s 100 Freestyle for Virginia
Virginia’s Anna Moesch captured the women’s 100 freestyle, adding a victory for the Cavaliers in their first College Swimming League appearance.
Virginia’s Anna Moesch wins the women’s 100 freestyle in College Swimming League Match 2.
Jerry Fox Wins Fast Men’s 100 Freestyle
NC State’s Jerry Fox won a blazing men’s 100 freestyle, with Virginia’s Maximus Williamson taking second. Both swimmers broke the 42-second barrier in one of the fastest races of Friday’s meet.
NC State’s Jerry Fox wins the men’s 100 freestyle ahead of Virginia’s Maximus Williamson, with both swimmers breaking 42 seconds.
A Different Kind of College Swim Meet
The opening two CSL matches are providing the first real look at the league’s attempt to package college swimming differently for athletes and fans.
Men’s and women’s performances contribute to one combined team score. The meet moves through a condensed schedule of traditional races before adding the elimination-style Skins and Super Skins competitions.
The individual Skins competition sends swimmers through rapid elimination rounds until two remain for a head-to-head final. Super Skins brings the elimination concept to the 200-yard medley relay.
The format also has consequences beyond an individual meet. Twelve programs are competing in the CSL’s inaugural season, with teams accumulating points toward the postseason and the College Swimming League Championship in November.
WATCH ON ESPN+
College Swimming League Match 2
Virginia • NC State • Georgia • Alabama
FMC Natatorium • Westmont, Illinois
From Indiana’s team victory Thursday to Friday’s sprint fireworks from Moesch, Fox and Williamson, the opening two days are providing an early look at the College Swimming League’s new approach to presenting elite college swimming.
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