Success Follows USC Swimmers Into the Off-Season

It was a whirlwind 2010-11 season for the boys' swim team. They and for the first time since 1972. Now, yet another huge honor is piled on top of the victories as the boys' team ranks third nationally in a virtual dual meet ranking competition.

"This national, virtual competition further solidifies the talent that runs deep throughout this team," head coach Tom Donati said after hearing the results.

Here's how the virtual competition works. Coach Donati submitted specific scores and times from dual meet competition throughout the season. The National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (NISCA) then compares those swimmers against other swimmers across the country. The athletes are specifically pitted against schools from other states that match the size demographic. Overall, nearly 200 boys' teams across 39 states were entered in the competition. The USC boys swim team achieved third place in Class 2—going up against other schools with a student population of less than or equal to 1,400.

"It's really a cool way to see how we stack up nationally against other teams. I'd say the boys team did an exceptional job in their dual meet competition all season long to achieve this significant ranking," Donati said.

This is a huge honor for the school and gives their head coach every reason to be proud of his squad. It's a cherry on top of .

However, Coach Donati isn't satisfied with a one-hit wonder. but is building a tradition of maintaining excellence.

"We are working hard in the off-season and looking forward to another great year," Donati said with his eye on the future.

Gone is one of the best swimmers USC has ever scene in who will be swimming for the University of Virginia next season. However, Coach Donati didn't have to look very far for a replacement. Kyle's younger brother, Ryan, is heading into the ninth grade and will surely make an immediate impact on the varsity team.  Many think it's only a matter of time before they are removing the name "Kyle" in front of many records and replacing it with the name "Ryan"  on the big board of records that overlooks the pool. At least they'll save money and won't need to replace the last name. Kyle's sister, Brittany, will be a junior this season and is making great strides for the girls' team.

"Two girls come to mind, Brittany Dudzinski and Natalie Johnsen are becoming leaders in and out of the pool," Donati said proudly when speaking about swimmers that have impressed him in the off-season.

On the boys side, Coach Donati says Alex Hardwick, who will be a sophomore this year, has stood out over the summer.

The 2010-11 USC swim team certainly set a high standard of success. All indications are that this off-season, the team and the coaches are looking to build off of that success. The future is bright for USC swimming, and nobody is taking it for granted.