TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona State swimming and diving squad hosts in-state rival University of Arizona on Saturday, Feb. 6 at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center at 1 p.m.
The Sun Devil men and women will aim to end streaks against the No. 6 Wildcat men and No. 7 women in front of what is expected to be a record crowd.
"Emotions are expected to be high and I've learned quickly that this rivalry is real," said head coach Bob Bowman. "We expect a great meet and hope to put on quite a show for the large crowd that is expected at Mona Plummer. Not to mention the Olympians who should put on a great show."
Along with ASU and Arizona competing in the pool, Michael Phelps, Allison Schmitt and other Olympians will swim exhibition events at the 20-minute and 15-minute breaks during the meet.
For the Devils, sophomore Patrick Park and juniors Richard Bohus and Barkley Perry will spear the men's squad, as they look to knock off Arizona for the first time since 2002.
Teammates Tadas Duskinas -- in the butterfly and freestyle -- and backstroker Christian Lorenz will also join the charge for the Sun Devil men.
For the women, a strong performance could help them upset Arizona for the first time since 1999.
Junior Alysha Bush and Anna Olasz have been steady throughout the season on different spectrums, as Bush specializes in the sprints while Olasz is the go-to distance swimmer for the Devils.
Bush has put together seven first-place finishes in 15 dual-meet races, and has another six second-place times as well.
Fellow junior Katarina Simonovic has come on strong since the winter break for ASU in the freestyle and butterfly events.
In her last six events, Simonovic has tallied two first-place times and three second-place finishes, where as in her first eight races of the season, she earned just one top time.
But it has been sophomore diver Mara Aiacoboae who has helped the Sun Devil women earn consistent points as of late, as she has tallied first-place dives in four of her six events in January. Aiacoboae was named the women's Pac-12 Diver of the Month for January and will aim to continue that recent dominance off the springboard.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early for seating, as the 2,000-seat capacity Mona Plummer Aquatic Center is expected to be sold out. Admission is free and is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
If you cannot attend the meet, please watch from home or your mobile device on our livestream here.