By Emily Ducker, Sun Devil Athletics Media Relations Assistant
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Despite being over 8,000 miles from his hometown of Melbourne, Australia, sophomore Sun Devil swimmer Carter Swift is making the transition to his new home in Tempe with ease.
Swift, who transferred from Eastern Michigan University after their men's swim team was cut at the conclusion of last season, is already having a profound impact on his fellow Sun Devils.
"He's a leader," said assistant coach Dan Kesler. "He helps out with freshmen, understands the ASU way and he's able to provide an upperclassman view on things. He's adjusted and fitting in exactly how he thought we would."
Swift, who was not initially planning on pursuing a collegiate swimming career, ended up at EMU because of former head coach Peter Linn, who had worked with ASU head coach Bob Bowman. When he found out that swimming at EMU would no longer be an option, Swift was guided toward ASU by Linn and fellow teammates.
"Arizona State was the best choice for me with my ambitions and goals to be able to get to the next level," he said.
Before making his way to Tempe for the 2018-19 school year, Swift spent his summer swimming for the New Zealand national team at the Oceania Games, where he took home gold in the 100 free, 50 fly and four relays, as well as silver in the 50 free.
"Whenever someone swims at that level and gets to go to major meets, there's a calmness that they're able to have when we go up against the best competition," Kesler said. "There's a calmness, confidence and an even-keeled attitude to be able to get up there and do your best."
In addition to his talent in the pool, Swift brings a positive and encouraging attitude to the team.
"He's very positive all the time," said senior Danny Comforti, a new teammate of Swift's. " I rarely hear him say negative things about himself, anyone else or the situation he's in."
Though the Sun Devils' training regiment has been an adjustment for Swift, he's taking it in stride.
Swift has already begun to shine against elite competition while wearing maroon and gold, as the Australian secured two NCAA B-Cuts in the 50 free and the 100 free at the Indiana Invitational in November. He swam B Cuts in the 50 free, 100 free and 200 free last season as a freshman at EMU, but cut his times down significantly this year compared to last season.
"The practices have been hard for me aerobically," he said. "It's pushing me a lot which is good because I like being put out of my comfort zone."
Though he's only been with the team for a couple months, Swift has already found his place in the Sun Devil family.
"He came in and everyone befriended him from the beginning," Comforti said. "His presence uplifts everyone and I think we're going to accomplish a lot with him on the team."
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Despite being over 8,000 miles from his hometown of Melbourne, Australia, sophomore Sun Devil swimmer Carter Swift is making the transition to his new home in Tempe with ease.
Swift, who transferred from Eastern Michigan University after their men's swim team was cut at the conclusion of last season, is already having a profound impact on his fellow Sun Devils.
"He's a leader," said assistant coach Dan Kesler. "He helps out with freshmen, understands the ASU way and he's able to provide an upperclassman view on things. He's adjusted and fitting in exactly how he thought we would."
Swift, who was not initially planning on pursuing a collegiate swimming career, ended up at EMU because of former head coach Peter Linn, who had worked with ASU head coach Bob Bowman. When he found out that swimming at EMU would no longer be an option, Swift was guided toward ASU by Linn and fellow teammates.
"Arizona State was the best choice for me with my ambitions and goals to be able to get to the next level," he said.
Before making his way to Tempe for the 2018-19 school year, Swift spent his summer swimming for the New Zealand national team at the Oceania Games, where he took home gold in the 100 free, 50 fly and four relays, as well as silver in the 50 free.
"Whenever someone swims at that level and gets to go to major meets, there's a calmness that they're able to have when we go up against the best competition," Kesler said. "There's a calmness, confidence and an even-keeled attitude to be able to get up there and do your best."
In addition to his talent in the pool, Swift brings a positive and encouraging attitude to the team.
"He's very positive all the time," said senior Danny Comforti, a new teammate of Swift's. " I rarely hear him say negative things about himself, anyone else or the situation he's in."
Though the Sun Devils' training regiment has been an adjustment for Swift, he's taking it in stride.
Swift has already begun to shine against elite competition while wearing maroon and gold, as the Australian secured two NCAA B-Cuts in the 50 free and the 100 free at the Indiana Invitational in November. He swam B Cuts in the 50 free, 100 free and 200 free last season as a freshman at EMU, but cut his times down significantly this year compared to last season.
"The practices have been hard for me aerobically," he said. "It's pushing me a lot which is good because I like being put out of my comfort zone."
Though he's only been with the team for a couple months, Swift has already found his place in the Sun Devil family.
"He came in and everyone befriended him from the beginning," Comforti said. "His presence uplifts everyone and I think we're going to accomplish a lot with him on the team."