Feb. 12, 2002
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This Week
Wrapping up what have already been successful dual seasons, Arizona State will host the swimming and diving teams of Arizona to wrap up the 2001-02 regular season at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center, Saturday, February 16, at noon. The ASU men (5-3) are ranked seventh in the nation, just ahead of eighth-ranked Arizona (tied with USC). The Sun Devil men have defeated the Wildcats in five of the last six dual meetings. The Sun Devil women (6-3), ranked 10th behind No. 7 Arizona, will be looking for their first dual win over the Wildcats since 1994. This matchup of intrastate rivals will mark the final home meet for 12 ASU seniors.
The Polls
The College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) releases national rankings on a bi-weekly basis. After both Sun Devil teams debuted at No. 13 in the polls (Nov. 1), in the most recent Jan. 31 rankings the ASU men dropped to seventh after two polls at No. 5, and the women dropped from seventh to 10th. A complete list of those current rankings appears on Page 2 of this release. The next poll will be released February 21, just prior to ASU's weekend meets. For more information, access www.cscaa.org.
ASU vs. Arizona
Watching over both the men's and women's programs at Arizona is 13th-year head coach Frank Busch. The diving coach is Michele Mitchell-Rocha, in her fifth season.
Among those to watch on the men's side is senior Roland Schoeman, who is currently ranked first in the nation in the 50 free (19.33) and second in the 100 free (43.10). Also in the top-10 in both those events is Eric LaFleur.
On the women's side, Beth Botsford is ranked second in the nation in the 100 back (53.32) and 200 back (1:53.76). Sarah Tolar, the older sister of Sun Devil freshman Bob Tolar, is among the nation's best in the 200 free 1:47.27.
ASU, Last Time In The Pool
Competing at Arizona's Hillenbrand Aquatic Center, ASU's swimming and diving teams fell to Texas by scores of 188.5-153.5 (men) and 156-91 (women). The Sun Devil women returned to Tempe to host Northern Arizona, picking up their sixth win of the season 150-91. Picking up wins for the men against Texas were Nick Brunelli in the 50 free (20.60) and 100 free (45.32), Rich Jacobs in the 400 IM (4:01.16) and Derek Miller in the 1650 free (15:45.01). The women got first-place finishes out of ?gnes Kov?cs in the 100 breast (1:02.81), 200 breast (2:11.20) and 400 IM (4:19.88). Against Northern Arizona, the Sun Devils generally competed its top swimmers away from their strengths, allowing senior Riley Mants a spotlight win in the 100 breast (1:04.30), while Kov?cs won the 1000 free in 10:06.76. Freshman Sarah Fischer won the 50 free (24.63) and 100 fly (58.16) and Natalie Burgess won both the 1-meter (263.25) and 3-meter (301.27) springboard events. Other individual winners were Brooke Townsend in the 200 IM (2:09.37), Florencia Szigeti in the 100 back (1:00.21) and Sarah Baham in the 500 free (5:07.38).
Up Next For The Sun Devils
On to the post-season! For both the men and women, the first stop is the Pac-10 Championships in Long Beach, Calif. The women's swimming championships run from February 28 through March 2, while the men's championships are March 7-9. The Pac-10 Diving Championships are in Tucson, Ariz., coinciding with the dates of the women's swimming championships, February 28 through March 2.
For those who qualify, the women's NCAA Championships are March 21-23 in College Station, Texas. The men's NCAA Championships are March 28-30 in Athens, Ga.
Stand-out Sun Devil Swimmers & Divers
Sarah Baham (All-American -- Senior) --
Notched NCAA automatic qualifying times in the 100 fly (54.34) and 200 fly (1:58.84) at the Texas Invitational, placing fourth in both. Also swam a consideration time of 4:19.26 in the 400 IM (10th). Swam a victorious 2:00.59 in the 200 fly at Cal last weekend.
NCAA History * 2001: All-America: 100 fly (10th), 200 fly (10th), 200 medley relay (12th), 400 medley relay (8th). 2000: All-America: 100 fly (8th), 200 fly (10th), 400 medley relay (10th). 1999: All-America: 800 free relay (16th).
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 100 fly 53.68 (1st), 200 fly 1:58.22 (1st), 200 IM 2:04.93, 400 IM 4:19.26 (7th), 50 free 23.65 (7th), 100 free 51.19.
Nick Brunelli (All-American -- Sophomore) --
Although short of any automatic qualifying times, set personal bests in the 50, 100 and 200 free at the Texas Invitational, all in NCAA consideration standards. Won the 100 free in 43.73, placed second in the 50 free (19.81) and fifth in the 200 free (1:37.47). Coming off wins in the 50 and 100 free vs. Texas.
NCAA History * 2001: All-America: 200 free relay (11th), 400 free relay (8th), 100 free qualifier.
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 50 free 19.81 (4th), 100 free 43.73 (4th-t), 200 free 1:37.47, 100 back 49.27 (5th), 200 back 1:49.82, 200 IM 1:52.91.
Natalie Burgess (Senior) --
Burgess approached her ASU record mark of 341.40, with a 339.10 vs. Wisconsin. She has two wins from the 1-meter and three from 3-meters after sweeping the springboard events at Cal.
NCAA History * 2001: All-America: 200 free relay (11th), 400 free relay (8th), 100 free qualifier.
Top Collegiate Scores (ASU rank) * 1-meter, 6-dive optionals 284.07 (1st), 3-meter, 6-dives 341.40 (1st), platform, 10 dives 340.00.
Christian Harcsas (Junior) --
At the Texas Invitational, placed fifth in the 100 back (48.94) and fourth in the 200 back (1:45.54). Steadily moving up ASU's all-time top-10 lists, both were NCAA consideration times for Harcsas.
NCAA History * None.
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 100 back 48.94 (5th), 200 back 1:45.54 (4th).
Claire Hedenskog (All-American -- Junior) --
Improved her personal bests in the 50 and 100 free at the Texas Invitational. Placed seventh in the 50 free (23.32), matching her prelim time. Placed eighth in the 100 free in 50.71, although her prelim time of 50.32 made her the second-fastest Sun Devil ever in the event. Only school record holder Nancy Osborne has raced faster (49.90). Sat out a few meets due to injury, but made her return vs. Cal.
NCAA History * 2001: All-America: 200 medley relay (12th), 400 medley relay (8th), 100 free qualifier.
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 50 free 23.32 (3rd), 100 free 50.32 (2nd), 200 free 1:50.27.
Ahmed Hussein (Sophomore) --
Placed second in the 100 back (48.03) and eighth in the 200 back (1:48.44) at the Texas Invitational. Although his finals time in the 100 back made him the second fastest Sun Devil ever in the event (behind only Pablo Abal's 47.85), Hussein's prelim time in the 200 back (1:45.07) ranked him third all-time at ASU in that event. Both of Hussein's bests are NCAA consideration times.
NCAA History * None.
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 100 back 48.03 (2nd), 200 back 1:45.07 (3rd), 100 fly 52.44, 200 IM 2:01.22.
?gnes Kov?cs (Reigning Olympic and World 200m Breast Champion -- Freshman) --
While improving her collegiate bests in four events, became the school record holder in two of them at the Texas Invitational. Won the 200 breast in an NCAA automatic qualifying time of 2:07.98, almost a full second ahead of her nearest competitor (Stanford's Tara Kirk: 2:08.84), and almost two seconds ahead of the previous ASU record (Beata Kaszuba's 2:09.71). Placed third in the 400 IM in an NCAA automatic time of 4:11.68, besting Carolyn Adel's ASU record of 4:13.05 by more than a second. In the 100 breast, improved her best to 1:00.68 (NCAA auto), placing third. In the 200 IM, placed fifth with an NCAA consideration standard of 2:01.27. At Stanford, touched the wall in 2:10.40 to defeat defending national champion Tara Kirk with what is believed to be the fastest dual meet time in NCAA history.
NCAA History * None.
International History * 2000 Olympics: Gold medal 200m breast, fifth-place 100m breast. 1996 Olympics: Bronze medal 200m breast. 2001 World Championships: Gold medal 200m breast. 1998 World Championships: Gold medal 200m breast.
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 100 breast 1:00.68 (2nd), 200 breast 2:07.98 (1st), 200 IM 2:01.27 (3rd), 400 IM 4:11.68 (1st).
Anders Lyrbring (All-American -- Junior) --
Earned season-bests in the 100 and 200 free at the Texas Invitational.
Placed 12th in the 100 free in 45.26 (45.13 in prelims), but finished third in the 200 free in an NCAA consideration time of 1:37.10, the fastest time by a Sun Devil this season.
NCAA History * 2001: All-America: 200 free relay (11th) 400 free relay (8th), 800 free relay (4th), 100 free and 200 free qualifier. 2000: All-America: 200 free (16th), 200 free relay (9th), 800 free relay (2nd), 100 free and 400 free qualifier.
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 50 free 20.53, 100 free 44.23 (10th-t), 200 free 1:35.89 (4th), 500 free 4:23.96.
Simon MacDonald (All-American -- Senior) --
Patching holes in the Sun Devil lineup, placed sixth in the 100 breast at the Texas Invitational, not only scoring an NCAA consideration time (55.87), but moving to eighth all-time at ASU in the event. Also at the Invite, notched consideration times in the 50 free (20.25), 100 free (44.84) and 100 fly (48.56). In finals of those latter events, placed sixth, sixth and seventh, respectively.
NCAA History * 2001: All-America: 200 free relay (11th), 400 free relay (8th). 2000: All-America: 200 free relay (9th), 200 medley relay (place), 50 free and 100 free qualifier. 1999: All-America: 200 free relay (8th), 400 free relay (11th), 800 free relay (13th), 200 medley relay (11th), 400 medley relay.
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 50 free 19.94 (5th), 100 free 44.55, 100 fly 48.54, 100 breast 55.87 (8th).
Riley Mants (All-American -- Senior) --
Recorded her fastest times of the season at the Texas Invitational, placing ninth in the 100 breast (1:03.74) and sixth in the 200 breast (2:16.66), both NCAA consideration times. Comes of third-place finishes at Stanford (behind only Olympic champ Kov?cs and NCAA champ Kirk) in both breast events: 1:04.57 (100), 2:16.53 (200).
NCAA History * 2001: All-America: 200 breast (15th), 200 medley relay (12th), 400 medley relay (8th). 2000: All-America: 400 medley relay (10th). 1999: All-America: 100 breast (11th), 200 breast (4th).
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 100 breast 1:02.44 (3rd), 200 breast 2:12.47 (3rd), 200 IM 2:02.95 (5th).
Gavin Meadows (All-American -- Senior) --
Swam fastest times of the season in three events at the Texas Invitational. Placed fourth in the 200 free (1:37.31), sixth in the 500 free (4:24.08) and 16th in the 100 free (45.45, prelim of 45.06). Efforts in the 200 and 500 free earned NCAA consideration qualification.
NCAA History * 2001: All-America: 200 free (12th), 800 free relay (4th), 500 free qualifier.
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 100 free 44.99, 200 free 1:36.31 (7th), 500 free 4:21.85 (7th).
Miranda Shald (All-American -- Sophomore) --
Although she dropped her competitive season best in the 100 back to 55.39 with a sixth-place finish in the 100 back at the Texas Invitational, Shald improved her own school record in the 100 back to 55.11, based on her opening split for the 400 medley relay team that placed fourth in an NCAA automatic qualifying time, and school record of 3:39.50. Also moved to sixth all-time at ASU with her 18th-place showing in the 100 fly (55.53).
NCAA History * 2001: All-America: 200 medley relay (12th), 400 medley relay (8th), 100 back qualifier.
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 100 back ~55.11 (1st), 200 back 2:04.42, 100 fly 55.53 (6th), 50 free 25.37.
Amanda Stanford (Senior) --
Although shy of her personal best time of 4:49.44 in prelims, placed eighth in the 500 free at the Texas Invitational in 4:52.33. Finished sixth in the 1650 free with a personal best of 16:37.36. Both are NCAA consideration times. Moved to ninth all-time in the 1000 free thanks to 10:00.80 vs. UCLA.
NCAA History * None.
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 200 free 1:50.91, 500 free 4:49.44 (9th), 1000 free 10:00.80 (9th), 1650 free 16:37.36 (7th).
Florencia Szigeti (Freshman) --
Placed sixth in the 200 free at the Texas Invitational in an NCAA consideration time of 1:48.47. Also improved her time in the 50 free to 23.77 during prelims, before swimming 23.83 in finals. Her best in the 100 free is still her 50.68 vs. UCLA.
NCAA History * None.
International History * South American record holder in short-course 200-meter free 1:59.43 (1:47.00, converted), Argentine short-course record holder in 100m free 56.19 (50.34 converted).
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 50 free 23.77, 100 free 50.68 (6th), 200 free 1:48.47 (5th).
Brooke Townsend (Sophomore) --
Became the school record holder in the 500 freestyle with her 4:45.09 effort during prelims at the Texas Invitational. Swam 4:46.30 to place fourth in finals. Finished second in the 1650 free, swimming the fourth-fastest time in school history at 16:23.93. Both personal bests are NCAA automatics.
NCAA History * None.
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 200 free 1:50.14, 500 free 4:45.09 (1st), 1000 free 10:04.18, 1650 free 16:23.93 (4th).
Bo West (All-American -- Senior) --
Set a personal best in the 200 back prelims at the Texas Invitational, swimming 1:47.69. Placed seventh in the finals in 1:48.26. Earned NCAA consideration in the 200 free, with season best of 1:37.98, before placing seventh in finals at 1:38.06.
NCAA History * 2001: All-America: 800 free relay (4th), 200 free qualifier. 2000: All-America: 800 free relay (2nd), 100 free, 200 free and 400 free qualifier. 1999: All-America: 200 free (11th), 200 free relay (8th), 400 free relay (11th).
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 50 free 20.70, 100 free 44.75, 200 free 1:36.52, 500 free 4:24.64, 100 back ~49.86 (9th), 200 back 1:47.69 (7th).
Kari Wilcox (Freshman) --
Only a freshman, Wilcox already has NCAA consideration times in the 200 IM (2:03.82) and 400 IM (4:20.71) after her performances at the Texas Invite. She's now ranked ninth all-time at ASU in the 400 IM.
NCAA History * None.
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 100 free 51.18, 200 free 1:52.59, 100 back 59.03, 200 back 2:03.24, 200 IM 2:03.82, 400 IM 4:20.71 (9th).
Sun Devil Men's Relays --
At the Texas Invitational, ASU improved its season best relay times in the 200 free (1:19.41), 400 free (2:56.66), 200 medley (1:28.90) and 400 medley (3:16.18). ASU's top 800 free team was disqualified at the Texas Invite.
Sun Devil Women's Relays --
The Sun Devils established three ASU records at the Texas Invitational. In the 400 free, a team of Szigeti, Wilcox, Baham and Hedenskog clocked in at 3:22.03. In the 200 medley and 400 medley relays, Shald, Kovacs, Baham and Hedenskog went 1:40.87 and 3:39.50, respectively. The 400 medley effort was an NCAA automatic qualifier. ASU's other consideration standards are 1:33.63 in the 200 free relay and 7:18.85 in the 800 free relay.