?? ?????? @SotDPodcast ??
— Brad Denny (@BDenny29) December 26, 2022
He's coached the ?? @MichaelPhelps & he now has the Sun Devils at No. 1 in the nation.
An in-depth conversation with @ASUSwimDive's @coach_bowman
????????????
Stream https://t.co/9Al3hkKnVo
Apple https://t.co/XAoTEThZnh
Spotify https://t.co/2OnJ6d3afq pic.twitter.com/f1Kb2FXBxF
LINKS AND. FEATURES
--A Garden In the Desert: Bob Bowman Has Led a Dynamic Surge At ASU (by John Lohn, Swimming World/June 22, 2023)
--Sun Devil Swimming/Diving to focus on 2021-22; reshirt rosters in 2020-21
--An interview with Bob Bowman talking about redshirting the 2020-21 season (KPNX-12/Aug. 3, 2020)
--Bob Bowman’s new chapter after Phelps’s retirement
--How swimming royalty came to the Valley/ASU (by Jeff Metcalfe, azcentral.com/April, 2016)
Bob Bowman (hired April 24, 2015), mentor of the world’s most decorated Olympian and two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year, was named Arizona State head men's and women's swimming coach prior to the 2015-16 season. Coach Bowman is the third head coach in ASU history to direct both the men and women's swimming teams, and is the sixth head coach of the men's program and the seventh of the women’s program. In 2022-23, he guided the Sun Devil Men -- who were ranked No. 1 in the nation for the first time in school history -- to a Pac-12 Championship title and a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships, both program-bests.
?? 9 Pac-12 Champions
— Sun Devil Swim/Dive (@ASUSwimDive) April 30, 2020
?? 89 All-Americans
?? Four wins (and one tie) against Arizona men
?? Two wins against Arizona women
It's five pretty good years under @coach_bowman ?? pic.twitter.com/b1B9qUjr9D
The Sun Devil Men put a stamp on their incredible 2022-23 season by finishing second at the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center to secure the best national finish in school history. The Sun Devils had previously never finished better than sixth at the national championships. Léon Marchand won the 200 IM, 200 breast and 400 IM in Minneapolis, setting new NCAA records in each event. Earlier in March 2023, the Sun Devils stormed to their first Pac-12 Championship in program history where they won nine races, broke eight school records and never once let go of their clutch of first place. In December, the Sun Devils earned the No. 1 ranking in the country by the CSCAA for the first time in school history. They steamrolled their way through the early months of 2023, taking down No. 12 Stanford, No. 2 Cal and No. 19 Arizona in a two-week span. They carried that momentum into March, where they compiled the greatest postseason stretch in school history.
Marchand earned Pac-12 Swimmer of the Year and CSCAA Division I Swimmer of the Year honors for the second consecutive season. Jonny Kulow was named the conference's Freshman of the Year, becoming the fourth Sun Devil of the Bob Bowman era to win the award. The Sun Devil Women showcased their youth in all of 2022-23, where a handful of underclassmen came up in big spots throughout the year. Charli Brown, Ieva Maluka, Iza Adame, Emma Gehlert, Katherine Randall, Indigo Armon, Izzy Krantzcke and Ginger McMahon were among the many underclassmen to make an impact this season, a sign that the Sun Devils have the foundation to continue growing in the coming years.
The Sun Devil Women were terrific down the stretch to close out the '22-23 regular season, in which they won three of their final four dual meets -- (Washington State, No. 11 Cal and Arizona). In the regular season finale for Sun Devil Swim & Dive, in which they recognized 13 seniors for Senior Day, the 123-point margin of victory by the Women is the largest over Arizona since at least 1998.
Lindsay Looney became fourth Women's swimmer of the Bob Bowman era to win at the Pac-12 Championships, where she won the 200 fly and 500 free. Weeks later, Looney became a First-Team All-American at the NCAA Championships by taking fourth in the 200 fly. She also placed 13th in the 500 free.
The Sun Devils reaped the benefits of having an entire year to train during their redshirt season, racing with revamped intensity for the entire 2021-22 season. They feasted at the mid-season NC State Invite, where they rewrote the school's record books. A total of 10 records were shattered, and Bowman's Sun Devils departed Greensboro with the kind of moxie that hinted something special was on the horizon. It parlayed into the Men's team's highest ranking in program history, when the CSCAA listed them at No. 6. In the final meet of the regular season, the Sun Devils ventured to in-state rival Arizona and split against the Wildcats; the No. 6 Men's team smacked No. 20 Arizona, 195-103, and it took the final swimming event of the afternoon to decide the Women team's 155-139 loss to the No. 23 Wildcats.
At the Pac-12 Championships, which marked the Sun Devils' first whiff of the postseason in two years, Erica Laning became the fourth Women's swimmer of the Bowman era to become a conference champion (500 free) as the Sun Devils placed sixth overall. The Men's team placed third at the conference championship for their highest finish in 27 years, led by victories from Marchand (200 breast, 200 IM, 400 IM) and House (200 free). The Women's team would go on to place 26th at the NCAA Championships weeks later, thanks to top-15 performances by Laning (200 free/15th, 500 free/13th), Nordin (500 free/13th) and Looney (200 fly/10th). The Men's team placed sixth at NCAAs for their best finish in 40 years, courtesy of a few record-breaking performances by Marchand, in which the freshman won the 200 IM and 200 breast. In his 200 IM victory, Marchand went 1:37.69 to set a new NCAA record. His efforts earned him the Pac-12 Men's Swimmer and Freshman of the Year. Bowman was also named SwimSwam's Coach of the Year.
Bowman and his staff opted to redshirt the entire roster for the 2020-21 season, promoting the health and safety of the student-athletes amid COVID-19. In lieu of any regular season competition, the Sun Devils meticulously trained with and amongst each other every day, laying the foundation for a fruitful 2021-22 campaign.
In 2019-20 Jack Dolan was named 2020 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and Zach Poti successfully defended his Pac-12 Championship in the 100 backstroke as the team finished fourth. Poti also placed second in the 200 back to cap off a dominant senior season. He took home ten first place finishes throughout the regular season en route to his All-America selection and he was joined by ten others. Dolan scored the most points by a freshman at the Pac-12 Championship and third-most points overall. The women finished fifth at the Pac-12 Championships highlighted by Emma Nordin's dominance in distance freestyle. Nordin garnered her first Pac-12 Championship in the 500 freestyle event, putting up what would be the fastest time in the nation in that event with the conclusion of the season. Freshman Lindsay Looney also excelled , smashing the 11-year school record in the 200 fly by an entire second.
--Swim/Dive Dominates Arizona to Biggest Win Since At Least 1998 (www.theSunDevils.com/Feb. 8, 2020)
--Sun Devils win big on Senior Day vs. Arizona (Cronkite News, Feb. 9, 2020)
--School records fall in dominant sweep of Arizona (House of Sparky, Feb. 8, 2020)
Pac-12 Men's Champions Under Coach Bowman
Léon Marchand, 200 breast, 400 IM, 200 IM, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay 800 free relay (2023), 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 breast, 800 free relay (2022)
Grant House, 200 free, 800 free relay, 400 medley relay (2023), 200 free, 800 free relay (2022)
Jack Dolan, 50 free, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay (2023)
Zalan Sarkany, 1650 free (2023)
Julian Hill, 800 free relay (2022 and 2023)
Max McCusker, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay (2023)
Jonny Kulow, 200 medley relay (2023)
Patrick Sammon, 800 free relay (2023)
Carter Swift, 800 free relay (2022)
Zach Poti, 100 back (2020)
Youssef Selim, Platform, 1-Meter Dive (2019 and 2018)
Cameron Craig, 200 Free (2018), 100 Free, 200 Free, 400 Free Relay (2017),
Andrew Porter, 400 Free Relay (2017)
Tadas Duskinas, 400 Free Relay (2017)
Richard Bohus, 400 Free Relay (2017)
Pac-12 Women's Champions Under Coach Bob Bowman
Lindsay Looney, 500 free and 200 fly (2023)
Erica Laning, 500 free (2022)
Emma Nordin, 500 free (2020)
Silja Kansakoski, 100 Breast (2019), 100 Yard Breaststroke (2017)
Mara Aiacoboae, Platform Diving (2018 and 2017)
SUN DEVIL WOMEN'S SWIMMING POSTSEASON FINISHES (PAC-12/NCAA)
2023: 5th/27th
2022: 6th/26th
2021: DNC (entire program redshirted due to COVID-19)
2020: 5th/No NCAA due to COVID-19
2019: 4th/20th
2018: 3rd/23rd
2017: 6th/29th
2016: 8th/31st
SUN DEVIL MEN'S SWIMMING POSTSEASON FINISHES (PAC-12/NCAA)
2023: 1st/2nd
2022: 3rd/6th
2021: DNC (entire program redshirted due to COVID-19)
2020: 4th/no NCAA due to COVID-19
2019: 4th/21st
2018: 4th/20th
2017: 4th/14th
2016: 5th/44th(T)
And that's officially a wrap on the 2017-18 season ??
— Sun Devil Swim/Dive (@ASUSwimDive) March 25, 2018
Thank you to all of our fans who came out to support us! #SunDevilMomentum pic.twitter.com/DUqFxzCObD
In 2018-19 the women achieved a top-20 finish at the NCAA National Championships, three places higher than their 2018 finish. ASU also garnered almost twice the amount of points as 2018. Transfer Cierra Runge led the charge for the women, cementing herself in Arizona State history the second she was eligible in January. Runge finished the season with four school records, five of the top-10 times in ASU history in the 500 freestyle and all four of the top times in the 200 freestyle, a feat she achieved in just six meets. Silja Kansakoski reclaimed her crown at the Pac-12 Championships, taking the top mark in the 100 breast for the second time in three years. At NCAAs, the women had 13 All-America honors across seven women, including Runge's two First-Team selections in the 500 and 1650 freestyles. Zach Poti (100 back) both earned Youssef Selim (diving)
titles, while seven Sun Devil men eanred All-America honors.
The 2017-18 season was filled with great moments as the women finished No. 22 and put together a six-place improvement at NCAA's, finishing 23rd. ASU improved their number of All-Americans at NCAA's from three to four honors as Frida Kaellgren (1-meter dive), Silja Kansakoski (100 breast, 200 breast/HM) and Mara Aiacoboae (Platform dive/HM) were named AA's, including the second consecutive honors for Kansakoski and Aiacoboae. Chloe Isleta set and re-set a new school record two different times in the 200 IM, last at the Pac-12 championships, re-setting her own school record. The women captured a Territorial Cup point at Pac-12 championships as Aiacoboae won her second consecutive title on platform and on Senior Day, the women earned their first win over the Wildcats since 1993. Earlier in the season, they also earned an upset over then-No. 23 Florida State. The men capped the year in the top-10 in the nation and with 15 Honorable Mention All-America honors. Youssef Selim won the Pac-12 1-meter diving championship and Cameron Craig defended his 200 free title. The ASU men captured the Territorial Cup point as well as earning a decisive victory over Arizona during the regular season. The Sun Devil men upset the reigning national champions No. 2 Texas and Christian Lorenz set the then-top time in the nation in the 200 breast. Lorenz capped his Sun Devil career with six of the top-10 times in school history in both the 100 and 200 breast, including the top times in each.
The men finished No. 15 and were named the nation's most improved team at midseason in 2016-17, Coach Bowman's second season. ASU finished fourth at the Pac-12's, its highest finish since 2008 and also finished ahead of Arizona at Pac-12's for the first time since 2003. Cameron Craig was named Pac-12 Swimmer of the Meet and became the fourth ASU men's swimmer to win multiple titles in the same year (100 free/200 free). The squad finished 14th at the NCAA Championships, a jump of 32 spots from the previous year. ASU had its first swim All-Americans since 2008, with eight earning the honors, the most since 2003. Eight All-Americans tied for 11th in the nation. The women were named the nation's second most improved team, earning two Pac-12 champions and two Honorable Mention All-Americans. Freshman Silja Kansakoski became the first conference champion for Arizona State in women's swim since Rebecca Ejdervik in the same event three consecutive years (2010-12), winning the 100 breast. Mara Aiacoboae became the first ASU women's diver since Elina Eggers in 2010 to win the platform event at the conference meet and only the fifth Sun Devil all time to win a Pac-12/10 championship in the event. At the NCAA's, Kansakoski earned Honorable Mention All-American honors in both the 100 and 200 breast while Aiacoboae received the same recognition for the platform dive. ASU ranked in the top-30 at NCAA's and tripled their number of NCAA qualifiers from a season ago.
His initial season (2015-16) saw the men's team make history with six individuals qualifying for the NCAA Championships after just four qualified total in the previous eight. Sophomore Mara Aiacoboae placed third in the 10-meter platform event at NCAA Championships, while all four men's relay teams finished in the top-20 at NCAAs. The men broke three school records at the NCAA Championships, including the 800-yard freestyle relay, the 100-yard backstroke by Richard Bohus and the 400-yard medley relay. The men defeated then-No. 17 Arizona for the first time since 2002, capping off a season when Coach Bowman was inducted into the International Swimming HOF in November.
“[The hiring of Bob Bowman] marks a seminal moment in the Sun Devil Swimming program,” Ray Anderson said at the time of the hire. “Bob is an icon in this sport and one of the most respected coaches in the industry. Under Bob’s guidance we will compete for individual, conference and national titles, produce All-Americans and Olympians, and create the most expansive developmental swim program in all of collegiate sports. His experience at every level of competition will allow him to grow our swimming program into an elite team and an invaluable community asset.”
Bowman is the longtime coach of the most decorated Olympian of all time Michael Phelps and was named the head men's coach for Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. He also served as the assistant coach in the previous three Summer Olympics, including 2004 in Athens, 2008 in Beijing, and 2012 in London. He was the U.S. men’s head coach at the 2007, 2009 and 2013 FINA World Championships and was an assistant at the 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2011 World Championships. Bowman’s swimmers have set 43 world records and more than 50 American records under his guidance.
"I am very honored and excited to lead the Sun Devil Swimming program," said Bowman. "The leadership and vision of excellence established under Ray Anderson is impressive, and is matched by the enthusiasm and support of the entire Athletic Department. I look forward to returning to coach at the collegiate level and be part of the great community that Arizona State University has to offer. I am motivated by the opportunity to help develop student-athletes as individuals and I am confident that we can build a swimming program that will be a source of pride for all ASU students, faculty and alumni."
Bowman is heavily involved in a number of community-driven swim initiatives, including his work with the Michael Phelps Foundation and its signature program – im – that provides underserved children with water safety, recreational aquatic activities, and goal setting programming. The Michael Phelps Foundation, for which Bowman serves as a board member, currently implements the “im” program in 35 Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 29 states as well as 160 teams through the Special Olympics in 34 countries.
A 2010 inductee into the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Hall of Fame, Bowman is a five-time ASCA Coach of the Year and is the most-honored coach in the 40-plus years of the award. He has earned USA Swimming Coach of the Year honors six times, the USA Swimming Foundation’s Golden Goggle Award four times, and was the 2002 USA Swimming Developmental Coach of the Year.
Bowman most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer and Head Coach for the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, where he oversaw a number of high-performance swimmers and Olympic medalists. In addition to Phelps, Bowman guided Allison Schmitt to five medals, including three gold, at the 2012 Olympics, and coached 13-time international medalist Conor Dwyer.
The Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008, Bowman was the head coach for the men’s swimming and diving program at the University of Michigan from 2005-08. He led the Wolverines to a top-eight finish nationally in all four years at UM, including sixth in 2005 and 2008, and guided them to the 2008 Big Ten Conference title. He coached three swimmers to six NCAA individual titles and put together a 30-8-1 record in dual meets, including a 21-1-1 mark against conference opponents.
NCAA CHAMPIONS UNDER BOB BOWMAN
200-Yard Butterfly
2005: Davis Tarwater, Michigan (1:42.30)
2006: Davis Tarwater, Michigan (1:41.84)
200-Yard Breaststroke:
2022: Léon Marchand (1:48.20)
2023: Léon Marchand (1:46.91)
200-Yard Individual Medley
2022: Léon Marchand (1:37.69)
2023: Léon Marchand (1:36.34)
400-Yard Individual Medley
2007: Alex Vanderkaay, Michigan (3:40.89)
2008: Alex Vanderkaay, Michigan (3:41.58)
2023: Léon Marchand (3:28.82)
500-Yard Freestyle
2005: Peter Vanderkaay, Michigan (4:09.82)
2006: Peter Vanderkaay, Michigan (4:08.60*)
(*-notes was American and NCAA record)
A native of Columbia, S.C., Bowman graduated from Florida State with a Bachelor of Science degree in developmental psychology and a minor in music composition in 1987. He swam for the Seminoles from 1983-85 and was a team captain in his final season.
SUN DEVIL MEN'S ALL-AMERICANS UNDER BOB BOWMAN
2023: Alex Colson (200 Fly), Jack Dolan (100 Back, 100 Free (2nd Team), 200 Free Relay, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Free Relay, 400 Medley Relay, 50 Free), Andrew Gray (200 Fly, 200 Free, 500 Free), Julian Hill (200 Free, 800 Free Relay), Grant House (100 Free, 200 Free, 200 Free Relay, 200 IM, 400 Free Relay, 800 Free Relay), Hubert Kos (200 Back, 200 IM, 400 IM), Jonny Kulow (100 Free, 200 Free Relay, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Free Relay, 400 Medley Relay), Léon Marchand (200 Breast, 200 IM, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Free Relay, 400 IM, 400 Medley Relay, 800 Free Relay), Daniel Matheson (1650 Free), Max McCusker (200 Free Relay, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Medley Relay), Owen McDonald (100 Back, 200 Back), Patrick Sammon (200 Free, 800 Free Relay), Zalan Sarkany (1650 Free), David Schlicht (200 Breast, 200 IM, 400 IM)
2022: Cody Bybee (200 free relay, 200 medley relay, 400 free relay, 400 medley relay), Alex Colson (200 fly), Jack Dolan (200 free relay, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay, 50 free), John Heaphy (200 medley relay, 400 medley relay), Julian Hill (800 free relay, 500 free), Grant House (200 free, 400 free relay, 800 free relay, 200 free relay, 200 medley relay, 100 free, 200 IM), Léon Marchand (200 breast, 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 400 medley relay, 800 free relay), Patrick Sammon (800 free relay), Carter Swift (400 free relay)
2020: Liam Bresette (500 Free, 800 Free Relay), Cody Bybee (100 Fly, 200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay, 800 Free Relay, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Medley Relay), Evan Carlson (100 Free, 200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay, 400 Medley Relay), Jack Dolan (100 Free, 200 Free, 200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay, 800 Free Relay, 200 Medley Relay), Jack Edgemond (200 Fly), Julian Hill (200 Free, 500 Free), Ben Olszewski (500 Free, 1650 Free), Zach Poti (100 Back, 200 Back, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Medley Relay), Youssef Selim (1-Meter Diving, 3-Meter Diving, Platform Diving), Carter Swift (100 Free, 200 Free, 200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay, 800 Free Relay), Elijah Warren (200 Medley Relay, 400 Medley Relay)
2019: Grant House (200 free/HM, 400 free relay, 800 free relay/HM), Zach Poti (100 back/HM, 200 back, 400 free relay), Carter Swift (400 free relay, 800 free relay/HM), Evan Carlson (400 free relay, 800 free relay/HM), Youssef Selim (three-meter/HM, platform/HM), Liam Bresette (800 free relay/HM), David Hoffer (three-meter/HM)
2018: Reid Elliott (200 Medley Relay/HM), Christian Lorenz (200 Medley Relay/HM, 400 Medley Relay/HM), Andrew Porter (200 Medley Relay/HM, 400 Medley Relay/HM), Patrick Park (200 Medley Relay/HM), Zach Poti (100 Back/HM, 400 Medley Relay/HM), Cameron Craig (200 Free/HM, 400 Medley Relay/HM, 800 Free Relay/HM), Grant House (200 Free/HM, 800 Free Relay/HM), Evan Carlson (800 Free Relay/HM), Dylan Boyd (800 Free Relay/HM)
2017: Richard Bohus (200 Free Relay/HM, 400 Free Relay/First, 200 Medley Relay/HM, 400 Medley Relay/HM, 100 Back/HM, 200 Back/HM), Cameron Craig (200 Free/First, 200 Free Relay/HM, 400 Free Relay/First, 800 Free Relay/HM, 400 Medley Relay/HM), Patrick Park (200 Free Relay/HM, 800 Free Relay/HM, 200 Medley Relay/HM), Thomaz Martins (800 Free Relay/HM), Barkley Perry (800 Free Relay/HM), Andrew Porter (200 Free Relay/HM, 400 Free Relay/First, 200 Medley Relay/HM, 100 Fly/HM), Christian Lorenz (200 Medley Relay/HM, 400 Medley Relay/HM), Tadas Duskinas (400 Free Relay/First, 400 Medley Relay/HM)
SUN DEVIL WOMEN'S ALL-AMERICANS UNDER BOB BOWMAN
2023: Lindsay Looney (200 fly, 500 free)
2022: Erica Laning (500 free, 200 free, 800 free relay), Lindsay Looney (200 fly, 800 free relay), Erin Milligan (800 free relay), Emma Nordin (500 free, 1650 free, 800 free relay)
2020: Camryn Curry (50 Free), Kendall Dawson (500 Free), Jade Foelske (200 Fly), Silja Kansakoski (100 Breast)
Erica Laning (200 Free, 500 Free, 800 Free Relay), Lindsay Looney (200 Fly, 800 Free Relay), Emma Nordin (200 Free, 500 Free, 1650 Free, 800 Free Relay), Cierra Runge (200 Free, 500 Free, 1650 Free, 800 Free Relay)
2019: Cierra Runge (500 Free, 1650 Free, 200 Free/HM, 800 Free Relay/HM, 200 Free Relay/HM), Silja Kansakoski (100 Breast/HM), Emma Nordin (1650 Free/HM, 800 Free Relay/HM, 200 Free Relay/HM), Kendall Dawson (800 Free Relay/HM), Erica Laning (800 Free Relay/HM), Camryn Curry (200 Free Relay/HM), Fanny Teijonsalo (200 Free Relay/HM)
2018: Frida Kaellgren (1 Meter Dive), Silja Kansakoski (100 Breast, 200 Breast/HM), Mara Aiacoboae (Platform/HM)
2017: Silja Kansakoski (100 Breast/HM, 200 Breast/HM), Mara Aiacoboae (Platform Dive/HM)