Nov. 22, 2002
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The ninth-ranked Arizona State men's swimming and diving team recorded some fine results, but the sixth-ranked USC Trojans outperformed the Sun Devils for a 139-104 victory on Friday afternoon at the USC McDonald's Swim Stadium in Los Angeles. The day was not without some highlights for the Sun Devils and freshman diver Joona Puhakka continued his impressive start to his ASU career by sweeping both the 1-meter (334.90) and 3-meter (372.85) diving events.
ASU sophomore diver Thomas McCrummen earned a second-place finish in the 1-meter (313.50), recording his best score in that event this year. That score is good enough for NCAA consideration. Puhakka and McCrummen have now earned scores good enough for NCAA consideration in both the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events this season.
On the swimming side, the freestyle sprinters had a successful afternoon, led by junior All-American Nick Brunelli. Brunelli finished first in the 100 free (45.08) and also earned his first NCAA "B" consideration of the year in the 200 free (1:38.49), where he finished second.
The Sun Devils welcomed the return of Bobby Zaabadich, who touched the wall first in the 50 free (20.55) in his first regular season meet of the year.
Freshman David Kolozar recorded the first NCAA "B" time of his career en route to a second-place finish in the 200 fly (1:47.60). Kolozar finished behind the Trojans' All-American Jeff Lee, the runner-up in this event at last year's NCAA Championships.
In the backstroke, ASU senior All-American Christian Harcsas touched the wall first in the 200 for a season-best 1:47.69. Sun Devil freshman Leonardo Martins managed a second-place finish in the 200 breast (2:04.33), maintaining his strong start to the season at this distance.
In the relay events, the Devils took first in the 400 free (3:03.14) and second in the 400 medley (3:21.57). The ASU men's swimming team will participate in an unscored distance time trial tomorrow morning, November 23, against USC in Los Angeles. The next regular season competition for the men will be the weekend of December 6-8 at the Texas Invitational in Austin, Texas.