March 6, 2002
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ASU 2001-02 Top-Times UPDATED in PDF FormatDownload Free Acrobat Reader
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This Week
With the diving portion already complete, Arizona State's men's swimmers will head to Long Beach, Calif., to compete in their portion of the 2002 Pac-10 Championships from the Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool, March 7-9. The men's swimming and diving team went 6-3 in dual meets this season, 3-2 vs. Pac-10 opponents. ASU's losses were to national top-five teams, Stanford, California and Texas. Among its wins, ASU defeated USC for the first time since 1992.
The Polls
The College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) releases national rankings on a bi-weekly basis. After debuting at No. 13 in the polls (Nov. 1), the Sun Devil men climbed as high fifth, but have settled in at the No. 7 spot. A complete list of the current rankings appears on Page 2 of this release. A pre-NCAA Championships poll is set to be released March 7. For more information, access www.cscaa.org.
The Field
The field for the Pac-10 Championships is as follows (based on March 1 rankings): No. 1 Stanford, No. 4 California, No. 7 ASU, No. 8 USC, No. 9 Arizona and unranked Washington. Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State and UCLA do not sponsor men's swimming and diving teams.
Pac-10 Conference Championship Notes
Over the past six years, Arizona State's men's swimming and diving team has come away from the Pac-10 Championships with five fifth-place finishes -- including the last three straight -- and one fourth-place finish (1998). In that span, ASU's top NCAA Championships finish was ninth in 1996, with a low of 16th in 1999. Last year the Sun Devils placed 14th at the national meet.
This will be the 24th time the ASU men participate in the Pac-10 Championships. All-time, ASU has one second-place finish, four third-place finishes, seven fourth-place finishes, 10 fifth-place finishes and one sixth-place finish.
ASU, Last Time In The Pool
February 28-March 2: In the diving portion of the Pac-10 Championships from Hillenbrand Aquatic Center in Tucson, Ariz., ASU was represented by sophomore Gordon Blukis and freshman Thomas McCrummen. In the 3-meter springboard, McCrummen placed third with Blukis taking fifth, before the tandem went four-five, respectively, in the 1-meter. Blukis led the way on platform with a fourth-place effort.
February 16: By a 171.5-128.5 margin, ASU's men's swimming and diving team triumphed over Arizona for the sixth time in the last seven years. The Sun Devils proved their depth in the sprints, winning the 200y free relay (1:19.70) before taking the second, third and fourth spots in the 50y free behind UA's Roland Schoeman. Nick Brunelli placed second in 20.12, Bobby Zaabadich set a personal best to place third in 20.19 and Justin Mathias took fourth in 20.43. Making the final home appearance of his career, senior Gavin Meadows was a double-winner in the 500y free (4:30.06) and 1000y free (9:21.74). Sophomore Ahmed Hussein made it to the wall first in both backstroke events, with a 100y time of 49.38 and a 200y time of 1:45.97.
Stand-out Sun Devil Swimmers & Divers
Gordon Blukis (Sophomore) --
At the recently completed diving portion of the 2002 Pac-10 Championships, placed fifth in the 1-meter (300.40), fifth in the 3-meter (492.20) and fourth in the platform (463.30) ... picked up nine dual victories in the springboard events, including six in the 3-meter ... at Wisconsin, won the 1-meter optionals with a career-best 353.75 ... season-best in the 3-meter was a 334.35 vs. California, en route to his fifth of what would be six-straight first-place finishes in that event ... fourth-place platform score of 463.30 at the Pac-10 Championships was a season best.
Pac-10 Championship Notes * Placed third in the 3-meter, fifth in the platform and seventh in the 1-meter at the 2001 Championships.
NCAA History * None.
Top Collegiate Scores (ASU rank) * 1-meter, 6-dive optionals 353.75, 1-meter, 6-dive championship 321.75, 3-meter, 6-dive 339.00, 3-meter, 11-dive 534.80, platform 497.90.
Nick Brunelli (All-American -- Sophomore) --
Ranked fourth all-time at ASU in the 50 free and 100 free (tied), plus seventh in the 100 back ... picked up 12 first-place finishes on the season ... earned five wins in the 50 free and dipped below the NCAA 'B' standard (20.33) three times including a career-best 19.81 that placed him runner-up at the Texas Invitational ... earned six wins in the 100 free, swimming under the NCAA 'B' consideration standard (44.94) four times including his career-best 43.73 that was good enough for first place at the Texas Invitational ... in the 200 free, swam below the 'B' standard (1:39.28) twice at the Texas Invite, swimming a career-best 1:37.47 in finals to place fifth ... swept the 50 and 100 free vs. Texas, USC, Washington and Hawaii.
Pac-10 Championship Notes * Placed 12th in the 100 back, 16th in the 100 free and 19th in the 50 free at the 2001 Championships.
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.
Christian Harcsas (Junior) --
Ranked fourth all-time at ASU in the 200 back and fifth in the 100 back ... picked up six dual wins this season ... in the 100 back, won twice ... swam under the NCAA 'B' consideration standard (49.17) twice, including season-best 48.94 that placed him fifth at the Texas Invitational ... in the 200 back earned four wins and swam under the NCAA 'B' standard (1:47.42) five times ... swam career bests of 1:45.54 in both the prelims and finals of the Texas Invitational, where he placed fourth.
Pac-10 Championship Notes * None.
NCAA History * None.
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 100 back 48.94 (5th), 200 back 1:45.54 (4th).
Ahmed Hussein (Sophomore) --
Ranked second all-time at ASU in the 100 back and third in the 200 back ... earned nine first-place finishes this season ... in the 100 back, won four times ... raced under the NCAA 'B' standard (49.17) twice at the Texas Invitational, including his career-best 48.03 to finish runner-up ... in the 200 back won five times and dipped underneath the 'B' standard (1:47.42) five times ... career-best was a 1:45.07 during Texas Invite prelims before placing eighth in 1:48.44 ... swept the backstroke events vs. Arizona, Hawaii and Wisconsin ... other 2001-02 bests: 100 fly 50.87, 500 free 4:38.57.
Pac-10 Championship Notes * Placed 13th in the 100 back and 200 back at the 2001 Championships.
NCAA History * None.
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 100 back 48.03 (2nd), 200 back 1:45.07 (3rd), 100 fly 50.87, 200 IM 2:01.22.
Rich Jacobs (Sophomore) --
Ranked seventh all-time at ASU in the 400 IM ... earned seven first-place finishes this season ... in the 200 IM, swam a career-best 1:50.83 to take first vs. Arizona ... stands less than a second out of ASU's all-time top-10 in that event ... placed 15th at the Texas Invitational in 1:52.34 ... in the 400 IM, won three times with a career best of 3:54.29 that placed him fifth at the Texas Invitational ... earned two wins in the 200 fly with a season-best of 1:52.28 vs. Arizona ... other 2001-02 bests: 500 free 4:44.27, 1000 free 9:31.14, 100 breast 1:00.68, 200 breast 2:08.69.
Pac-10 Championship Notes * Placed 11th in the 400 IM, 12th in the 200 fly and 15th in the 400 IM at the 2001 Championships.
NCAA History * None.
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 200 IM 1:50.83, 400 IM 3:54.29 (7th), 100 fly 51.43, 200 fly 1:50.07, 100 breast 1:00.68, 200 breast 2:08.69
Anders Lyrbring (All-American -- Junior) --
Ranked fourth all-time at ASU in the 200 free ... earned two first-place finishes this season ... in the 200 free dipped below the NCAA 'B' standard (1:39.28) twice at the Texas Invitational ... season-best was a 1:37.10 that placed him third ... only 200 free win came vs. Arizona in 46.50 ... in the 100 free swam a season-best 45.13 in Texas Invite prelims before placing 12th in 45.26 ... other 2001-02 bests: 50 free 20.99, 500 free 4:34.78.
Pac-10 Championship Notes * Placed sixth in the 200 free and 14th in the 100 free at the 2001 Championships.
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) --
Ranked sixth all-time at ASU in the 50 free and eighth in the 100 breast ... earned a total of six wins in three different events this season ... in the 50 free swam under the NCAA 'B' standard (20.33) twice with season best of 20.25 in the prelims of the Texas Invitational before placing sixth in finals (20.30) ... in the 100 free raced under the 'B' standard (44.94) twice at the Texas Invite, with a season best 44.84 taking sixth ...picked up a win vs. Michigan ... in the 100 breast earned a career best and NCAA consideration time in Texas Invite prelims at 55.87 ... made biggest impact of the season in the 100 fly, in which he earned four first-place finishes and two times below the NCAA consideration standard (48.76) ... season-best 48.56 in Texas Invite prelims was two hundredths off his career best and six hundredths out of ASU's all-time top-10 list ... placed seventh in at the Texas Invite with a finals time of 48.56.
Pac-10 Championship Notes * Placed 15th in the 100 fly at the 2001 Championships.
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 (6th), 100 free 44.55, 100 fly 48.54, 100 breast 55.87 (8th).
Thomas McCrummen (Freshman) --
At the recently completed diving portion of the 2002 Pac-10 Championships, led ASU by placing third in the 3-meter (508.25) and fourth in the 1-meter (331.95) ... also placed seventh in the platform (416.85) behind teammate Gordon Blukis ... picked up one dual meet victory in the 1-meter optionals this season vs. Washington with season-best 349.65 ... season-best in 3-meter (333.23) came vs. Hawaii ... at the Texas Invitational placed sixth in the 3-meter with championship total of 482.55.
Pac-10 Championship Notes * None.
NCAA History * None.
Top Collegiate Scores (ASU rank) * 1-meter, 6-dive optionals 349.65, 1-meter, 6-dive championship 331.95, 3-meter, 6-dive 333.23, 3-meter, 11-dive 508.25, platform 416.85.
Gavin Meadows (All-American -- Senior) --
Ranked seventh all-time at ASU in the 200 and 500 free ... earned a combined 11 first-place finishes in four events ... in the 100 free swam a season-best 45.06 in the prelims of the Texas Invitational before placing 16th in finals (45.45) ... in the 200 free swam under the NCAA 'B' consideration standard (1:39.28) three times ... season-best was a 1:37.31 that placed him fourth at the Texas Invitational ... picked up five wins in the 500 free and swam under the NCAA 'B' standard (4:27.51) twice, both times at the Texas Invitational where he placed sixth in a season-best 4:24.08 ... in the 1000 free won each of his four races including a career best 9:21.28 vs. California ... swept the 500 and 1000 free vs. California, Arizona and Washington.
Pac-10 Championship Notes * Placed fourth in the 200 free, fifth in the 500 free and 17th in the 100 free at the 2001 Championships.
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), 1000 free 9:21.28.
Bo West (All-American -- Senior) --
Ranked seventh all-time at ASU in the 200 back ... picked up three first-place finishes this season ... in the 200 free, won twice and clocked two times below the NCAA 'B' standard (1:39.28) ... season best was a 1:37.98 in the prelims of the Texas Invitational, before placing seventh in 1:38.06 ... in the 200 back picked up a win vs. USC ... season-best time was a 1:47.69 in the prelims of the Texas Invite, before placing seventh in finals at 1:48.26 ... other 2001-02 bests: 50 free 21.00, 100 free 45.80, 500 free 4:37.86, 100 back 51.72.
Pac-10 Championship Notes * Placed 12th in the 200 free and 15th in the 100 free at the 2001 Championships.
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).
Bobby Zaabadich (Junior) --
Joined the team at the winter break after transferring from Northern Arizona over the summer ... swam into a three-way tie for ninth all-time at ASU in the 50 free with personal best 20.29 vs. Arizona, his only time below the NCAA 'B' consideration standard 20.33 ... picked up a win vs. Michigan in 20.48 ... established a personal best in the 100 free with 46.48 performance vs. Texas.
Pac-10 Championship Notes * None.
NCAA History * None.
Top Collegiate Times (ASU rank) * 50 free 20.29 (9th-t), 100 free 46.48.
ASU Men's Relays --
Established their top relay times of the season at the Texas Invitational, placing second in the 200 free relay (1:19.41), second in the 400 free relay (2:56.66), fourth in the 200 medley relay (1:28.90) and fifth in the 400 medley relay (3:16.18), all of which are under the NCAA 'B' consideration standards. ASU's top 800 free relay team was disqualified at the Texas Invite.
Pac-10 Championship Notes * At the 2001 Championships, ASU placed fifth in the 200 free relay, fourth in the 400 free relay, second in the 800 free relay, fifth in the 200 medley relay and fifth in the 400 medley relay.
NCAA Notes * At the 2001 Championships, ASU placed 11th in the 200 free relay, eighth in the 400 free relay and fourth in the 800 free relay.