Feb. 7, 2000
February 12, 2000
1:00 p.m.
Mona Plummer Aquatic Center
Tempe, Ariz.
In-State Rivalry Renewed on Saturday in Tempe
The Arizona State men's and women's swimming and diving teams conclude their regular seasons on Saturday, Feb. 12 when they host Pac-10 foe Arizona beginning at 1:00 p.m. The meet will be contested in short-course meters. The 11th-ranked Sun Devil men have won four consecutive dual meets against #2 Arizona, including a 150-143 thriller in Tucson on Feb. 13, 1999. On the women's side UA, ranked second in the current College Swimming Coaches Association Poll, extended their winning streak over #18 ASU to five with its 181-108 victory last year.
Olympians Showcased at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center
When the Sun Devils and Wildcats renew aquaintances in the pool on Saturday, eight swimmers who competed at the 1996 Olympic Games, including five medalists, will be in competition. For ASU, Olympic record holder Attila Czene (200 individual medley) and silver medalist Anders Lyrbring (800 free relay) will be joined by senior Carolyn Adel and sophomore Riley Mants. Arizona features gold medalists Amanda Beard, Beth Botsford and Trina Jackson along with men's senior Ryk Neethling. In addition, Czene and UA's Ben Anderson - the top two 200 IM artists in the nation - will square off in a possible NCAA Championship preview.
Scouting the Wildcats
The Arizona men enter Saturday's dual meet with a 5-2 overall record following a 206-147 home loss to Texas on Jan. 28-29. The Wildcats return 12 All-Americans from 1999's squad which finished fifth at the NCAA's including Neethling, the reigning Division I Swimmer of the Year. Four-time NCAA champion Denali Knapp leads the UA women (8-2), who defeated Texas 247-106 last time out. Knapp is one of 11 returning All-Americans from last year's fourth place NCAA squad.
ASU Returns Home After Tour of Grand Canyon State
The Arizona State women will return to action for the first time since Sunday, Jan. 30, when they defeated Northern Arizona 139-99 in Flagstaff. Earlier that weekend, both ASU squads were in Tucson competing against Texas. The Sun Devil women (4-4) pulled to within eight points of #12 UT after the second of three sessions, but ultimately fell 190.5-162.5. ASU sophomore Sarah Baham continued her dominance in the butterfly events, winning both the 100 (55.63) and 200 (2:01.39) yard events. Meanwhile Adel and Mants posted sweeps in the IM and breaststroke events, respectively. In men's action, top-ranked Texas recorded a 206-147 win over the Devils (2-6). Czene led the Arizona State offensive by winning three events in NCAA consideration time, including the 200 IM (1:48.25), 200 fly (1:47.90) and 200 free (1:38.61). The Sun Devil divers had a highly productive weekend, recording a collective 13 NCAA Zone qualifying scores.
Several Devils NCAA-Bound
Four Arizona State swimmers have already assured themselves of a spot at the 2000 NCAA Championships by virtue of automatic qualifying performances this season. Sarah Baham has posted sub-NCAA times in both the 100 and 200 butterfly, including her school record 1:58.70 mark at Cal on Jan. 13. Riley Mants and Carolyn Adel will take their shot at national titles in the 200 breast and 400 IM, respectively, by virtue of their showings at the Texas Invitational. At the same meet Anders Lyrbring qualified in 200 freestyle competition. In addition, 10 ASU men and four relay teams have notched a combined 25 NCAA consideration times, while on the women's side five individuals and three relay squads have recorded 13 times which will receive NCAA consideration.