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Dec. 18, 2001
This Week
Making their first appearances since the Texas Invitational (Nov. 30-Dec. 2), Arizona State's men's and women's swimming and diving teams return to action with dual meets against Pac-10 opponent Washington, Saturday, Dec. 29, at noon. In regulation dual meets, the Sun Devil men are 3-0 and the women are 4-0. That's the best combined start for the Sun Devil swimming and diving teams since the 1993-94 season, when the men won their first four meets and the women won three straight to start the season. Although the Washington Huskies have competed in a handful of multiple-team meets, this will be the first official dual meet of the season for the UW men, and the second for the women, who fell in their matchup with Washington State.
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 Dec. 13 rankings, the ASU men are up to No. 5 in the nation, with the women tied with Florida at No. 8. A complete list of those current rankings appears on Page 2 of this release. The next poll will be released January 17. For more information, access www.cscaa.org.
ASU vs. Washington
The Sun Devils and Huskies meet in dual action for the third time in as many years. Over the past two seasons, the ASU men and women have gone undefeated against Washington.
ASU vs. Washington -- Last Time
In their final meet of the year 2000, ASU's men took first-place points in nine of 14 events to defeat Washington 144-118 at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center, Dec. 16. Among the highlights, ASU senior Otto Hinks (55.16) just beat UW senior Francis Tam (55.61) to the wall in the 100y breast. In the women's meet, the Sun Devils topped Washington (177-68) and Northwestern (139-109), getting a strong performance out of senior Lauren Morelli, who won the 100y (57.58) and 200y (2:02.40) back events.
ASU, Last Time In The Pool
Against some of the nation's best teams, the Sun Devil swimming and diving squads had impressive showings at the Texas Invitational, placing second (men) and fourth (women). Led by ?gnes Kov?cs, the ASU women accumulated seven school records over the three day meet, with Kov?cs playing a part in four of the records (200y breast, 400y IM, 200y medley relay and 400y medley relay). Thanks in large part to their performances at the Texas Invite, the Sun Devil women now have 19 NCAA consideration times and eight NCAA automatic qualifying marks. The Sun Devil men were powered by their sprint freestylers and backstrokers. Sophomore Nick Brunelli won the 100y free (43.73), placed second in the 50y free (19.93), and was among four Sun Devils that qualified for the championship final heat of the 200y free. In the backstroke events, sophomore Ahmed Hussein and junior Christian Harcsas proved to be a potent one-two punch, placing second and fifth in the 100y back and eighth and fourth in the 200y variety (Bo West was seventh in the 200y back).
Up Next For The Sun Devils
The Sun Devils are back in action next weekend, starting with the University of British Columbia (Pacific Dolphins), Friday, Jan. 4, at noon. Saturday, Jan. 5, the Sun Devil women will compete amongst a handful of schools doing their winter training in Tempe in the Sun Devil Invitational at 9:00 a.m. The ASU men will follow with a dual meet vs. Michigan at noon.
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).
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 4:19.24 (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).
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) --
In one of her two wins on the 3-meter springboard this season, Burgess approached her ASU record mark of 341.40, with a 339.10. She has one win from the 1-meter spring board (259.58 vs. Hawaii), although her season best came vs. Wisconsin 275.30.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.