Sept. 28, 2005
TEMPE, Ariz. (www.thesundevils.com) -- The Arizona State Swimming and Diving program opens the 2005-06 season this weekend with the annual alumni meet Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at Mona Plummer Aquatic Complex.
The 2005-06 varsity team will compete against several former Sun Devils in nine events (200 medley relay, 200 free, 50 free, 100 IM, 50 fly, 100 free, 50 back, 50 breast, 200 free relay).
Several former All-Americans and school record holders are scheduled to appear, including Cam Reid, Florencia Szigeti, Simon Percy, Gavin Meadows, Nick Brunelli, Scott VonSchoff, Russell MacDonald, Otto Hinks, Emerson Ward, Melissa Belote-Ripley, Lisa Rhodes and former head coach Ron Johnson.
Led by eighth year head coach Mike Chasson, the 2005-06 Sun Devils are led by sophomore Caitlin Andrew (San Antonio, Texas) on the women's side and senior David Kolozar (Budapest, Hungary) on the men's side. Several newcomers on both the men's and women's squads will also debut in the Maroon and Gold.
Mark Bradshaw's diving squad, led by four-time NCAA springboard champion Joona Puhakka (Helsinki, Finland), will not compete in the alumni meet, but will be practicing during the morning for fans to watch.
Following an intersquad meet (Oct. 7) and the annual pentathlon (Oct. 8), the Sun Devils officially open the season Oct. 21 at the University of Hawai'i.
Top Alumni Returning Saturday: Cam Reid - All-American (1981, 82, 83), holds oldest school record in 400 IM (3:49.67 in 1983) Florencia Szigeti - 2000, 2004 Olympics with Argentina, 2004 Pac-10 champ (200 free) Simon Percy - All-American in 1993, 1994 -- 1992 Olympics with New Zealand Gavin Meadows - 2004 Olympics with England Nick Brunelli - Pac-10 200 free champion (2004), Pac-10 medalist, All-American (2001-04), bronze medal in Pan Am Games Scott VonSchoff - No. 8 in 100 free, four-year All-American Russell MacDonald - top five in 100 breast all-time Otto Hinks - No. 2 in 100 breast (54.46) Emerson Ward - No. 1 in 100 breast (54.39) Melissa Belote-Ripley - five-time AIAW champion, four-year All-American, Olympics (1972/1976), ASU Hall of Fame Coach Ron Johnson (1976-93) - 114-50 record with the men Lisa Rhodes - All-American (1992-94)