March 8, 2007
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -
As day one of the 2007 NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships concluded at the in , No. 23 Arizona State University showcased an impressive start during the first six events, highlighted by an ASU record-breaking performance in the 200 freestyle relay, while the team ended the day ranked 13th in the overall standings.
The relay consisting of junior Caitlin Andrew, sophomore Jen Beckberger, junior Lindsey Brown and senior Abra Armour completed the preliminary round of the event in 1:30.23. The school record finish also allowed the relay to return for Thursday evening's consolation finals round, during which the group finished 10th overall, touching in 1:30.30, earning the Sun Devils 14 points to start the day. The record-breaking time marks the second consecutive meet during which the Sun Devils rewrote the 200 freestyle record, as the relay consisting of Andrew, Beckberger, freshman Jess Perazzo and Armour swam the event in 1:30.84 at the Pac-10 Conference Championships in February. Prior to ASU's historic performance at the Pac-10 Championships, the 200 freestyle relay record stood at 1:31.74, set in 2005.
"Breaking the 200 freestyle relay school record was a very big deal," said Michael Chasson, ASU head swimming coach. "Doing so enabled us to score some early points and get off to a very good start."
Also returning for Thursday's consolation finals round was ASU's 400 medley relay, which consists of senior Carissa Abe, freshman Sara McDaniel, Andrew and Beckberger. The group finished the preliminary round in 3:40.10, the third-fastest time in the event in Sun Devil history and the team's fastest time of the season. The squad later returned to clock a consolation finals round finish of 3:41.09, placing ASU 15th in the event and adding to the Sun Devils' scoring total.
"Our relays did a great job today," Chasson said. "We swam our best 400 medley relay of the season, improving upon the previous best by two seconds, which helped us have a strong day overall."
Caitlin Andrew added an individual event scoring effort for the Sun Devils, placing 13th in the 50 freestyle consolation finals round, finishing in 22.56. Andrew earned the opportunity to swim in the 50 freestyle consolation finals round after touching in 22.40 in a swim-off which placed her 16th overall in the preliminary round. In addition to a consolation finals round berth, Andrew came within .01 seconds of her ASU 50 freestyle record of 22.39, set at the Pac-10 Conference Championships in February. In the 50 freestyle preliminary round, Andrew and Stephanie Napier of the University of Florida both recorded times of 22.64, forcing the swim-off for the right to compete in the event's consolation finals round.
Also competing in the 50 freestyle preliminary round were Armour and Beckberger, where Beckberger finished 40th overall, touching in 23.04, while Armour placed 46th with a time of 23.11.
Day two of the 2007 NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships begins Friday morning, where the preliminary and final rounds of the 200 medley relay, 400 individual medley, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke and three-meter diving events will be held.
Competing for the Sun Devils Friday will be ASU's 200 medley relay consisting of McDaniel, Andrew, Beckberger and Abe, while Andrew will swim in both the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke, Beckberger will compete in the 200 freestyle and McDaniel in the 100 breaststroke.
"The 200 medley relay is one of our best events," Chasson said. "Hopefully we can gain some significant relay points, as well as from our individual swimmers."
Friday has the potential to be a very exciting day for the Sun Devils, as Andrew has finished second and fourth in the nation, respectively in the 100 butterfly at the past two NCAA Championships and is seeded fourth overall this year, looking to boost ASU's overall score with an impressive individual finish.
"Caitlin Andrew has done very well at the NCAA Championships in the 100 fly the last two years," Chasson said. "This year, she is seeded very highly and I believe that she has the ability to perform at a very high level and help our team in a big way."
Continued coverage of women's swimming and diving at the 2007 NCAA Championships in will be available on TheSunDevils.com