Nov. 29, 2000
This Week --
After almost three weeks off from competition, the men's and women's swimming teams (no diving) get back into action at one of the biggest meets of the season at the Texas Invitational, Dec. 1-3. The University of Texas -- which boasts a No. 1 men's team and 10th-ranked women's team -- will host the event at the Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin. Friday and Saturday, preliminaries will begin at 10 a.m. CST with finals at 6 p.m. CST. Sunday, preliminaries are at 9:30 a.m. CST with finals at 3:00 p.m. CST.
The Field --
Although the CSCAA (College Swimming Coaches Association of America) polls will be updated on the eve of the meet, Thursday, Nov. 30, current rankings illustrate the tremendous talent of the field at the Texas Invitational. The 11th-ranked men of ASU (2-1) will face off against swimmers from No. 1 Texas, No. 4 Arizona, No. 5 California, No. 9 Michigan, No. 15 SMU, No. 20 Wisconsin, No. 23 Harvard, No. 25 Nebraska and unranked Kansas and TCU. The 16th-ranked Sun Devil women (1-2) will encounter No. 1 UCLA, No. 3 Arizona, No. 4 Stanford, No. 5 California, No. 10 Texas, No. 11 Michigan, No. 12 Wisconsin, No. 14 SMU, No. 18 Minnesota, No. 22 Nebraska, plus unranked Rice and TCU.
Three Weeks Ago (Last Time...) --
Nov 10...Then 13th ranked, the ASU men fell to then No. 6 USC, 140-103. Senior Scott VonSchoff was the undisputed leader of the Sun Devils, lending his talents to ASU's only three wins taking solo victories in the 100 (45.13) and 200 (1:39.20) freestyle while closing the deal for the 400 free relay team (3:01.77)
Meanwhile, the then 19th-ranked ASU women lost for the first time to then 11th-ranked UCLA, 179-118. Junior Sarah Baham was the only Sun Devil to win an individual event, hitting the wall first in the 200 fly (2:03.21).
Nov. 11...The Sun Devil men resumed their winning ways at UCSB by a 130-76 margin. VonSchoff again picked up a pair of individual victories, this time commanding the 50 (20.97) and 500 (4:37.90) free. Sophomore Anders Lyrbring doubled his pleasure as well, winning the 100 (46.40) and 200 (1:40.42) free. ASU took first place points in all but two events.
Meanwhile, the Sun Devil women were one event away from upsetting then No. 5 USC for the first time in eight years. Taking first-place points in only four of 14 events, the Sun Devils' depth was apparent in their slim 153-147 loss. Junior Riley Mants had a standout meet, winning the 200 breast (2:16.71) and taking second in the 100 breast (1:04.13).
The Midas Touch --
So far, all that Scott VonSchoff touches turns to gold. Competing in two individual events and one relay at each of the three meets this season, VonSchoff has yet to experience defeat. Individually, the freestyle specialist has won once at 50 yards (20.97 vs. UCSB), twice at 100 yards (45.26 vs. UNLV, 45.13 vs. USC), twice at 200 yards (1:38.53 vs. UNLV, 1:39.20 vs. USC) and once at 500 yards (4:37.90 vs. UCSB). He's also anchored one victorious 200 (vs. UNLV) and two victorious 400 free relay teams (vs. USC, UCSB).