Feb. 24, 2009
The Arizona State women's swimming team and men and women's diving teams will travel to the Pacific Northwest to compete in the 2009 Pacific-10 Conference Championships. Held at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash., the meet begins on Wednesday February 25 and will conclude on Saturday.
Last Year at the Pac-10 Championships:
Micky Benedetti highlighted the 2008 Pac-10 Championships, as he became the first Sun Devil to sweep the diving events. Benedetti reclaimed his 3-meter and platform titles from the previous season and took first on the 1-meter.
In women's swimming, Caitlin Andrew broke four ASU records at the championships to lead the Sun Devils to a fifth place finish. Jen Beckberger earned an automatic qualifying time in the 100 free and the 400 free relay team of Andrew, Beckberger, Lindsey Brown and Jess Perazzo clocked in an NCAA A time in the 400 free relay. Andrew, Beckberger, Ashton Aubry and Lindsey Russenberger qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 400 medley relay.
Record Holder
Micky Benedetti added another accomplishment to his impressive resume. The senior from Rome broke ASU great Joona Puhakka ASU record in the 3-meter at the Dallas Morning News. The new standard is now set at 455.40. On top of that, Benedetti's score also stands as the Joe Perkins Natatorium record. His score crushed the previous 19-year mark, which was set by none other than ASU head diving coach Mark Bradshaw.
B-Cuts:
Five Sun Devil women and two relay teams have earned NCAA consideration times this season. 2008 NCAA qualifier Aubry has earned "B" cuts in the 100 and 200 fly. Senior All-American Beckberger clocked in consideration times in the 50, 100 and 200 free. Junior Martinez finished under the consideration mark in the 200 back. Two freshmen, Green and Sasha Stephens, have also earned NCAA "B" cuts. Green's are in the two breaststroke events while Stephens earned hers in the backstroke swims. The 200 and 400 medley team of Stephens, Sara McDaniel, Aubry and Jen Beckberger have also clocked in NCAA consideration times.
Top of the Pac:
For his outstanding performance in January, Benedetti was honored with his sixth Pac-10 Diver of the Month recognition. His total of six set a new record for the monthly award.
Top 10
On the women's side, Jen Beckberger improved to third all-time in the 100 free with a time of 49.11. Sasha Stephens carved her name at third in the 100 back with a time of 54.70. The freshman also tied for third in the 200 back at 1:58.22. Jamie Martinez is now second all-time in the 200 back with a time of 1:57.63. The San Jose, Calif., native is now ninth in the 400 IM too with a time of 4:19.98 and put herself at fourth all-time in the 100 back after clocking in a leadoff time of 54.78 in the 400 medley relay. Freshman Jordyn Green burst into the Sun Devil top 10 list in both the 100 and 200 breast. The Reno, Nev., native clocked in times of 1:01.83 and 2:12.48 to put herself at third and fourth in the 100 and 200 breast respectively. Ashton Aubry improved to second all-time in both the 100 and 200 fly. The junior from Leawood, Kan., earned times of 52.51 and 1:57.14 respectively. Penelope Yamauchi entered her name at ninth in the 200 IM with a time of 2:02.93.
Not Now Chief, They're In the Zone!
Benedetti, Cameron Bradshaw, Erin Hobbs and Brittany Jumer have all qualified for the NCAA Zone "E" Meet. All four earned their spot in the meet against Washington. In Dallas, Cameron Bradshaw set a new personal best in the three-meter. His new career-best is 342.53. Bradshaw placed third in the event.
Madame Butterfly
Aubry picked up right where she left off last season. The 2008 NCAA qualifier is inching closer and closer to the 100 and 200 fly records. Aubry, who is currently second all-time in both events, is less than a second off Caitlin Andrew's 100 fly record and is about 30 tenths away from the 200 fly record.
Trio of Youngsters
Green, Sasha Stephens and Yamauchi have given the Sun Devils a burst of new energy. Green, who had qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, is now in the top five on ASU's all-time lists in both breaststroke events. Stephens is already second all-time in the 100 back and is third in the 200 back. Yamauchi, who is one of the team's most versatile swimmers, is now ninth in the 200 IM.
Ms. Versatile
Martinez, a junior from San Jose, Calif., is the women's team top all-around swimmer. Martinez has her name in five all-time lists: 100 and 200 back, 100 and 200 fly and 400 IM. The utility swimmer is about one second off the 200 back record.
Up Next:
The men's swimming team will compete at the Pac-10 Championships. held in Long Beach March 4-7.