ASU swimming alumni and current team members gathered at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center together Saturday for the annual meet.
The swimmers participated in a variety of different events including some non-traditional races such as 50-yard breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle races.
It was not an officially scored NCAA meet.
“It’s a fun thing,” said junior Max Laney. “This is my third alumni meet and its fun seeing the same faces.”
The meet featured alumni swimmers of all ages but a majority of the participants graduated within the past decade. Notable alumni included Mike Orn, the former NCAA champion in the 200-yard freestyle.
“It cool knowing you are swimming with the ones who started all the traditions,” Laney said.
The meet also helps keep the past and present.
“Its basically a chance for our alumni to get involved,” coach Michael Chasson said. “Alumni are critical to the success of the program and also for raising the necessary funds to keep the program going.”
In May, the University decided to cut funding to the men’s swimming team. However the program was quickly reinstated in July after many alumni and other organizations helped raise the necessary funds.
“There wouldn’t be a [men’s] program … without the alumni … so its great to get a chance to swim with the people that helped keep us here,” Laney said.
Reach the reporter at ryan.g.campbell@asu.edu.
