After failing to win a single dual meet the entire season, the ASU men’s swim team faces one more test in the Pac-12 championships in Long Beach, Calif., beginning Feb. 29.
Swim coach Dorsey Tierney-Walker understands that since the Pac-12 features the best teams in the nation, reaching a high overall team finish is not much of a priority for the Sun Devils.
“We are in, hands down, the best conference in the country,” Tierney-Walker said. “We’re competing with Cal, Stanford, Arizona and USC. As far as placing, that’s not our biggest focus.”
Despite going up against a field that features four of the nation’s top six teams, Tierney-Walker remains confident of her team’s progress as it prepares to compete for likely its last meet of the season.
“I like where our men’s team is at,” she said. “I think we have people that can contribute in every event.”
Tierney-Walker is expecting freshman Zac Dalby to finish high in the tournament. Dalby has consistently finished in the top two places in the 100 butterfly and the 200 IM over the course of the dual meet season.
“I think it’s time for Zac Dalby to have a breakout meet,” Tierney-Walker said.
The third-year coach also spoke highly of sophomores Hayden Thomas and Herbie Behm from their dual-meet season successes as well.
“Hayden has been very consistent all year, and I expect him to perform at a pretty high level this weekend,” she said. “Herbie has been another sprinter that’s been very consistent all season. We’ve given him some rest, so you’re going to see very great things out of him.”
Although the men’s team has not been as successful as its female counterpart throughout the season, Tierney-Walker’s approach toward her team’s success is identical to her attitude at the women’s championships last week.
“The bottom line with our men (is) it’s going to take a total team effort,” she said. “That’s probably our greatest attribute. Our biggest focus is personal-best times and trying to qualify people for the NCAA Championships. We’re excited, and I think our men are ready to go.”
Last season, the Sun Devils placed fifth at the Pac-10s. No. 3 Stanford enters the meet looking to defend its conference championship.
Cal Poly, UC Santa Barbara and Pac-12 newcomer Utah comprises the rest of the field at Long Beach.
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