ASU swimmers practice on Nov. 4, 2014 at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Complex in Tempe. (Emily Johnson/The State Press)Entering a weekend of two home dual meets against Pac-12 opponents California and Stanford, the ASU swim and dive team is in the midst of the best success it has had all season.
Injuries led to a poor start to the season for the women (4-5). Since regaining its health, it has won four straight, including a 182-111 win against BYU where the ASU women won 15 of 16 events.
The women have also benefited from the consistency and experience of senior swimmer Melanie Busch, who holds this season’s top team times in the 50 freestyle, the 100 freestyle and the 200 individual medley races.
Although Busch will graduate at the end of the year, the women have some young talent as well. Jorie Caneta, a freshman out of Bakersfield, California, holds the team’s top times in the 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke. In addition, freshman Ivana Ninkovic, a former Olympian, has top four finishes in both the 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke this season.
Another talented young swimmer is sophomore Ingibjorg Jonsdottir, a freestyle specialist who said the women’s team is much different than earlier in the season.
“Unlike before, we’re healthy now,” she said. “Everyone is doing their part and performing well.”
She also noted the team has hit its stride and needs to keep doing well in all phases.
“To continue this stretch, we need to keep working hard and taking care of our bodies,” Jonsdottir said.
The men (3-6) returned only five upperclassmen and one senior this season — the lone senior is Zac Dalby, who holds the team's top times in the 100 butterfly, the 200 butterfly, the 200 individual medley and the 400 individual medley.
In Associate Head Coach Greg Earhart’s first year with the team, the men are fighting through the rebuilding process as they continue developing young talent.
He said he has tried to bring a new presence to the team.
“This coaching staff has been missing a few key pieces the past few years,” Earhart said. “I have just tried to bring the concept of team here and really buy into it — any one coach can do it.”
However, the men will be facing tough tasks Friday and Saturday because Cal and Stanford are two top programs in the country, Earhart said.
“It’s going to be tough to beat them,” he said. “We’re just hoping to race hard and have everyone do their part to give us a chance to win.”
Junior Thibaut Capitaine, the ASU record-holder in the 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke, has been dominant this season and is once again the team’s top performer in the breaststroke.
Another bright spot for the men is freshman diver David Hoffer, who won Pac-12 Diver of the Month in December. The award is ASU’s 15th all-time of that kind, the most of any Pac-12 swimming and diving program. With scores of 356.50 and 352.35, Hoffer also has ASU’s top two 3-meter dives this season.
The ASU swim and dive teams will look to sustain success by winning dual meets against Pac-12 opponents California and Stanford on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
Reach the reporter at Justin.Toscano@asu.edu or on Twitter @justintoscano3
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