ASU swimmers practice on Nov. 4, 2014 at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Complex in Tempe. (Emily Johnson/The State Press)ASU swim and dive sophomore Tadas Duskinas is one of the team's many examples of young talent, but perhaps, he is the best example.
Duskinas is ASU's only male swimmer competing in this season's NCAA Championships — junior Thibaut Capitaine is just an alternate.
"I'm kind of sad that I'm the only one who made it to NCAAs," Duskinas said. "But swimming is an individual sport too, and I understand that."
Since returning from a knee injury suffered earlier in the season, Duskinas is swimming his best just in time for the most important meet of the year.
"My knee feels very strong," he said. "I have just been trying to work hard in the pool to improve in preparation for NCAAs."
However, he said the secret comes with trusting the coaches.
"I just try to trust the coaches and everything they have us do in practice because they know best," Duskinas said. "If you don't trust the coaches, you're not going to go very far in this sport."
Duskinas will be swimming in the 50-meter freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly events at NCAAs, all of which are races he holds team season-bests in.
"My goal is to swim faster each time out and make the finals in the events I am competing in," he said.
It was not always easy, though. Duskinas said he did not swim his best during his freshman year, which proved to be somewhat disappointing to him.
"When I was a freshman, I didn't really have too great of a season," he said. "I knew that my performance during that time wasn't my best."
Now, things have changed for the better.
On a young ASU men's swim and dive team, his early success and class standing have warranted a leadership role in the near future, if not already. His consistent performance throughout the season's dual meets and in the Pac-12 Championships was a huge boost for the men.
Duskinas said he would gladly welcome the role.
"I really like it when people look up to me and ask me for tips and help," he said. "I'm always here to help the younger guys on the team."
The job may not be too difficult, though. He praised the freshmen swimmers on the ASU men's team, noting their quick improvement throughout the season.
"The young guys on our team did a great job this year, and guys like (freshman) Patrick Park will only get better with experience in handling the nerves that come with big meets," Duskinas said.
Although Duskinas felt like he did not swim his best during his freshman year, he had experience in handling nerves from his time swimming internationally.
Born in Kaunas, Lithuania, Duskinas was the 2013 Lithuanian National Champion in the 50 freestyle, 50 butterfly and 100 butterfly events — he is the country's 50 butterfly record-holder for several age groups. In addition, he competed in the 2013 FINA World Championships.
"Handling the nerves just comes with experience," Duskinas said. "I had experience swimming internationally, mainly in the World Championships, where the pools and crowds are massive, so swimming in the pool in front of crowd at the Pac-12s was nothing for me."
However, ASU swim and dive does not take a backseat in his list of priorities. He said there are many similarities between representing his country and school.
"ASU is my second family right now," Duskinas said. "I dedicate half of my year to ASU for the season and half of my year to my country for international competition, but they hold the same importance to me."
Duskinas will compete in his three scheduled events during the men's NCAA Championships, which take place from March 26 to 28 in Iowa City.
Reach the reporter at Justin.Toscano@asu.edu or follow @justintoscano3 on Twitter.
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