(Photo: Susan Wong/WCSN)
The Arizona Wildcats started Saturday’s Territorial Cup cheering to the tune of ‘Let’s go Cats’, but it was the Sun Devils who finished the cheering after winning every single event in a Senior Day worth remembering.
The No. 13 ranked men Sun Devils dominated the No. 10 Wildcats 202-92 while the unranked women Sun Devils defeated Arizona, 181-103.
“Arizona is a very well coached team and train really hard and they raced hard today and all the respect in the world for them, but our guys came in and they were ready,” head coach Bob Bowman said.
The meet marked the largest margin of victory for both teams against Arizona since at least 1998 – as far back as the recorded history goes and only the second time in 27 years, the women have overthrown the Wildcats.
“The times were good, I felt like the way they swam was good. I liked some of the things that we’re doing better technically now, turns and starts and the relay take offs are starting to sharpen up a little bit,” Bowman said.
In their last home meet of the season, 13 seniors bid farewell to the ASU fans that consumed three quarters of the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center.
“They’ve been through a whole big process now. They’ve seen a real transformation in the culture here and they’ve been a big part of it, so we owe a big debt to those guys,” Bowman said.
Ben Olszewski stood tall in his last meet at home, recording his best ever time in the 1000 free (8:57.80). The swim saw him finish 0.16 off the ASU record and secured him the 10th fastest time in Division I swimming.
“This was the biggest dual meet of my entire college career, so it feels really good,” Olszewski said. “I feel like I always had that in me, and everything fell together today.
Olszewski was not the only senior that went out with a bang. Youssef Selim won the one-meter and three-meter diving, while Silja Kansakoski touched first in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and Zach Poti and Chloe Isleta won the 100 and 200 backstroke.
“Every meet is going to be the last and it’s more impactful and more meaningful and you’re just trying to make your moments happen for the team,” Isleta said. “We got together and said we’re gonna swim for each other and even the lowerclassmen were like we’re gonna swim for you guys.”
Freshman Lindsay Looney stole the day from the seniors, simultaneously winning the 200 butterfly and breaking Ashton Aubry’s 11-year-old school record by nearly an entire second, touching in 1:55.39.
“I didn’t even realise it was a school record until after I swam the race looked at my time and then I looked at the record board,” Looney said. “Against our biggest rivals, I’m really happy with it.”
While Bowman thought it was a good swim, he knows it will not be the last time Looney breaks that record.
Looney also managed to secure a season best and top spot in the 100 butterfly with a time of 53.65.
“I really wanted to do big things for the seniors here and show them we’re going to carry on their legacy,” Looney said.
Emma Nordin managed to repeat her three wins last week, taking the 1000, 500 and 200 free once again.
Cody Bybee won the 100 and 200 fly, Camryn Curry and Carter Swift touched first in the men’s and women’s 50 and 100 free, while Liam Bresette won the 500 free and the 200 IM.
The dominating performance across the park from ASU might have some programs taking note, however it is to be noted that Arizona did not suit up, which could justify their less from ideal performance against the Sun Devils.
“Everybody has a way they want to do it and you have to respect the way each team wants to progress through the season,” Bowman said.
The Sun Devils will have to take their winning form into the Pac-12 Swimming and Diving Championships later this month in the hope of qualifying for the NCAA’s.
