ASU Swim and Dive: Sun Devils set to face tough SEC opponents

(Photo via Hailey Sasnett/WCSN)

Under eighth-year head coach Bob Bowman, the 2022-23 ASU swim and dive season begins Friday in Athens, Georgia against Georgia. The following day, the team stays in Georgia for a tri-meet against the Bulldogs and Missouri.

Last season, the men’s swim and dive team had its most successful season since 1982, finishing sixth at the NCAA Championships.

It all starts with sophomore Léon Marchand. Last season, Marchand had one of the most successful seasons in program history. He was named CSCAA’s Division I Men’s Swimmer of the Year and an All-American in seven events.

At the NCAA Championships, Marchand won two events and set an NCAA record in the 200 IM (1:37.69). He was also named Pac-12 Freshman and Men’s Swimmer of the Year for his performance. The Sun Devils hope that a lot is in store for Marchand’s sophomore season in Tempe.

Redshirt senior Cody Bybee is another key returner for the 2022 season. Bybee was a member of numerous relays that competed at the NCAA Championships last season. He was part of the team that placed second in the 4×100 freestyle relay and had three top-10 finishes in the meet.

With an abundance of crucial transfers and the revitalization of the dive program under second-year head coach Marc Briggs, ASU is seated in a position to contend for a national title.

The Georgia Bulldogs men’s swim and dive team finished 8th at the NCAA Championships last season due to breakout freshman Matthew Sates winning the 500 freestyle and sophomore Luca Urlando’s NCAA record finish in the 100 backstroke. Sates’ performance in the regular season also earned him SEC Freshman Swimmer of the Year.

Junior Jake Magahey shined at nationals last season. Magahey finished top five in both the 500 freestyle and 1,650 freestyle. He is second in program history in both events and holds the Georgia record for the 1,000 freestyle and 4×200 freestyle relay.

Additionally, Magahey earned First Team CSCAA All-American honors in the 500 freestyle, 1,650 freestyle and 4×200 freestyle relay.

A new era has arrived in Athens as 44-year head coach Jack Bauerle retired during the summer. First-year head coach Neil Versfeld takes over the program. Versfeld had previously served three seasons as associate head coach, where he had a lot of success working with breaststroke and distance swimmers.

The Tigers men’s swim and dive team finished 25th at last season’s NCAA Championships. Two senior swimmers received All-America mentions for top-10 finishes at the meet. Graduate student Jack Dahlgren finished sixth in the 200 backstroke, giving him his first career NCAA podium.

Additionally, the team earned six All-American honorable mentions from last season’s NCAA Championship.

Fourth-year head coach Andrew Grevers’ team looks to be more competitive in national competition this season.

Under Bowman, ASU’s women’s swim and dive team boasts a mix of talent that looks to compete in the Pac-12.

Redshirt sophomore Erin Milligan was one of five Sun Devils to compete at the 2022 NCAA Championships. Milligan was part of the 4×200 freestyle relay that placed 11th. Redshirt junior Lindsay Looney was also part of that team.

Sophomore Charli Brown started the 2022 season strong at ASU’s annual Maroon & Gold Scrimmage last Friday, earning the women’s crown. Brown had a successful freshman campaign last season. At last season’s Pac-12 Championships, Brown finished top 25 in three events.

Freshmen Zoe Summer and Ginger McMahon had impressive Sun Devil debuts at the intrasquad. Summer finished top five in four events while McMahon finished top seven in three events.

Several returners made noise at the scrimmage. Redshirt junior Jade Foelske finished top seven in four events, including the 100 butterfly. Foelske raced in three events at the 2022 NCAA Championships, including an 18th overall finish in the 200 butterfly.

Looney won the 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle at the Maroon & Gold and placed third in the 100 IM. Last season, Looney placed 10th in the 200 butterfly at the NCAA Championships while breaking her own school record (1:53.25). Additionally, she placed 24th in the 200 freestyle.

Georgia women’s swim and dive finished 15th at the 2022 NCAA Championships with a balanced performance. 10 swimmers combined to earn 29 All-America honors.

Junior Zoie Hartman stood out, earning two First Team and five Second Team All-American honors. Hartman holds program records in the 100 and 200 backstroke and holds the second-best mark in the 200 IM and 4×100 medley relay.

Sophomore Abby McCulloh finished her impressive freshman season with a First Team All-American honor in the 1,650 freestyle and second-team selection in the 500 freestyle. Her performance earned her a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team.

The Bulldogs lost a few key pieces to last season’s roster, including graduate student Peyton Palsha, who placed top 55 in three events at the NCAA Championships and Fifth year Danielle Della Torre who finished her final season with three top 50 finishes at the NCAA Championships.

The Missouri Tigers women’s swim and dive team finished 25th at the NCAA Championships last season.

Four Tigers received First Team All-American honors for the 4×200 freestyle relay. Senior Megan Keil earned three All-American honors, including two honorable mentions for the 50 free and 4×100 freestyle relay.

Senior Amy Feddersen, junior Sierra Smith and fifth-year Sarah Thompson all swam in two relays that earned All-American honors.

Senior Meredith Rees placed in the top 70 in three events at NCAAs. Her 16th overall placement in the 100 backstroke earned her an All-American honorable mention.

During the first meet of the season, both the men’s and women’s swim and dive teams will face tough SEC competition to gain perspective on where they stand heading into the rest of the season.