Competitive Rivalry Meet Creates Unforgettable Ambiance At Mona Plummer

(Photo: Casey McNulty/Sun Devil Athletics)

TEMPE – The Arizona State Sun Devils and University of Arizona Wildcats met in a sensational dual meet to cap off the Sun Devils’ regular season. ASU and Arizona fans flooded the stands to support both teams’ final dual meet efforts and to break the attendance record at Mona Plummer.

This highly anticipated duel in the desert was the two teams’ third matchup this season. The competitive fire on deck was racing through the athletes’ veins, and the swimmers could not be more excited to perform against their in-state rivals.

Positivity surged through Mona Plummer after fans spent the morning tailgating with fellow families and friends. The Sun Devil band also made an appearance at the pool, and it played upbeat music to get the swimmers ready to race and fans ready to cheer.

The meet began with the Sun Devils’ senior celebrations, recognizing their hard work and dedication to the team. Families surrounded their seniors with love as each swimmer was announced individually. The swimmers were given a golden pitchfork to represent their diligence as a Sun Devil. From seniors Iza Adame and Charli Brown to seniors Patrick Sammon and Jack Wadsworth, each swimmer on the Sun Devil squad has changed ASU’s swim program for the better, whether contributing to school records or a national championship.

Kyle Sockwell, former Sun Devil swim and dive team captain, stopped by Mona Plummer on his collegiate swimming dual meet tour. Sockwell pumped up the crowd as his goal was to set record attendance in his former Tempe home.

The fans’ energy carried into the racing. The women’s 200-medley relay brought the energy up in the pool as they dove into the water to tip off the meet. Sun Devil and Wildcat teammates behind the blocks cheered for the swimmers in the water, keeping the vitality of the meet alive. If you listened closely, you could hear multiple camera shutters in the background, capturing the moment and the swimmers’ true passion behind the sport.

The crowd got rowdy when it came time for the men’s 100-yard freestyle. The Sun Devils and the Wildcats sliced into the water as they dove off the blocks and put their full force into this race. The booming support from the crowd carried through the entire pool as the waves from the swimmers crescendoed into the wall to finish the event.

When the 200-yard freestyle relay closed out the meet, mixed emotions were felt across the deck. The Sun Devil seniors were sad that their last time competing at Mona Plummer had ended, but they were also excited to enter championship season and represent ASU once more.

“I’m so sad that it’s my last race here,” said Adame. “But I’m excited for Big 12s and NCAAs to come. We want to win Big 12s, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

After the meet ended, the Sun Devils reminisced about their time in Tempe. Being a swimmer at ASU has changed the lives of many in and out of the pool, including senior Daniel Matheson.

“I’ve grown a lot with this team,” said Matheson. “Just my love for the people around me truly made me grow into who I was and become such a better leader. I’m grateful for that because I’ve got so many more tools in my toolbox now.”