Sun Devils Continue Relay Momentum On Day Three Of NCAAs

(Photo: Casey McNulty/Sun Devil Athletics)

Arizona State swim and dive competed in one event during the day three finals session of the NCAA Championships. The quartet of graduate Caroline Bentz, senior Iza Adame, freshman Julia Ullmann and fifth-year Erin Milligan appeared in the second heat of the 400-yard medley relay, finishing 12th overall after entering the competition as the 17th seed.

Bentz led off the relay for Arizona State, swimming an impressive 100-yard backstroke. After her first 50 yards, she touched the wall at 24.86 seconds. Although the field was even after her leg, Bentz out-touched her opponents to take the lead, quickly asserting dominance for the Sun Devils.

Adame dove into the water next for the Sun Devil women, and she immediately utilized her strong underwater breaststroke pull-outs to gain a lead on the rest of the competition. The senior swam a strong last 25 yards, touching the wall with a 58.54 split, giving a half-body length lead to her teammate Ullmann.

Ullmann swam the butterfly leg for Arizona State. She touched first at the 50-yard mark with an impressive time of 22.51. She continued the momentum throughout her race with fast underwater kicks off each wall. The freshman finished her leg of the relay with a split of 51.09.

Milligan was last in the water for the Sun Devils but dove into the pool before the rest of the competition. Milligan built an entire body-length lead on the field, allowing her to swim in clean water. She was quick off each wall with a fast underwater kick exploding into a sprint to secure the win for Arizona State, clocking in at 3:29.01.

Texas A&M came in second, 1.22 seconds behind the Sun Devils with a time of 3:30.23, and Florida State took third place, clocking in at 3:30.93.

Coming up on the last day of the NCAA Championships, the Sun Devil women have yet to see success in individual events. The team will attempt to turn things around on the last day of the meet.