(Photo: Casey McNulty/Sun Devil Athletics)
TEMPE – On back-to-back weekends, the Arizona State Sun Devils will have another dual in Tempe waters against the University of Minnesota Gophers. On Friday, the Devils will get their first chance to race a Big Ten school and go against a CSCAA-ranked team.
The Gophers will head to the desert with a No. 24 ranked men’s team and a No. 23 ranked women’s team. After recently falling short to the University of Wisconsin and losing the Minnesota Invitational at their home pool, the Gophers hope to rewrite their narrative with a win against the Devils
Freshman Jacob Johnson has the ability to turn things around and be a strong asset for the Gophers. Johnson specializes in butterfly events and has recently earned his fourth Big Ten freshman of the week honor. Another freshman powerhouse for Minnesota is the two-time freshman of the week award winner Livi Wanner. Wanner will be a powerful freestyle sprinter for the Gopher squad.
The Sun Devils are heading into this meet with a win against Grand Canyon and will look to continue their upward momentum. Recently, the Devils have shown no signs of slowing down, as the women’s 200-yard medley relay of sophomore Miriam Sheehan, senior Iza Adame, freshman Julia Ullmann and graduate Caroline Bentz broke their own school record for the fourth time against the Lopes. Junior Jonny Kulow is continuing his strong sprint campaign for the men’s team, as he has been a tough competitor for the Sun Devils with his resilient effort in the freestyle events.
So far this season, Arizona State’s men’s team has been undefeated, making this dual meet vital to continue its winning season. The Sun Devil women currently sit at 6-3 but will look to improve that record before championship season. Overall, this dual meet will allow the Sun Devils to get back into the swing of ranked competition before they head into the final stretch of regular season meets.
