ASU Coach Comments on Recruiting Agnes Kovacs

TEMPE, Arizona. Aug. 4. MIKE Chasson, the head coach of the Arizona State University men's and women's swim teams, commented this afternoon on swiminfo's story that 2000 Olympic and 1998 and 2001 world 200 meter breaststroke champion, Agnes Kovacs, will be attending ASU this fall.

"We are delighted to have someone of Agnes' caliber join our team," said Chasson. "Her addition definitely should take us to a higher tier in NCAA swimming."

In recent years, the Sun Devils' women's team have been ranked among the nation's top 25. But they have not cracked the rarefied air of the top 10 since the 1970s. Kovacs, a 19 year-old freshman, could give them the boost they need to compete with the nation's most elite collegiate teams.

The Sun Devils also recruited Kari Wilcox of Sacramento, California, a medley swimmer and national qualifier; and Laurencia Szgeti of Argentina, who represented her country at the World Championships in Japan last month, clocking 56.9 and 2:02.3 for the 100 and 200m freestyle.

Kovacs will arrive in Tempe about mid-August. Said Chasson: "Agnes is a very good student and is very personable. She's got four years of eligibility and we hope she will swim here all four years."

Other coaches are less delighted. Several coaches have reportedly filed protests with the NCAA, questioning Kovacs' eligibility under NCAA rules.

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