Arizona State Upsets Defending Champion Texas Longhorns

Photo Courtesy: Andy Ringgold / Aringo Photos

By Jason Tillotson.

The Arizona State University men’s swimming and diving teams swam past the University of Texas men’s squad, defeating the Longhorns with a score of 162-138. This ASU victory is a sizable stepping stone for Head Coach Bob Bowman and the Sun Devil swimming program, given how fast Texas has been able to swim so far this season.

The No. 10 Sun Devils were able to secure a victory over the 2017 NCAA championship team by winning 7 out of 12 events. Of those seven events, some notable swims were Christian Lorenz’s 100 and 200 breaststroke double, along with Zach Poti’s backstroke event sweep.

Additional wins came from 2017 NCAA scorer Cameron Craig, who took the men’s 100 freestyle in a time of 42.97, ahead of UT’s Brett Ringgold in 44.59. Craig took second in the 200 freestyle later in the meet beyond Freshman standout Grant House who swam to a win in the event with a 1:35.88. The Sun Devils showed diversity by winning the 1000 freestyle with Ben Olszenwski who put together a 9:10.81 ahead of Longhorn Chris Yeager who swam a 9:17.58.

ASU took the final relay as well with the combination of Craig, Andrew Porter, Evan Carlson, and Patrick Park who produced a 1:18.87 for the win ahead of the Longhorns who put together a 1:19.64, for second.

The Longhorn men, who are currently ranked No. 2 so far this season, were able to post some fast swims despite the big loss. Senior Joseph Schooling swam a 1:44.48 in the 200 butterfly, which won him the event. Fellow Senior Ringgold took first in the 50 freestyle in a solid time of 20.11.

Bowman credits positive mindset and previous success on the victory over the reigning national champions. Bowman told ASU Communications he thought his athletes “gained some confidence last week at Cal and Stanford…and felt like if we just stayed positive and just keep moving forward, we’d be in a good place.”

It’s clear Bowman sees a bright future for the ASU men as he mentioned he thinks “we’re going to see some really good swimming and we’re going to have some really good performances at NCAA’s.”

Next up for ASU is a dual with in-state rival Arizona on February 3rd while Texas will be in Phoenix tomorrow to take on Arizona themselves.

For full results of tonight’s action, click here.

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dunc1952

6 years ago

“… while Texas will be in Phoenix tomorrow to take on Arizona themselves.”?

If you are looking to find the Texas v. UofA dual meet on Saturday, you might want to go a bit over 100 miles south to Tucson. I’m sure it will be a great competition, for both men and women.