Arizona State Swimming and Diving Hosts UCSB in Gold Game

October 25, 2007

Oct. 25, 2007

The Arizona State University swimming and diving teams hosts the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos on Friday Oct. 26 and Saturday Oct. 27. Friday's meet starts at 5 p.m. and is a Gold Game. The action continues Saturday at 11 a.m.

Quick Recap
The Sun Devil women remain perfect on the season as they handily defeated UNLV 205-95. Although individuals such as CJ Nuess, Micky Benedetti and Lucas Azevedo have won numerous events against the Rebels, UNLV slipped past the Sun Devils 158.5-141.5. The women are 3-0 on the season while the men are 0-3.

A Look at UCSB
The University of California, Santa Barbara Gauchos come to Tempe for their second meet of the season. The women are 1-1 after defeating Oregon State and falling to UCLA last weekend. The men have not competed in a dual yet this season as the Sun Devils will be their season opener.

Glad to Have You Back!
Six athletes who earned All-American status last season return to compete for the Sun Devils. Senior Caitlin Andrew earned All-American status in the 100 fly and 100 back. Andrew also earned All-American status in three different relays. Jen Beckberger Lindsey Brown comes back for her senior season after gathering All-American honors in the 200 free relay. Sara McDaniel was also named an All-American last season due to her part in the 200 and 400 medley relays. comes back after a successful sophomore season where she garnered All-American honors in the 200 free and 200 and 400 medley relays.

On the men's side, Micky Benedetti comes back for his junior season after finishing runner-up on the platform at the NCAA Championships. The Rome, Italy native also earned All-America honors in the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard. C.J. Nuess gathered two All-American accolades last season in the 1650 free and 400 IM.

Andrew the Great
Senior captain Caitlin Andrew returns to the Sun Devils to cap her stellar career at Arizona State. The San Antonio, Texas native earned five All American accolades last season, highlighted by a third place finish in the 100 butterfly at the NCAA Championships. She has continued her success this season by placing first in every event, every meet so far this season.

Diving into Success
All-American Micky Benedetti comes back for his junior season after a very successful sophomore season. After finishing national runner-up on the platform, he aims to make a championship run this season. He also earned All-American status on the 1-meter and 3-meter.

On the women's side, freshman Brittany Jumer has already made a splash as she captured the 1-meter and 3-meter at UNLV this last week. The Ham Lake, Minn., native finished with scores of 236.55 and 256.20 respectively.

Nuess News
After earning All-America accolades his junior year in the 400 IM and 1650 freestyle, CJ Nuess continues his excellent ASU career into his senior season. This past week he finished first in the 1000 free (9:29.66), 200 breast (2:03.67) and 200 IM (1:51.46).

Oh Captain, My Captain(s)
The captains for the 2007-08 season have been announced. On the women's side, All-American Caitlin Andrew and Lindsey Brown are to take reign of the leadership of the team. The men's team has named captains for the first time since the 2004 season. John Dwelley and Steve Neuwert are to share captain duties for the 2007-08 season.

Welcome to the Team
The Sun Devils welcome 14 new faces to the swimming and diving squads. Nine men and five women have been added to their respective rosters. Of these, seven of the men and all of the women are freshmen. In addition to the new freshmen, Luke Herlehy and Vinicius Waked join the team as transfers.

Strong Seniors
The Sun Devils have strong senior leadership on both squads this season. The women are led by All-Americans Caitlin Andrew Lindsey Brown. In addition to the two co-captains, Lindsey Russenberg, Ellis Schieman and Emlynn Tursick enter their senior season. On the men's side, 2008 marks the final year for co-captains John Dwelley and Steve Neuwert, as well as All-Americans Lucas Azevedo and CJ Nuess. Luke Herlehy, a transfer from Ohio University, is also a senior.
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Rankings
The Sun Devils have been ranked in the www.collegeswimming.com poll Top 25 poll. The women, who finished 16th at last year's NCAA, are ranked 23rd while the men are 21st.

Scholars
The Arizona State swimming and diving teams have not only had succes in the pool, but in the classroom as well. Since Coach Mike Chasson has taken over the program, the men and women's teams have collected 144 Pac-10 All Academic honors. This past spring, Caitlin Andrew, Cassidy Farwell, Frankie Judy and Jill Kripps were named to First Team Pac-10 All-Academic while Lindsey Brown and Amy Konowalik were named to the Second Team. Abra Amour, Rikka Brunner, Christine Creek, Sarah Fischer, Amanda Gillespie, Erin Hobbs, Ilene Lesch, Ellis Schieman and Emlynn Tursick were all named as honorable mention. Billy Sweeney was named to the men's First Team and Lucas Azevedo made the Second Team.