Sun Devils begin action at Texas Invitational

The Arizona State men and women's swimming teams began competition today at the Texas Invite in Austin, Texas. Three current Devils qualified for "A" finals which will happen later tonight. The Sun Devils earned one NCAA "A" time and six "B" times.

The meet started with the 100 fly. All-American Caitlin Andrew, who placed third at last season's NCAA Championships in the event, finished fourth in her heat with an automatic NCAA qualifying time of 53.32. She qualified for the "A" final which will take place later tonight.

Ashton Aubry also competed in the 100 fly. The sophomore from Leawood, Kan., placed 10th overall in the preliminaries by finishing in 54 seconds flat. Her time, an NCAA consideration time, was not only her personal best but also put her at third on ASU's all-time fastest time list. Aubry's time qualified for the "B" final.

In the men's 100 fly, John Dwelley and Sean Boyle both qualified for the "C" final. Dwelley's time of 48.54 was just above the NCAA consideration time. Dwelley finished 18th in the preliminaries and Sean Boyle's time of 48.81 put him at 21st overall.

In the women's 500 free, Shannon Garrett and Christine Mauro both qualified for the "B" final, finishing 13th and 15th in the preliminaries. Garrett touched in at 4:57.60, a personal best. Mauro clocked in a personal best as well, finishing in 4:59.71.

CJ Nuess led ASU in the men's 500 free. The senior All American clocked in an NCAA consideration time of 4:22.81 to put him at fifth in the preliminaries and qualify him for the "A" final. Vinicius Waked and Adrian Kirkpatrick both qualified for the "C" final with times of 4:31.61 and 4:33.27 respectively.

In the women's 200 IM preliminaries, Ashley Evans was the top Sun Devil finisher. The sophomore earned an NCAA consideration time of 2:01.84 to place 11th overall. Evans will compete in the "B" final later tonight. Rikka Brunner qualified for the "C" final by finishing 18th in the preliminaries. The junior from Mukilteo, Wash., earned a personal best of 2:04.52.

The women's 50 free saw two Sun Devils earn NCAA consideration times. Jen Beckberger qualified for the "A" final by finishing seventh overall. Her time of 22.78 was not only a personal best for Beckberger and is now the third fastest 50 free ever swam by a Sun Devil. Jess Perazzo also swam a personal best, 23.24, finished 15th in the preliminaries, qualifying for the "B" final. Her time is the sixth fastest ASU 50 free time and is also an NCAA consideration time. Lindsey Brown qualified for the "C" final with a time of 23.41.

In the 50 free on the men's side, former Sun Devil Nick Brunelli finished second in the preliminary rounds with a time of 19.43. Steve Neuwert and Mohammed Madwa both qualified for the "C" final, finishing 18th and 19th respectively. Neuwert clocked in a time of 20.24 while Madwa was just behind him, touching in at 20.25.

In the 200 IM CJ Nuess clocked in an NCAA consideration time of 1:49.14 and will compete in the "C" final of the event.

The finals of today's preliminaries will begin at 6 p.m. CT.