Swimming Back in Action with Maroon & Gold Intrasquad
TEMPE -- It had been 601 days since the Sun Devils last competed at home, and the swimming program couldn't have been more eager to get back into the lanes in front of their own fans. They kicked off their 2021-22 season with their annual intrasquad Maroon & Gold scrimmage on Friday afternoon.
The event is used as an opportunity for the players to display the work they've put into their craft over the offseason, especially given the 19-month layoff in between their last competition. This year's event employed a pentathlon format, in which each swimmer participated in five events.
It also provides the coaches an opportunity to identify who specializes in which events as the start of the regular season nears. This year's scrimmage was unique because it was the first time the freshmen and redshirt freshmen classes competed at the collegiate level. Not only do coaches get a glance at the makeup of their rosters, but the younger swimmers are introduced to the competition and what it takes to succeed at this level.
It was a perfect blend of new and old, with freshmen Charli Brown and Léon Marchand plus redshirt freshman Elli Straume putting together notable performances. Jade Foelske, Lindsay Looney, Emma Nordin, Carter Swift and Grant House also enjoyed successful afternoon, a sign that the Sun Devils will have a terrific balance of young talent and veteran leadership this year.
John Heaphy, Dylan Gravley and Jordan Dunn getting after it in the 100 yd freestyle ?????? pic.twitter.com/gzohtgQRUf
— Sun Devil Swim/Dive (@ASUSwimDive) October 1, 2021
Optimism and team morale were at a high after the team's hiatus last season, and head coach Bob Bowman is confident that the Sun Devils have the pieces to contend this year.
"I'm very confident, we have a great group," he said. "If they are able to stay healthy and consistently train, I think we'll have some very good times by the end of the year."
The Sun Devils will officially kick off their regular season when the women's team heads to Washington State on Saturday, October 16.