Unusual Suspects | Forks Up For Sun Devil Men
Unusual Suspects | Forks Up For Sun Devil Men
Unusual Suspects features NCAA Division I swimming programs that have quietly experienced some success the past few years and are poised to break out at the 2018 NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships.
In Unusual Suspects, we profile both men's and women's programs that have quietly experienced some success the past few years and are poised to break out at the 2018 NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships.
Heading into his third season as the head coach in Tempe, AZ, Bob Bowman -- coach and mentor of the most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps -- is constructing a team formidable enough to compete for a top 10 finish at NCAAs in March.
The numbers speak for themselves. Bowman joined the Arizona State program prior to the 2015-16 season. In that time frame, he took the Sun Devils from not scoring at NCAAs to 46th to all the way to 14th in 2017. Not to shabby. Not too shabby, at all.
NCAA Championships: Did Not Score
Pac-12 Championships: 5th
NCAA Championships: 46th
Pac-12 Championships: 4th
NCAA Championships: 14th
The headliner for ASU is most certainly Cameron Craig. The sophomore from Michigan took the Pac-12 by storm last season, notably with a pair of conference titles thanks to a 1:31.71 200 freestyle and 41.95 100 freestyle. Woah. Craig was not as sharp or productive at NCAAs, however, as he was disqualified in the 200 IM and scratched the 100 on the final day to focus on Arizona State's 400 freestyle relay. That relay would go on to finish sixth.
Another star for the Sun Devils is Andrew Porter. The experienced California native returns as a graduate student for his final year of eligibility. Porter is a 100 butterfly specialist who will be on just about all of ASU's relays thanks to his ability to pop off a quick 50 fly, 50 free, and 100 free as well.
The 2016-17 Arizona State squad featured a lot of fringe swimmers who are poised for a breakout season -- most notably breaststroker Christian Lorenz, IM'er Joe Molinari, and butterflier Patrick Park.
Although Bowman lost powerful seniors Richard Bohus, Tadas Duskinas, and Barkley Perry, he picked up a massive recruit in Grant House. The Cincinnati native is a 100-200-500 freestyle specialist who can also lay down a good IM as well. Craig will no doubt enjoy having that back-and-forth training partner.
Prediction? The Sun Devils crack the top 10 at NCAAs this season.
Check out our Workout Wednesday with ASU last winter.
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Heading into his third season as the head coach in Tempe, AZ, Bob Bowman -- coach and mentor of the most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps -- is constructing a team formidable enough to compete for a top 10 finish at NCAAs in March.
The numbers speak for themselves. Bowman joined the Arizona State program prior to the 2015-16 season. In that time frame, he took the Sun Devils from not scoring at NCAAs to 46th to all the way to 14th in 2017. Not to shabby. Not too shabby, at all.
2015 Results
Pac-12 Championships: 5thNCAA Championships: Did Not Score
2016 Results
Pac-12 Championships: 5thNCAA Championships: 46th
2017 Results
Pac-12 Championships: 4thNCAA Championships: 14th
The headliner for ASU is most certainly Cameron Craig. The sophomore from Michigan took the Pac-12 by storm last season, notably with a pair of conference titles thanks to a 1:31.71 200 freestyle and 41.95 100 freestyle. Woah. Craig was not as sharp or productive at NCAAs, however, as he was disqualified in the 200 IM and scratched the 100 on the final day to focus on Arizona State's 400 freestyle relay. That relay would go on to finish sixth.
Another star for the Sun Devils is Andrew Porter. The experienced California native returns as a graduate student for his final year of eligibility. Porter is a 100 butterfly specialist who will be on just about all of ASU's relays thanks to his ability to pop off a quick 50 fly, 50 free, and 100 free as well.
The 2016-17 Arizona State squad featured a lot of fringe swimmers who are poised for a breakout season -- most notably breaststroker Christian Lorenz, IM'er Joe Molinari, and butterflier Patrick Park.
Although Bowman lost powerful seniors Richard Bohus, Tadas Duskinas, and Barkley Perry, he picked up a massive recruit in Grant House. The Cincinnati native is a 100-200-500 freestyle specialist who can also lay down a good IM as well. Craig will no doubt enjoy having that back-and-forth training partner.
Prediction? The Sun Devils crack the top 10 at NCAAs this season.
Check out our Workout Wednesday with ASU last winter.
The Heavy Hitters
Cameron Craig
| Event | Lifetime Best | 2017 NCAA Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 200 IM | 1:42.75 | Disqualified |
| 200 Freestyle | 1:31.71 | 5th |
| 100 Freestyle | 41.95 | Declared False Start |
Andrew Porter
| Event | Lifetime Best | 2017 NCAA Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 50 Freestyle | 19.45 | 34th |
| 100 Butterfly | 45.50 | 11th |
| 100 Freestyle | 43.17 | Declared False Start |
Christian Lorenz
| Event | Lifetime Best | 2017 NCAA Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Breaststroke | 52.32 | 34th |
| 200 Breaststroke | 1:53.87 | 27th |
Joe Molinari
| Event | Lifetime Best |
|---|---|
| 200 IM | 1:47.19 |
| 400 IM | 3:48.97 |
| 200 Backstroke | 1:44.28 |
Patrick Park
| Event | Lifetime Best |
|---|---|
| 50 Freestyle | 19.72 |
| 100 Butterfly | 46.83 |
| 200 Butterfly | 1:42.83 |
Grant House
| Event | Lifetime Best |
|---|---|
| 200 IM | 1:46.35 |
| 500 Freestyle | 4:19.15 |
| 200 Freestyle | 1:34.52 |
| 100 Freestyle | 43.90 |
| 200 Breaststroke | 1:58.24 |