By
Lindsey Manroel
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Arizona swimmers invite Sun Devils to final spring season
The UA swim team will face off against Arizona State tomorrow at noon in the Wildcats' final home spring meet.
Although the rivalry between the Wildcats and Sun Devils isn't as vicious as in other sports, this weekend's competition should provide both teams with fast and competitive races.
"It's a very competitive rivalry in the pool," UA sophomore Jeff Dash said. "We are really itching for a victory this year. There's no possibility it will be a blowout - it will go back and forth, and the better team will win."
It's been two years since UA defeated the Sun Devils, giving the Wildcats motivation to take home a victory in its home pool.
"It's not going to be a cake walk," senior Scott Gaskins said. "I want to have a win against ASU. That would be a great way of going out as a senior, shutting out ASU in our own house."
Although ASU has dominated the No. 7 UA men for the last two seasons, the Sun Devils have traditionally been weak in the long distance events, an area the Wildcats should dominate.
However, the most recognizable contribution to Arizona's performance throughout the spring season has come from the diving team.
"This season has been great, and it would be great (to beat ASU)," sophomore diver Scott Koenig said. "We set that to be a goal every year - to beat them in the duel meet. It comes down to racing and competing, not worrying about postseason but just worrying about what we have to do for that race or that dive."
Despite going into the meet as the favored team, the Wildcats are anticipating strong competition from their arch-rival.
"It'll be a tough meet for us," sophomore Annie Joseph said. "Our coaches have told us that they'll be ready to race. We're going to have to step up."
While the No. 2 UA women do not pride themselves on being a strong duel-meet team, a defeat over ASU would give the Wildcats a jump-start going into the postseason.
"It's the last meet in the season and another stepping stone toward the end of the season," junior Katie Zimbone said. "Beating them would be a great accomplishment - to get us to the next level that we need to be at."
Dash agreed.
"It would be incredible," Dash said. "Any time a UA team beats the ASU team, it's a victory for the entire school. To beat ASU would be awesome."
