There's no time for the ASU women's swimming and diving team to hesitate. From here on out, the results count.
The Pac-10 Championships start today in Federal Way, Wash., presenting the last opportunity for swimmers and divers to qualify for next month's NCAA Championships.
Throughout the season, ASU coach Michael Chasson has picked his battles in preparation for the Pac-10 Championships. He claims his team is ready.
"We've been looking forward to this for a long time," said Chasson, whose team finished fifth at last year's Pac-10 Championships.
Chasson said swimmers and divers who have not qualified for the NCAA Championships are treating this week's competition as if it was their last of the season.
"We have probably about eight women who could qualify," Chasson said. "They take about 32 people per event [for the NCAA Championships]."
The Sun Devils finished the season ranked 15th nationally and were fifth in the Pac-10. Chasson said his team's training regiment could alter the rankings.
"It's a rebound effect," Chasson said of the tapering process swimmers undergo in preparation for an important meet. "You start working very hard, and you get tired. You get slower. Then when you rest, you bounce up higher than [your original speed]."
Chasson said his team could place as high as fifth in the
Pac-10 Championships. He expressed concern over USC's strong diving team.
ASU senior Trisha Tumlinson, the reigning Pac-10 Diver of the Year, figures to be on the podium Sunday, although Chasson said some schools might overwhelm ASU's quality with quantity.
"There are a lot of easy points to be scored in the bonus consolation dives," Chasson said. "If a school that has more divers gets 19th through 24th -- plus, they have one good diver -- then they are going to get more points than Trisha."
The Sun Devils need strong performances from freshman Caitlin Andrew and senior Agnes Kovacs, who have anchored the team in recent weeks.
"She's excited," Chasson said of Andrew. "She has swam in big meets, but not with this intensity, with this level of competition, where a team depends on you."
Chasson said his team's performance should be evaluated by the number of swimmers who qualify for the NCAA Championships.
"If you haven't made your NCAA cut, this is it," Chasson said. "There is no tomorrow. You don't want to leave anything in the tank."
Reach the reporter at mark.saxon@asu.edu.
