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.

Sep 20, 2017 by Maclin Simpson

Unusual Suspects | Forks Up For Sun Devil Men

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.

2015 Results

Pac-12 Championships: 5th
NCAA Championships: Did Not Score

2016 Results

Pac-12 Championships: 5th
NCAA Championships: 46th

2017 Results

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.