Swim Stars Shine: Four Big 12 Weekly Honors Captured!

TEMPE – After their initial week of competition this year, No. 3/14 Sun Devil Swim and Dive collected four Big 12 weekly swimming and diving honors announced by the conference on Wednesday afternoon.

Breaststroke competitor Andy Dobrzanski received his first career weekly accolade after dominating the breaststroke events against Grand Canyon, securing the 100 breast in 52.92 and the 200 breast in 1:55.30. He recorded a 43.97 second leg in the 100 freestyle of the 400 free relay, along with a 23.48 leg in the 50 breast in the 200 medley relay that finished second.

Olympic athlete Tolu Young achieved his second weekly accolade this year after winning the 50 free and being the only swimmer to finish below 20 seconds at 19.90. He also clinched the 100 fly (47.62) against GCU. In the 200 medley relay, he swam a 19.45 leg in the 50 fly, contributing to his relay team’s second-place finish.

Graduate Caroline Bentz attained her sixth Big 12 weekly accolade after winning the 50 free (22.31) and the 200 back (1:53.23) in her competitions against Rice last Friday. She followed this performance with victories in the 100 free (48.73) and the 200 free (1:47.71). Moreover, she was part of the 200 medley relay that set a school record with a 21.47 leg in the 50 free.

In her races against GCU, she participated in the winning 200 medley relay with a starting leg of 24.63 in the 50 back and was also part of the triumphant 400 free relay, swimming a 49.13 relay leg.

Butterfly expert Julia Ullmann secured her second Big 12 weekly award of the season after winning the 200 fly, finishing as the only swimmer under two minutes at 1:59.82. She placed second in the 100 free (50.44) with Bentz capturing the win in that race. Julia clinched the 100 fly (52.86) and was second in the 50 free (22.87) in her events against Rice.

Big 12 Weekly Award Recipients (Jan. 8)
Men’s Swimmer of the Week:  Andy Dobrzanski, Arizona State
Men’s Newcomer of the Week: Tolu Young, Arizona State
Women’s Swimmer of the Week: Caroline Bentz, Arizona State
Women’s Diver of the Week: Zara Ayazi, Arizona
Women’s Newcomer of the Week: Julia Ullmann, Arizona State

What’s Next:
The Sun Devils will return to the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center on Friday, Jan. 10 when both men’s and women’s teams will compete against Minnesota at 2 p.m. MT. Follow the team’s Twitter/X account, @ASUSwimDive, and on Instagram @sundevilswimdive. 

How to Stay Updated:
Keep track of the meet on Meet Mobile as well as the team’s social media accounts on Twitter/X @ASUSwimDive and on Instagram @sundevilswimdive.