Bob Bowman and the Arizona State Sun Devils have picked up an important addition for their future. After two years at Arizona*, Andrew Porter will make the move to Tempe, though he’ll use the 2015-2016 season to train for the U.S. Olympic Trials before planning to join the varsity squad in the fall of 2016.
Editor’s Note: we’ve refrained from assigning Porter a class because his ‘years of eligibility’ situation, after two off, is not clean cut, and will have to be decided by the NCAA. He should have 1 or 2 years of eligibility remaining.
Porter, a 2 time NCAA qualifier, swims a wide range of events. His most valuable contributions have been in fly and IM. He has best times of 45.50 and 1:46.14 in the 100 and 200 fly. He’s also been 1:44.82 and 3:48.54 in the IMs.
Prior to taking 2014-15 off from competition, Porter made some big improvements in his main events throughout his time at Arizona. Here’s a look at his progression:
| High School | Freshman Year | Sophomore Year | |
| 100 fly | 49.61 | 47.68 | 45.50 |
| 200 fly | 1:51.99 | 1:46.63 | 1:46.14 |
| 200 IM | 1:47.51 | 1:44.82 | 1:45.60 |
| 400 IM | 3:53.52 | 3:48.54 | N/A |
| 50 free | 21.67 | 21.20 | 20.15 |
| 100 free | 46.92 | 47.50 | 45.92 |
| 100 back | 52.58 | 52.70 | 48.05 |
Having swum with the University of Arizona for 2 seasons, Porter is already familiar with the Pac-12. He will look to be a factor for Arizona State at the conference and NCAA level. Porter was a 3 event scorer at Pac-12s his freshman and sophomore year. He scored in the 200 IM his freshman year at Pac-12s before moving on to become a double event scorer his sophomore year in the 400 IM and 200 fly.
Last season, Arizona State went without any scoring swims at the men’s NCAA Championships. Porter could immediately change that. At the 2014 NCAA Championships, he won the B final with his personal best 45.50. That time would’ve been good for 4th place at NCAAs last year.
He’s also a relay prospect for the Sun Devils. Their fastest 100 butterflier last season, junior Tadas Duskinas, has a best time of 46.10. He also adds depth to their 4×100 free relay. His flat start best of 45.92 from a dual meet doesn’t quite stand out compared to his other events, but he’s put up substantially faster relay splits, including a 44.17 from Pac-12s.
Why did Porter sit out last season? It looks to me like Arizona has been “cleaning house” and is rebuilding under a new head coach. The recruiting class of 2015, is looking pretty good.
Man, Arizona sure has had a rapid fall from grace. Outside of Cordes they disappeared after graduating Friedemann, Giles and Tandy without anyone to really replace them, except maybe Porter
Poor coaching and even worse recruiting. The statitics show for themselves. From on 3rd at NCAAs in 2012, they have not preformed up to expectations since and the program is moving in the wrong direction.
David- Arizona has top 10 recruiting classes for both the men and women this year. Also, I finished swimming there this past Spring. Nothing poor about the coaching.
I thought the trolls were quieted. Guess not.. Please reference below:
http://swimswam.com/ranking-the-2015-mens-ncaa-recruiting-classes-5-8/
right over to the rival school LOL
His fastest 100 fly time is faster than his fastest 100 free time…
I saw Porter compete back when he swam at CCS championships several years ago. Kicked my butt swimming head to head. He was a stud as a high schooler and I think he’s going to do great things under bowman.
Ouch for Arizona….