Since Frank Busch left Arizona’s swimming program to be the director of national teams for USA Swimming, the Wildcats have predictably ebbed. On Friday, the UA women’s swimming team, a top-five finisher in the NCAAs for 12 consecutive seasons, did not score a point at the NCAA championships. They usually average about 75 a day, or more. The UA was in 10th place entering Saturday’s finals. New coach Rick DeMont has a significant challenge to restore Arizona to Busch levels.
Swimming short stuff: Arizona program struggling since Busch left for Team USA
28 Hansen top 100 dsp2--UA swim coach Frank Busch (cq-FRANK BUSCH) led the womens and men's UA swim teams to NCAA titles last spring. Then he had at least a dozen athletes make Olympic swim teams. He also traveled to Beijing as a U.S. assistant swim coach. It's been a great year for a guy who's been doing this a LONG time. So, besides appearing to walk on water, he is Greg Hansen's pick for top Southern Arizona sports figure in 2008. Photo by David Sanders/Arizona Daily Star. Mandatory credit: no mags, no sales. #143125.
