Breaking News: NCAA All-American Andrew Taylor is taking a step back from competitive swimming. This announcement has sent ripples through the swimming community, leaving fans and fellow athletes wondering what's next. Coach Herbie Behm of Arizona State shared the news with SwimSwam, citing "personal reasons" for Taylor's departure. It's a poignant reminder that even the most accomplished athletes face challenges beyond the pool.
Taylor, a celebrated swimmer and SEC Champion, transferred to Arizona State this past fall after spending two seasons at the University of Florida. Coach Behm also expressed his sentiments, stating, "Andrew’s one of the best people I’ve ever met and we were lucky to have him at ASU for the time we did." This speaks volumes about Taylor's character and the impact he has on those around him.
During his time at Arizona State in the fall semester, Taylor showcased his talent at the CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge in November. He achieved a season-best time of 4:19.03 in the 500 free during a dual meet against Virginia. Additionally, he clocked in at 15:01.41 in the 1650 free at the Tennessee Invite, which occurred the same weekend as the Dual Meet Challenge.
Before joining Arizona State, Taylor's achievements were already noteworthy. He secured the SEC title in the 1650 free as a freshman in 2024, with a remarkable time of 14:38.41. He then went on to claim 3rd place in the same event at the 2024 NCAA Championships, finishing with a time of 14:37.80. However, his sophomore season brought challenges, including injuries that prevented him from competing at the NCAAs. He concluded his sophomore year at SECs, where he finished 20th in the 1650 free with a time of 15:01.05.
And this is the part most people miss... Taylor was the leading 1650 freestyler for Arizona State this season, based on his performance at the Tennessee Invite. Now, Reece Grady holds the top spot on the roster in the 1650 free, with a time of 15:10.55. To qualify for the 2025 NCAA Championships in the 1650 free, swimmers needed to achieve a time of 14:48.88. Daniel Matheson, who is now part of the Arizona State coaching staff, was the sole swimmer representing the Sun Devils in the 1650 free at the 2025 NCAAs, finishing 10th with a time of 14:35.58.
This news leaves us with many questions. What does the future hold for Andrew Taylor? Will he return to competitive swimming? What impact will his absence have on Arizona State's team?
What are your thoughts? Share your opinions in the comments below. Do you think personal reasons should always be respected in sports? Do you think he will come back? Let's discuss!
About Anya Pelshaw
Anya has been a part of SwimSwam since June 2021, contributing as both a writer and social media coordinator. She has been present at the Women's NCAA Championships from 2022 to 2025, providing coverage and managing social media for SwimSwam. Additionally, she attended the 2023 US Summer Nationals and the 2024 European…
