NCAA All-American and SEC Champion Andrew Taylor has stepped away from swimming for “personal reasons,” Arizona State head coach Herbie Behm said to SwimSwam. Taylor transferred to Arizona State this past fall after spending two seasons at Florida.
Behm also told SwimSwam, “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.”
Taylor competed with Arizona State during the fall semester which included the CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge in November. There he swam a season best 4:19.03 in the 500 free during the dual meet against Virginia. He also swam a 15:01.41 in the 1650 free at the Tennessee Invite, the same weekend as the Dual Meet Challenge.
Prior to arriving at Arizona State, Taylor most notably won the SEC title in the 1650 free as a freshman in 2024 posting a 14:38.41. He went on to finish 3rd in the event at the 2024 NCAA Championships in a 14:37.80. He battled injuries and did not make NCAAs during his sophomore season last year, finishing his season at SECs with a 15:01.05 1650 free for 20th.
Taylor was the top 1650 freestyler for Arizona State so far this season with his time from the Tennessee Invite. Reece Grady remains the top 1650 freestyler on the roster now with a 15:10.55. It took a 14:48.88 to make the 2025 NCAA Championships in the 1650 free. Daniel Matheson was the only swimmer who competed in the 1650 free at 2025 NCAAs for the Sun Devils as he was 10th in a 14:35.58. Matheson graduated this past spring and is now a member of the Arizona State coaching staff.
Swimming is a small part of ones’ life – Best wishes to this young man. Coach Behm continues to impress with his insight on sport and people.
Maybe if FL hadn’t injured him…
Great kid going through a lot and you feel the need to interject nonsense
Unfortunate, watching him win SECs his freshman year was awesome. Wish him the best in whatever is next for him