2024 Men’s Big Ten Championships: Day 3 Finals Live Recap

2024 MEN’S BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Dates: February 28 – March 2, 2024
• Location: McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion – Columbus, Ohio
• Defending champions: Indiana (2x)
• SCY (25 yards)
• Championship Central
• Live Results
• Live Video
• Day 1 Finals Live Recap
• Day 2 Prelims Live Recap | Day 2 Finals Live Recap
• Day 3 Prelims Live Recap

Friday night’s Big Ten schedule is quite busy, featuring finals of the 100 fly, 400 IM, 200 free, 100 breast, 100 back, 3-meter diving, and 200 free relay.

Indiana senior Tomer Frankel led all qualifiers in the 100 butterfly earlier today, hitting the wall in 44.70. Three other swimmers dipped into the 44-second realm, led by Michigan sophomore Tyler Ray (44.77), who touched ahead of teammate Gal Cohen Groumi (44.80) and Indiana’s Finn Brooks (44.84). Brooks headlines the 100 breast final later in the session, where he qualified 1st (51.41) ahead of Penn State sophomore Mariano Lazzerini (51.52).

Frankel will enter the water shortly after tonight’s 100 fly, as he is seeded 3rd in the 200 free. Teammate Rafael Miroslaw led the field during prelims, posting a time of 1:32.56. Indiana had another top qualifier in the form of freshman Toby Barnett, who cleared the 400 IM field by over two seconds during the preliminaries.

The 100 backstroke is shaping up to be a great race, with the defending NCAA champion, Brendan Burns of Indiana, qualifying 2nd. He was outpaced this morning by Penn State sophomore Cooper Morley, who dropped 1.34 seconds off his entry time to touch in 44.74. Burns’ time of 45.34 was enough for 2nd this morning by 0.01, as Michigan sophomore Jack Wilkening posted a swift 45.35 marker to advance in 3rd.

MEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – FINALS

• NCAA Record: 42.80 – Caeleb Dressel, Florida (2018)
• Big Ten Record: 44.04 – Tomer Frankel, Indiana (2023)
• Big Ten Championship Record: 44.50 – Gal Groumi, Michigan (2023)
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 44.64
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 45.57

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Tomer Frankel (IU) – 44.32 *Championship Record* (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
2. Gal Cohen Groumi (MICH) – 44.60 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
3. Tyler Ray (MICH) – 44.91
4. Davide Harabagiu (MINN) – 45.19
5. Victor Baganha (PSU) – 45.43
6. Finn Brooks (IU) – 45.44
7. Charles Gustafson (OSU) – 45.89
8. Colin Geer (MICH) – 46.04

Indiana senior Tomer Frankel held his top seed from the prelims, winning the B1G Ten title in 44.32. He established an early lead, splitting 20.43 on the opening 50 before closing in 23.89. The defending champion, Michigan’s Gal Cohen Groumi, who also won yesterday’s 200 IM, touched in 44.60 for runner-up status. He clocked 44.50 en route to the win last year.

Michigan’s Tyler Ray continued his great season with a bronze medal performance, breaking 45 seconds for the second time today. He clocked a massive best time of 44.77 during the prelims and hit the wall in 44.91 tonight. His best time prior to today was 45.84, which he put on the books at the Georgia Invite in November.

Minnesota freshmen Davide Harabagiu posted a school record (45.19) to place 4th overall. Penn State’s Victor Baganha (45.43) and Indiana’s Finn Brooks (45.44), with Brooks’ 45.44 being 0.60 shy of his 44.84 prelim swim. Brooks is the top seed in the 100 breast final, which is scheduled to take place about 40 minutes after this race. Charles Gustafson (OSU) and Colin Geer (MICH) rounded out the A-final with 7th and 8th place finishes.

B-final action featured a nail-biting race between Michigan’s Bence Szabados and Ohio State’s William Fentress. They touched in a pair of 46.0s, with senior Szabados (46.05) getting the touch by 0.04 over sophomore Fentress (46.09). Szabados’ 21.10 opening split gave him an early lead over Fentress, and it was ultimately enough to hold on for the win.

After a decisive 50 freestyle win on Thursday night, Wisconsin sophomore Taiko Torepe-Ormsby dominated the 100 fly C-final. He stopped the clock in 46.37, which undercuts his prelim time of 47.20 by nearly a full second. He entered the meet with a best time of 47.72, so he took well over a second off that mark today. Penn State freshman Caden Davis also dipped under 47-seconds, hitting the wall in 46.91. It was a best time for Davis too, representing his first time ever under 47 seconds.

MEN’S 400 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY – FINALS

• NCAA Record: 3:28.82 – Leon Marchand, Arizona State (2023)
• Big Ten Record: 3:35.98 – Tyler Clary, Michigan (2009)
• Big Ten Championship Record: 3:38.03 – Tyler Clary, Michigan (2009)
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 3:38.90
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 3:42.99

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Dominik Mark Torok (WISC) – 3:41.69
2. Toby Barnett (IU) – 3:42.49
3. Diego Nosack (NU) – 3:42.69
4. Tristan Jankovics (OSU) – 3:43.04
5. Sam Campbell (OSU) – 3:43.95
6. Eitan Ben-Shitrit (MICH) – 3:44.06
7. William Christenson (MINN) – 3:44.38
8. Andrew Reiter (IU) – 3:46.62

The men’s 400 IM did not disappoint, with the top four finishing within 1.5 seconds of each other.

Wisconsin sophomore Dominik Mark Torok bagged another Badger win, finishing in a time of 3:41.69. He won the event last year with his best time of 3:39.96, indicating he may have more in store for next month’s NCAA Championships.

Indiana freshman Toby Barnett was 2nd overall, touching the wall in 3:42.49. He posted a time of 3:41.37 to qualify 1st earlier in the day, which would’ve been fast enough to win the event tonight. Nonetheless, he entered the meet with a time of 3:42.54, and he undercut that mark twice today.

Diego Nosack, a freshman at Northwestern, touched 3rd with a new best time (3:42.69). He had a close race with Ohio State’s Tristan Jankovics heading into the final 50, with Jankovics (3:43.04) ultimately finishing 4th. Jankovics has been as fast as 3:40.89 this season, which is faster than tonight’s winning effort. Jankovics’ sophomore teammate, Sam Campbell, finished 5th in 3:43.95. Eitan Ben-Shitrit (Michigan), William Christenson (Minnesota), and Andrew Reiter (Indiana) placed 6th through 8th.

Ohio State junior Alex Metzler won the B-final, hitting the wall in a time of 3:44.95. It’s a new best time for the junior, eclipsing his best time from prelims (3:46.97) by over two seconds. He entered the meet with a best time of 3:47.68, and was 5th in yesterday’s 500 free final (4:15.78).

Toni Slavica, a freshman at Penn State, dropped nearly four seconds from his prelim time to win the C-final. He posted a final time of 3:48.98, with freshman teammate Alexander Karahalis (3:49.95) touching 2nd for a 1-2 punch.

MEN’S 200 FREESTYLE – FINALS

• NCAA Record: 1:29.15 – Dean Farris, Harvard (2019)
• Big Ten Record: 1:29.63 – Blake Pieroni, Indiana (2018)
• Big Ten Championship Record: 1:31.14 – Blake Pieroni, Indiana (2018)
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:31.74
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 1:32.85

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Tomas Navikonis (OSU) – 1:32.01
2. Rafael Miroslaw (IU) – 1:32.03
3. Tomer Frankel (IU) – 1:32.78
4. Bar Soloveychik (MINN) – 1:33.66
5. Christopher Morris (WISC) – 1:33.77
6. Nico Butera (WISC) – 1:35.27
7. Alex Axon (OSU) – 1:35.34
8. Luukas Vainio (WISC) – 1:35.40

One of the closest races of championship season unfolded in tonight’s 200 free. Touching just 0.02 apart at the finish, Ohio State’s Tomas Navikonis and Indiana’s Rafael Miroslaw battled the whole way. Miroslaw took the race out stronger, leading through the first 175. Navikonis blasted a 23.10 closing 50 split to Miroslaw’s 23.43, just clipping Miroslaw at the finish. Navikonis won in 1:32.01, improving upon his 4th place finish (1:33.60) from last year. Miroslaw was 3rd in this event last year and won the B1G Ten Title in 2021, so he now adds a 2nd place finish to his impressive resume.

Splits Comparison:

Indiana’s Tomer Frankel (1:32.78) was 3rd tonight, about 30 minutes after winning the 100 fly. Minnesota’s Bar Soloveychik (1:33.66) continued his great meet, finishing in 4th place. He was slightly off his school record performance (1:33.37) from his day one relay lead-off, but still scored 26 points for the Gophers. Wisconsin junior Christopher Morris (1:33.77) was the only other swimmer under 1:35 in the championship final, claiming 5th place.

Morris’ teammate, Nico Butera, touched in 1:35.37 for 6th overall. OSU’s Alex Axon (1:35.34) was 7th, backing up his 9th place performance in the 400 IM just minutes earlier. Luukas Vainio was 8th for Wisconsin, marking the third Badger in this A-final.

Michigan sophomore Logan Zucker (1:34.72) claimed victory in the B-final, with Minnesota’s Lovro Serdarevic (1:36.54) grabbing the C-final win just minutes earlier.

MEN’S 100 BREASTSTROKE – FINALS

• NCAA Record: 49.69 – Ian Finnerty, Indiana (2018)
• Big Ten Record: 49.69 – Ian Finnerty, Indiana (2018)
• Big Ten Championship Record: 50.19 – Max McHugh, Minnesota (2021)
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 51.10
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 51.90

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Mariano Lazzerini (PSU) – 51.08 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
2. Finn Brooks (IU) – 51.30
3. Jassen Yep (IU) – 51.50
4. Josh Matheny (IU) – 51.69
5. Maxwell Reich (IU) – 52.18
6. Truman teDuits (WISC) – 52.62
7. Joseph Rudd (MINN) – 52.78
8. Brendan Fitzpatrick (MICH) – 52.82

Penn State’s Mariano Lazzerini outpaced a plethora of Indiana breaststrokers in the championship final, grabbing the win in a new best time of 51.08. He trailed by well over half a second after the first 50, but posted a sub-27 closing 50 split (26.96) to secure victory.

Ray Looze’s breaststroke crew swept 2nd through 5th, with Finn Brooks leading the way. Brooks was 6th earlier in the 100 fly, and before this year, never focused on this 100 breast at the collegiate level. Brooks had a significant lead at the halfway turn (23.58), representing the only swimmer under the 24-second barrier. He posted a 27.72 on the closing 50, holding on for 2nd place. Teammates Jassen Yep (51.50), Josh Matheny (51.69), and Maxwell Reich (52.18) completed the Hoosier 2-3-4-5 sweep.

Matheny has been under 51 seconds in the past, so look for him next month at the NCAA Championships. He represented Team USA at the 2023 Fukuoka World Championships, finishing 7th in the 100 LCM breast and 8th in the 200 LCM breast.

Wisconsin senior Truman teDuits (52.62) led a trio of 52 swims for 6th, with Minnesota’s Joseph Rudd (52.78) and Michigan’s Brendan Fitzpatrick (52.82) finishing closely behind.

After placing 4th in Thursday’s 50 free final, Wisconsin senior Andrew Benson secured the B-final win. Hitting the wall in 52.81, he touched 0.04 ahead of Ohio State junior Karl Helmuth (52.85). Graysen Bernard (Northwestern) and Kaiser Neverman (Minnesota) placed 3rd and 4th in the B-final, also posting sub-53 swims. OSU’s William Regan clocked 53.41 en route to victory in the C-final.

MEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE  – FINALS

• NCAA Record: 43.35 – Luca Urlando, Georgia (2022)
• Big Ten Record: 43.61 – Brendan Burns, Indiana (2023)
• Big Ten Championship Record: 44.31 – Brendan Burns, Indiana (2022)
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 44.71
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 45.70

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Brendan Burns (IU) – 44.62 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
2. Cooper Morley (PSU) – 45.27
3. Jack Wilkening (MICH) – 45.57
4. Kai Van Westering (IU) – 45.89
5. Luke Barr (IU) – 46.01
6. Gavin Wight (IU) – 46.09
7. Braden Samuels (PUR) – 46.11
8. Jacque Wenger (MICH) – 46.16

The 2023 NCAA Champion staked his claim on the 100 back B1G Ten title, winning in dominant fashion. Clearing the field by over six tenths, Indiana senior Brendan Burns hit the wall in 44.62. He was the only swimmer to break 45 seconds in tonight’s final, with PSU’s Cooper Morley (45.27) touching 2nd and Michigan’s Jack Wilkening (45.57) finishing 3rd.  Of note, Morley posted a big best time of 44.74 during today’s prelims, but that time would’ve still earned him 2nd place tonight.

Indiana secured big points with 3rd, 4th, and 5th place finishes. Kai Van Westering posted a sub-46 swim of 45.89, narrowly touching ahead of teammates Luke Barr (46.01) and Gavin Wight (46.09). 4th through 8th were all in a line with 5-yards to go, with Braden Samuels (46.11) of Purdue and Michigan’s Jacque Wenger (46.16) getting to the wall in 7th and 8th.

Northwestern freshman David Gerchik checked-in at 46.55 to win the B-final. Penn State sophomore Matthew Bittner led two sub-47 swims in the C-final, touching in 46.85 to Jake Newmark‘s (Wisconsin) 46.88.

MEN’s 3-METER DIVING — FINALS

• Big Ten Championship Record: 540.55 points – Steele Johnson, Purdue (2018)

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Carson Tyler (IU) – 453.90 points
2. Quentin Henninger (IU) – 436.10 points
3. Jordan Rzepka (PUR) – 435.30 points
4. Lyle Yost (OSU) – 435.25 points
5. Yutong Wong (MINN) – 416.15 points
6. Maxwell Weinrich (IU) – 392.05 points
7. Clayton Chaplin (OSU) – 339.15 points
8. Kylie Flory (OSU) – 328.75 points

It was a 1-2 punch for Indiana in 3-meter diving. The junior duo of Carson Tyler (453.90 points) and Quentin Henninger (436.10 points) led the field, with Purdue’s Jordan Rzepka (435.30 points) outscoring Ohio State’s Lyle Yost (435.25 points) by just 0.05 points for bronze. Tyler was 2nd in yesterday’s 1-meter diving event, so this marks his 2nd podium finish of the meet.

Minnesota freshman Yutong Wang, won scored gold in yesterday’s 1-meter event, was 5th tonight with 416.15 points.

MEN’S 200 FREESTYLE RELAY — FINALS

• NCAA Record: 1:13.35 — Florida (2023)
• Big Ten Record: 1:15.28 — Ohio State (2022)
• Big Ten Championship Record: 1:15.28 — Ohio State (2022)
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:16.80

Top 8 Finishers:

1. University of Wisconsin – 1:15.35 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
2. University of Michigan – 1:16.15 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
3. Indiana University – 1:16.19 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
4. Penn State University – 1:17.24
5. Ohio State University – 1:17.43
6. Purdue University – 1:17.80
7. University of Minnesota – 1:17.86
8. Northwestern University – 1:18.55

Wisconsin was unstoppable in the men’s 200 freestyle relay. 50 free champion Taiko Torepe-Ormsby got things started with an 18.90 opening split, his second sub-19 within the past two days. Andrew Benson (18.49), Ben Wiegand (18.87), and Christopher Morris (19.09) combined for a final time of 1:15.35, scaring the B1G Ten record. The Badgers have showcased some strong sprint free depth over the past few days in Columbus, with three swimmers splitting under 19-seconds tonight (and a 19.0 to narrowly make it four).

Michigan and Indiana had a tight battle for the silver medal, touching 0.04 apart at the finish. Michigan led with 50 to go, but Indiana’s Rafael Miroslaw split 18.80 on the anchor leg, almost catching the Wolverines. Jack Wilkening held him off though, splitting 19.00 to to secure silver. Bence Szabados (19.12), Gal Cohen Groumi (19.20), and Tyler Ray (18.83) comprised the other three legs for Michigan, while Finn Brooks (19.42), Mikkel Lee (18.90), and Gavin Wight (19.07) joined Miroslaw on Indiana’s bronze medal relay.

Penn State (1:17.24) narrowly touched ahead of Ohio State (1:17.43) for 4th, with Purdue (1:17.80), Minnesota (1:17.86), and Northwestern (1:18.55) rounding out the field.

Team Scores (After Day Three)

1. Indiana University — 996 points
2. Ohio State University — 820 points
3. University of Michigan — 770.5 points
4. University of Wisconsin — 734.5 points
5. University of Minnesota — 560.5 points
6. Penn State University — 498 points
7. Northwestern University — 469 points
8. Purdue University — 427.5 points