#1/#16 Arizona State @ #2/#11 Cal
- January 20, 2024
- Spieker Aquatics Complex
- Berkeley, California
- Live Results available on Meet Mobile: “California vs. Arizona State”
- SCY (25 yards)
- Livestream
Perhaps the most anticipated dual meet of the year is taking place today at 11:30am (PST), as the top-ranked ASU men will travel to take on #2 Cal in Berkeley. Cal won the 2023 NCAA title last March, and the ASU men finished in 2nd place. However, weeks prior, ASU walked away victorious at the PAC-12 Championships while Cal settled for the runner-up slot.
The Cal women are ranked 11th and the ASU women 16th, so two fun battles are slated to take place. At the PAC-12 Championships last year, the Cal women placed 3rd while the Sun Devil women took 5th overall. Come NCAAs, the Cal women checked-in at 11th while ASU placed 27th.
At this dual meet last year, ASU walked away with wins for both the men and the women. Notably, ASU wore technical racing suits while Cal chose to wear training suits. Both teams participated in meets yesterday, and the men took decisive wins. Cal defeated Arizona in both men’s and women’s team scoring, and the ASU men outscored Stanford. The ASU women fell to Stanford yesterday.
Both teams are wearing technical suits for today’s action.
WOMEN’S 200-YARD MEDLEY RELAY
- NCAA Record – 1:31.73, Virginia (G. Walsh, A. Walsh, L. Cuomo, K. Douglass) (2023)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 1:36.24
- 2024 NCAA ‘B’ Standard: 1:37.00
Top 3:
- Cal ‘A’ – 1:34.67
- Cal ‘B’ – 1:36.91
- ASU ‘A’ – 1:37.99
The Cal women opened up the day with a 1-2 punch in the 200 medley relay. The ‘A’-squad touched in 1:34.67, just off the 1:34.23 they produced at the Minnesota Invite a month ago. The winning quartet consisted of Isabelle Stadden (23.64), Jade Neser (26.39), Mia Kragh (22.60), and McKenna Stone (22.04).
Of note, Cal’s Stephanie Akakabota split 21.63 on the freestyle leg of the ‘C’ relay.
Cal ‘B’ touched in 1:36.91 while ASU rounded out the top three in 1:37.99.
MEN’S 200-YARD MEDLEY RELAY
- NCAA Record: 1:20.67 — NC State (K. Stokowski, M. Hunter, N. Korstanje, D. Curtiss) (2023)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 1:23.71
- 2024 NCAA ‘B’ Standard: 1:24.32
Top 3:
- Cal ‘A’ – 1:21.67
- ASU ‘A’ – 1:21.77
- Cal ‘B’ – 1:23.80
The men’s 200 medley relay came down to the finish, as Cal and ASU touched just 0.10 apart. Cal ultimately grabbed the win, touching in an NCAA-leading time of 1:21.67. ASU finished in 1:21.77, the 2nd fastest time recorded in the NCAA this season.
Bjorn Seeliger led things off for the Golden Bears, ripping a 20.22 backstroke split on the opening leg. Hubert Kos of ASU split 21.01 opening for the Sun Devils.
The teams were fairly even on the breaststroke, with Cal’s Liam Bell (23.17) narrowly out splitting ASU’s Leon Marchand (23.22).
Ilya Kharun nearly pulled ASU ahead of Cal at the 150 exchange, splitting a rapid 19.29 butterfly split. Jack Alexy anchored things home for Cal, splitting 18.44 on the freestyle leg. Jonny Kulow did his best in the closing meters, posting a swift 18.25 freestyle split to nearly overtake Alexy.
Notably, the time from Cal is over a second faster than the 1:22.87 recorded at the Minnesota Invite last month.
WOMEN’S 1000-YARD FREE
Top 3:
- Deniz Ertan (ASU) – 9:37.44
- Alexa Reyna (ASU) – 9:42.59
- Fanni Fabian (CAL) – 9:48.78
It was a 1-2 finish for the ASU women in the 1000 free. Deniz Ertan led the charge, touching in 9:37.44 to clear the field by over five seconds. She attacked the first half, splitting 4:46.46 through the first 500.Her teammate, Alexa Reyna, clocked 9:42.59 to secure 2nd.
Cal’s Fanni Fabian touched in 9:48.78 for 3rd place, with teammate Kathryn Hazle cracking the 10-minute barrier for 4th in 9:50.66.
MEN’S 1000-YARD FREE
Top 3:
- Zalan Sarkany (ASU) – 8:37.82
- Grady (ASU) – 9:01.77
- Meehan (CAL) – 9:01.82
ASU’s Zalan Sarkany stopped the clock in 8:37.82 to win the 1000, the 4th fastest time ever recorded in the event. Sarkany posted a swift 8:38.13 against Stanford yesterday, so he improves on that day old mark.
It was a 1-2 finish for ASU, as teammate Reece Grady touched in 9:01.77. Cal’s Jack Meehan placed 3rd today, finishing in 9:01.82.
WOMEN’S 200-YARD FREE
- NCAA Record: 1:39.10, Missy Franklin, Cal (2015)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:42.84
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 1:45.31
Top 3:
- Mia Motekaitis (CAL) – 1:44.05
- Leah Polonsky (CAL) – 1:44.06
- Ieva Maluka (ASU) – 1:45.02
Mia Motekaitis (1:44.05) and Leah Polonsky (1:44.06) of Cal went head-to-head the whole way, leading a 1-2 finish for the Golden Bears. ASU’s Ieva Makuka touched in 1:45.02 to secure third place points for the Sun Devils.
Ava Chavez (1:48.34) and Ella Mazurek (1:48.71) touched 4th and 5th for Cal, while Marte Lovberg of ASU touched in 1:48.76 for 56h.
MEN’S 200-YARD FREE
- NCAA Record: 1:29.15, Dean Farris, Harvard (2019)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:31.74
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 1:32.85
Top 3:
- Gabriel Jett (CAL) – 1:31.78
- Julian Hill (ASU) – 1:33.27
- Robin Hanson (CAL) – 1:33.33
Gabriel Jett used his strong underwaters to secure 200 free victory for Cal, touching in 1:31.78. Jett was 2nd in this event at the NCAA Championships last March, where he recorded a time of 1:30.74.
ASU’s Julian Hill touched in 1:33.27 for 2nd place, while Robin Hanson (1:33.33) of Cal touched just behind for 3rd.
WOMEN’S 100-YARD BACK
- NCAA Record: 48.26, Gretchen Walsh, Virginia (2023)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 50.88
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 52.36
Top 3:
- Isabelle Stadden (CAL) – 50.55
- Katrina Marty (ASU) – 53.45
- Isabella Riley (CAL) – 53.66
Isabelle Stadden put up a dominant performance in the 100 back, clearing the field by nearly three seconds. She touched in a final time of 50.55 to snag the win, with teammate Isabella Riley hitting 53.66 for 3rd.
ASU’s Katrina Marty touched in 53.45 to secure 2nd place for the Devils. Charli Brown of ASU and Morgan Brophy of Cal rounded out the top five, both posting swims in the 54-second range.
MEN’S 100-YARD BACK
- NCAA Record: 43.35, Luca Urlando, Georgia (2022)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 44.71
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 45.70
Top 3:
- Destin Lasco (CAL) – 44.80
- Hubert Kos (ASU) – 44.97
- Owen McDonald (ASU) – 46.43
Destin Lasco and Hubert Kos went head-to-head the whole way in the 100 back, with Lasco getting the better of Kos at the touch. Lasco touched in 44.80 to secure a Golden Bear win, while Kos dipped under the 45-second barrier for 2nd in 44.97.
Owen McDonald of ASU clocked a swift 46.43 to place 3rd today. Ziyad Saleem of Cal was 4th in 46.62 while Kai Crews clocked 46.71 for 5th. Five swimmers were :46 or faster in this race, showcasing one of the deepest 100 back dual meet fields ever.
WOMEN’S 100-YARD BREAST
- NCAA Record: 55.73, Lilly King, Indiana (2019)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 58.02
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 59.73
Top 3:
- Jade Neser (CAL) – 59.93
- Hannah Brunzell (CAL) – 1:00.30
- Zoe Summar (ASU) – 1:00.73
Jade Neser of Cal was the lone swimmer to dip under the elusive 1:00-minute barrier, hitting the wall in 59.93. She led a 1-2 finish for her team, as Hannah Brunzell touched in 1:00.30.
Zoe Summar of ASU broke 1:01 for 3rd, hitting the touchpad in 1:00.73. Three other swimmers broke the 1:02-barrier, with Alicia Henry of Cal leading the way in 1:01.23. Sun Devil teammates Ginger McMahon (1:01.44) and Iza Adame (1:01.73) placed 5th and 6th, respectively.
MEN’S 100-YARD BREAST
- NCAA Record: 49.69, Ian Finnerty, Indiana (2018)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 51.10
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 51.90
Top 3:
- Leon Marchand (ASU) – 51.37
- Liam Bell (CAL) – 51.70
- Jacob Soderlund (CAL) – 51.88
Liam Bell of Cal showcased strong opening speed in today’s 100 breast, maintaining the lead through the first 75 of the race. Leon Marchand‘s back half was ultimately too much to overcome, as Marchand stopped the clock in 51.37 to secure victory. Bell held on through the final 25 for 2nd, touching just ahead of teammate Jacob Soderlund. Bell touched in 51.70 to Soderlund’s swift 51.88 marker.
Three swimmers posted :52-second swims, with David Schlicht (52.10) and Andy Dobraznski (52.46) of ASU leading the way. Matthew Jensen of Cal clocked in at 52.68.
WOMEN’S 200-YARD FLY
- NCAA Record: 1:49.51 – Ella Eastin, Stanford (2018)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 1:52.86
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 1:55.92
Top 3:
- Lindsay Looney (ASU) – 1:53.51
- Rachel Klinker (CAL) – 1:53.77
- Lizzy Cook (CAL) – 1:55.84
2023 U.S. World Championship team member Lindsay Looney touched 1st in the women’s 200 fly, securing the first win of the day for the Sun Devil women. Rachel Klinker of Cal was with her the whole way, touching just 0.26 behind at the finish. Looney touched in 1:53.51 to Klinker’s 1:53.77.
Cal’s Lizzy Cook rounded out the top three in 1:55.84, the only other sub-1:58 time in the field.
MEN’S 200-YARD FLY
- NCAA Record: 1:37.35 – Jack Conger, Texas (2017)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 1:40.16
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 1:42.57
Top 3:
- Ilya Kharun (ASU) – 1:39.92
- Dare Rose (CAL) – 1:41.13
- Alexander Colson (ASU) – 1:41.55
After becoming the 2nd fastest performer of all-time in the event yesterday, ASU’s Ilya Kharun posted a time of 1:39.92 for the win today. While his time is two seconds slower than yesterday, it got the job done in a closely contested meet.
Cal’s Dare Rose touched in 1:41.13, while Sun Devil Alexander Colson (1:41.55) touched 3rd.
WOMEN’S 50-YARD FREE
- NCAA Record: 20.79 — Maggie MacNeil, Louisiana State (2023)/Gretchen Walsh, Virginia (2023)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 21.63
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 22.15
Top 3:
- Stephanie Akakabota (CAL) – 22.11
- Eloise Riley (CAL) – 22.19
- Mckenna Stone (CAL) – 22.45
After posting a swift 21.63 freestyle split on Cal’s ‘C’ medley relay, Stephanie Akakabota touched in 22.11 to snag the individual win. She led a 1-2-3 finish for the Golden Bears, as Eloise Riley (22.19) and Mckenna Stone (22.45) touched closely behind.
ASU’s Erin Milligan hit the wall in 4th place, posting a respectable effort of 22.62. Two additional swimmers cracked the 23-second barrier, Cal’s Emily Gantriis (22.63) and Daniela Cogswell (22.82).
MEN’S 50-YARD FREE
- NCAA Record: 17.63 — Caeleb Dressel, Florida (2018)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 18.82
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 19.21
Top 3:
- Bjorn Seeliger (CAL) – 18.92
- Jack Alexy (CAL) – 18.97
- Jonny Kulow (ASU) – 19.23
It was a Cal 1-2 finish in the men’s 50, with Bjorn Seeliger (18.92) and Jack Alexy (18.97) posting the only sub-19 performances. The swim from Seeliger represents a new pool record, and is faster than he has swum all season.
ASU touched in 3rd, 4th, and 5th, with Jonny Kulow leading the trio of Sun Devils. Kulow touched in 19.23, with teammates Jack Dolan (19.40) and Cam Peel (19.41) closely behind.
FIRST BREAK – SCORING UPDATE
- Women: Cal 86, ASU 45
- Men: Cal 69, ASU 62
WOMEN’S 100-YARD FREE
- NCAA Record: 45.56 – Simone Manuel, Stanford (2017)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 47.18
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 48.37
Top 3:
- Eloise Riley (CAL) – 48.47
- Erin Milligan (ASU) – 48.72
- Ieva Maluka (ASU) – 48.85
After a 2nd place finish in the 100 free about 15 minutes ago, Cal’s Eloise Riley touched in 48.47 to win the 100 free. She faced tough competition for the ASU duo of Erin Milligan (48.72) and Ieva Maluka (48.85), who placed 2nd and 3rd today.
A pair of Cal swimmers touched for 4th and 5th, with Emily Gantriis (49.39) finishing ahead of Ella Mazurek (49.58).
MEN’S 100-YARD FREE
- NCAA Record: 39.90 – Caeleb Dressel, Florida (2018)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 41.50
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 42.32
Top 3:
- Jack Alexy (CAL) – 41.40
- Bjorn Seeliger (CAL) – 41.41
- Jonny Kulow (ASU) – 42.11
Just like we saw in the 50 free, it was another 1-2 finish for Cal. This time the rolls were reversed, as Jack Alexy (41.40) touched for the win ahead of teammate Bjorn Seeliger (41.41). The swim by Alexy is a new pool record, and the fastest he has been at an in-season meet.
Jonny Kulow touched in 42.11 to secure 3rd for the Sun Devils, while Matthew Jensen (42.79) and Jack Dolan (42.84) rounded out the top five.
WOMEN’S 200-YARD BACK
- NCAA Record: 1:47.24 – Beata Nelson, Wisconsin (2019)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 1:50.50
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 1:53.34
Top 3:
- Isabelle Stadden (CAL) – 1:50.58
- Mia Motekaitis (CAL) – 1:54.71
- Charli Brown (ASU) – 1:58.84
Isabelle Stadden led a 1-2 finish for the Cal women, touching in 1:50.58. Teammate Mia Motekaitis, who won the 200 free earlier, hit the wall in 1:54.71 for 2nd place.
Charli Brown of ASU, who featured in the 100 back earlier, touched in 1:58.84 to grab 3rd place.
MEN’S 200-YARD BACK
- NCAA Record: 1:35.73 – Ryan Murphy, Cal (2016)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 1:39.13
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 1:40.62
Top 3:
- Hubert Kos (ASU) – 1:39.07
- Destin Lasco (CAL) – 1:39.29
- Keaton Jones (CAL) – 1:40.42
The 200 back one of many close races today, and it did not disappoint. Heading into the final 25, Hubert Kos and Destin Lasco were nearly completely even. Lasco had a slightly better turn, but Kos increased the tempo to maintain his lead at the finish. Kos touched in 1:39.07 to Lasco’s 1:39.29, both well off their personal bests.
This 200 back battle looked very similar to what we saw in the 100 back earlier, with the roles reversed at the touch.
Cal freshman Keaton Jones grabbed 3rd place, touching in 1:40.42 to nearly clip his best time. His teammate, Colby Mefford, touched in 1:40.95 for 4th place.
WOMEN’S 200-YARD BREAST
- NCAA Record: 2:01.29 – Kate Douglass, Virginia (2023)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 2:05.73
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 2:09.68
Top 3:
- Hannah Brunzell (CAL) – 2:09.70
- Jade Neser (CAL) – 2:11.54
- Abigail Herscu (CAL) – 2:12.21
The 200 breast saw another 1-2-3 sweep for the Golden Bears, as 22-year-old Hannah Brunzell led the way. She touched in a time of 2:09.70, not only securing the win but representing the only swimmer to break 2:10.
Golden Bear teammates Jade Neser (2:11.54) and Abigail Herscu (2:12.21) touched for 2nd and 3rd, with a pair of ASU swimmers touching just behind in the 2:12-range.
Those ASU swimmers were Zoe Summar (2:12.55) and Emma Gehlert (2:12.80), giving the Golden Bears a race the whole way.
MEN’S 200-YARD BREAST
- NCAA Record: 1:46.91 – Leon Marchand, Arizona State (2023)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 1:51.09
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 1:52.94
Top 3:
- Leon Marchand (ASU) – 1:51.80
- David Schlicht (ASU) – 1:53.06
- Jacob Soderlund (CAL) – 1:53.11
400 LCM IM world record holder Leon Marchand claimed his 2nd victory of the day in the 200 breast, stopping the clock in 1:51.80. His teammate David Schlicht touched about a second behind, finishing in 1:53.06. This 1-2 finish was pivotal for the Sun Devils, as the meet is separated by less than ten points at this time.
Cal’s Jacob Soderlund was in the race for 2nd the whole way, but was out touched by Schlicht at the wall. Soderlund’s final time of 1:53.11 checks-in as a new personal best.
WOMEN’S 500-YARD FREE
- NCAA Record: 4:24.06 — Katie Ledecky, Stanford (2017)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 4:37.89
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 4:41.09
Top 3:
- Rachel Klinker (CAL) – 4:41.67
- Deniz Ertan (ASU) – 4:41.77
- Leah Polonsky (CAL) – 4:44.78
After just missing a win in the 200 fly, Cal’s Rachel Klinker was on the other side of the touch this time. Klinker grabbed the win in 4:41.67, outpacing Deniz Ertan by just 0.10. Ertan, who opened the meet with a decisive win in the 1000 free, touched in 4:41.77 for 2nd.
Leah Polonsky of Cal finished her swim in 4:44.78, marking a 3rd place finish and valuable points for the Bears.
Fanni Fabian (4:48.30) and Kathryn Hazle (4:48.81) placed 4th and 5th for Cal, both cracking the 4:50-barrier.
MEN’S 500-YARD FREE
- NCAA Record: 4:06.32 — Kieran Smith, Florida (2020)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 4:10.74
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 4:14.36
Top 3:
- Zalan Sarkany (ASU) – 4:12.45
- Gabriel Jett (CAL) – 4:16.81
- Julian Hill (ASU) – 4:17.12
Zalan Sarkany is 4-for-4 in regard to personal best times over the past two days, with another best time here in this 500 free. His winning time of 4:12.45 checks-in as his first ever effort under the 4:13-barrier, and was good enough to win by over four seconds.
The 2023 PAC-12 champion in the event, Gabriel Jett, touched in 4:16.81 to grab 2nd place. Jett was out of contention for a top-2 finish until the very last 25, where he used a strong final turn to rocket himself to the wall ahead of Julian Hill. Hill, 23 from ASU, touched in 4:17.12 for 3rd.
WOMEN’S 100-YARD FLY
- NCAA Record: 48.46, Kate Douglass, Virginia (2023)
- Gretchen Walsh posted an unofficial 48.30 at the 2023 Tennessee Invite.
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 50.69
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 52.20
Top 3:
- Mia Kragh (CAL) – 51.30
- Mckenna Stone (CAL) – 52.07
- Morgan Brophy (CAL) – 52.27
Mia Kragh led a 1-2-3-4 finish for the Golden Bears, stopping the clock in a new best time of 51.30 in the 100 fly. Teammates Mckenna Stone (52.07), Morgan Brophy (52.27), and Lizzy Cook (52.52) followed behind, all posting 52-second efforts.
200 fly winner Lindsay Looney settled for 5th place, touching in a time of 52.85. Her two teammates, Jade Foelske (53.91) and Katrina Marty (54.27), placed 6th and 7th.
MEN’S 100-YARD FLY
- NCAA Record: 42.80, Caeleb Dressel, Florida (2018)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 44.64
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 45.57
Top 3:
- Ilya Kharun (ASU) – 44.54
- Dare Rose (CAL) – 45.15
- Alexander Colson (ASU) – 46.04
ASU freshman Ilya Kharun threw down in today’s 100 fly, taking a convincing win at a much needed time. He stopped the clock in 44.54, winning by over half a second. His teammate, Alexander Colson, hit the wall in 46.04 for 3rd place. With their swims, they move ASU into the lead by just one point heading into the final two events.
World Champion Dare Rose finished in 45.15 to secure a 2nd place finish for the Bears, marking his second individual 2nd place finish on the day.
Filip Senc-Samardzic of ASU placed 4th in 46.50, while a trio of Golden Bears placed 5th, 6th, and 7th.
WOMEN’S 200-YARD IM
- NCAA Record: 1:48.37 — Kate Douglass, Virginia (2023)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 1:53.66
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 1:56.90
Top 3:
- Leah Polonsky (CAL) – 1:55.67
- Ieva Maluka (ASU) – 1:56.06
- Charli Brown (ASU) – 1:59.40
PAC-12 champ Leah Polonsky showcased her versatility en route to the 200 IM win, touching in 1:55.67. Polonsky split 25.28/28.99/33.58/27.82 on each of the 50s, enough to touch 1st by about half a second.
ASU’s Ieva Maluka led at the 100 turn, as her 28.30 backstroke split was instrumental in her race. She made a great charge on the final 50 of freestyle, too, splitting 27.53. She ultimately finished 2nd in 1:56.06.
Maluka’s ASU teammate, Charli Brown, clocked in at 1:59.40 for 3rd place.
MEN’S 200-YARD IM
- NCAA Record: 1:36.34 — Léon Marchand, Arizona State (2023)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 1:41.03
- 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 1:43.14
Top 3:
- Leon Marchand (ASU) – 1:38.93
- Destin Lasco (CAL) – 1:41.72
- Hubert Kos (ASU) – 1:41.97
Leon Marchand clocked his second 1:38 200 IM swim in the past 24 hours, stopping the clock in 1:38.93 to claim victory. Marchand led from the 75 and never relinquished it. His 28.57 breaststroke split is what really separated him from the field.
Destin Lasco trailed Hubert Kos for the majority of the race, but rallied home with a 23.73 freestyle split to take 2nd. Hubert Kos finished in 1:41.97 for 3rd, securing valuable points for the Sun Devils.
Lasco and Kos went head-to-head in three individual events today, with each of them claiming one individual win.
WOMEN’S 200-YARD FREE RELAY
- NCAA Record: 1:23.87 — Virginia (K. Douglass, G. Walsh, L. Cuomo, A. Walsh) (2023)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 1:28.43
- 2024 NCAA ‘B’ Standard: 1:29.21
Top 3:
- Cal ‘A’ – 1:27.77
- Cal ‘B’ – 1:29.25
- ASU ‘A’ – 1:30.30
Cal claimed a 1-2 finish to end the day in the 200 free relay, with their ‘A’-team securing the win in 1:27.77. The winning quartet consisted of Eloise Riley (22.23), Stephanie Akakabota (22.06), Emily Gantriis (21.88), and Isabelle Stadden (21.60).
Cal ‘B’ touched in 1:29.25 for 2nd place tonight, highlighted by a split of 21.88 from Mckenna Stone on the third leg.
ASU touched in 1:30.30 to round out the top three, with Indigo Armon (22.23) being their fastest split.
MEN’S 200-YARD FREE RELAY
- NCAA Record: 1:13.35 — Florida (J. Liendo, A. Chaney, E. Friese, M. McDuff) (2023)
- 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 1:16.80
- 2024 NCAA ‘B’ Standard: 1:17.38
Top 3:
- ASU ‘A’ – 1:15.07
- Cal ‘A’ – 1:15.55
- Cal ‘B’ – 1:18.25
What looked to be a close race through the 150 turned out to be a clear victory for ASU. The winning quartet of Jack Dolan (19.32), Ilya Kharun (18.65), Cam Peel (18.63), and Jonny Kulow (18.47) sprinted to victory in 1:15.07.
The Cal ‘A’ team of Jack Alexy (18.99), Bjorn Seeliger (18.58), Liam Bell (19.07), and Robin Hanson (18.91) hit the touchpad in a time of 1:15.55.
The Cal ‘B’ team hit the wall in 1:18.25, ensuring Cal tied the meet with ASU when diving is factored in.
FINAL TEAM SCORES
- Women: Cal 212 – Asu 88
- Men: Cal 150 – Asu 150 *TIE*
Would love to see Leon try something different this year like the 500 Fr – 4:03 is possible.
This aged like fine wine
Cal men weren’t rested or shaved. And many were crazy sick or just recovering from being really sick following winter training. They were suited which is the only difference from last year. They looked great and should be great at NCAAs and at the most important meet, US and other individual country Olympic trials. For many of the swimmers that is what matters, not necessarily a dual meet in jnauary. But it should be a lot of fun in March when these two teams battle again at NCAAs.
The recap of men’s 200 yards medley relay was wrong:” Ilya Kharun pulled ASU slightly ahead of Cal at the 150 exchange, splitting a rapid 19.29 butterfly split. Jack Alexy anchored things home for Cal, splitting 18.44 on the freestyle leg. Jonny Kulow did his best in the closing meters, posting a swift 18.25 freestyle split to nearly overtake Alexy”. If ASU was slightly ahead of Cal at 150 and Kulow (ASU) was faster than Alexy (Cal) in the free leg how Cal won?
If Alexy’s and Kulow’s splits are correct, at the 150 Cal was ahead of ASU and Kulow gained but not enough..
I don’t get the downvotes… this is true
According to the touch pads Cal was 0.3 ahead going into the free leg. Kulow just had better reaction time than Alexy.
Wow, that medley relay was the highest quality relay we’ve ever seen in a dual meet!
For those interested the breakdown of the scoring, the scoring with just swim events was ASU-143 CAL-119. Cal has a diver who may possibly score in the diving (3m) but thats it.
I was referring to scoring in diving at the NCAA meet in the above comment.
How the tables have turned when Cal’s opponents are the ones counting swimming points.
An unreal and historic meet. Finishing in a tie is just… perfect.
Most surprising/clutch swimmer of the men’s meet has to be Seeliger. He’s been up and down. Right now it’s looking all up. 20.22 50back is pretty close to as fast as any human has ever done it, and is faster than he was at NCs last year. And he did it in January.
At the Minnesota invitationals this year, Seeliger just flew back from Sweden racing in the SCM Swedish Championships a week earlier. That’s why he was much faster here than at invitationals.
Last year they did the 400 IM instead of the 200 IM at this meet, where Marchand broke the NCAA record. It would’ve been nice to see where Marchand is compared to last year. Anyone know why there was a different event lineup today?
Marchand went 1:48.82 in the 200 breast at this meet last year. 1:51.80 is certainly still very good, but I wonder why he was 3 seconds slower compared to this point last year? In both today’s and yesterday’s 200 breast it looked like he mistimed a few turns, but I’m not sure that explains a 3 second difference.
As swim swam previously reported, he was recently sick and had minor surgery, so maybe he’s just still… Read more »
Meh.
I wouldn’t think about this too much.
It’s January and it’s Olympics year.
There is absolutely only one target for him this year: PARIS. Anything else is just race training for him.
he can stop yards training and switch to meter and he’ll still have incredible NCAA.
I completely agree that Paris should be his focus this year. Olympics in his home country are way more important, and he could probably barely rest and still win 3 events at NCAAs. I’m not trying to overthink it, but was curious to get others’ thoughts.
I’m too agree, 4*200 free, 4* 100 med men and mixt-100 br 200 br- 200 fly, 200 et 400 med, 8 medals, see the program of PARIS olympic game 🤔🤔 it will be very difficult but possible. 🇫🇷🙄
No way Leon medals in the 100BR. France also will not medal in the 4 x 200free relay
“He did it because no one told him that it was not possible ” with the idea of Mark Twain, for Marco too
😉👍
I doubt Marchand’s ONLY target is Paris in a year when winning NCAA’s is a realistic goal for him the first time since he’s at ASU. A goal which he is on record saying is very important to him. Paris is obviously the most important, but neither Pac12’s nor NCAA’s is going to be “race training” especially because SCY is so different from LCM. We’ve seen time and time again that great swimmers can have more than one great/focus meet in a year (Milak/Popovici in 2022 at Worlds/Euros, Summer McIntosh in 2022 at Worlds/Commies). Marchand is easily that caliber of a swimmer.
You’re correct that Marchand has said he really wants to win the NCAA team title. He also said he thinks he can go faster than he went at 2023 NCAA champs. Specifically, he mentioned a 3:25 400 IM as I recall.
It was not cold and rainy last year in Tempe.
Agreed, it looked pretty sunny at this meet last year.
I watched more of the events from yesterday and realized just how rainy and windy it was. It’s impressive the meet was as fast as it was given the conditions.
Swimming the 200 IM instead of the 400 is what made this meet so interesting. Cal doesn’t have many heavy-hitters in the 400; it would have been ASU 1-2-3. And dual meets don’t have the 400 as a default anyway.
Fair enough, I wasn’t sure of the typical duel meet schedule. It’s interesting that they have the 1000 free and 500 free, but not the 200 and 400 IM.
Bob Bowman is the most overrated coach of all time. Dude builds super team and got lucky meeting Phelps at a young age. Give me Eddie Reese anyday
I think he’s had a mixed career in a way, but certainly on the “legendary” side. The only real blemish is his time with Michigan as their head coach. Other than that, Phelps or not, he’s a top coach. And frankly every athlete and every coach needs some luck. He’s had some, but he did well with it.
Psh nah…Jalen is correct…bro is super sus fr fr with super team just falling in his lap
I actually think his time at Michigan was fine. He didn’t come close to winning NCAAs, but his Michigan teams were about as good as they had been under Urbanchek. I know they won in 1995, but that was kind of an exception. They had historically been a team that was good at longer races under Urbanchek and that remained true under Bowman.
Bowman has inherited some talented swimmers like Marchand/Kos but they have improved tremendously under him from promising swimmers who could make noise in the future into world champions. Other coaches have done less with similar level talent heading into college
You have to give him credit for recruiting them as well. That’s part of the game. And he can recruit well because he has shown he can develop elite talent. This discussion is silly lol, he’s obviously one of the best coaches of the 21st century
He didn’t inherit Marchand. He recruited him.
There are a large number of pros, who can choose to train anywhere, who disagree with you as they have decided to do their Olympic training with Bob Bowman at ASU.
Jalen T is a troll, it’s best not to engage.