Reigning Big 12 Champion Danny Berlitz Dropping IM and Breaststroke Events Due to Groin Injury

2025 Big 12 Championship

• February 25 – March 1, 2025
• Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center — Federal Way, Wash.
• SCY (25 Yards)
• Start Times: prelims – 10 am PT/finals – 6 pm PT
• Championship Central
• Psych Sheet
• Livestream: ESPN+
• Live Results

The Big 12 will see a new champion in the men’s 400 IM as reigning champion Danny Berlitz told SwimSwam that he will not be contesting any IM or breaststroke events this week. The West Virginia University star suffered a grade 2 groin strain during the team’s winter training trip, impacting his ability to swim breaststroke.

According to Berlitz, he is taking the week as an opportunity to race and have fun. “Just having fun and tryna swim fast enjoying my last college meet,” Berlitz said in a comment to SwimSwam.

Despite the injury, Berlitz still opened the 2025 Big 12 Championships with a best time in the 200 freestyle leading off WVU’s 800 freestyle relay in a time of 1:34.93. His previous best time stood at a 1:35.55 from last year’s meet. With Berlitz’s assistance, the WVU men placed 6th in the event in a time of 6:24.88.

In addition to the relays, Berlitz is also entered in the 50 freestyle, 400 IM, 200 freestyle, and 200 backstroke at the championships. However, due to his comments its likely that the 400 IM will be the event he drops out of that lineup.

At last year’s Big 12 Championships, Berlitz became the first WVU swimmer to win the men’s 400 IM, swimming a time of 3:43.02. He also placed 5th in the 200 IM (1:43.94). In December, he also won the US Open title in the 400 IM, dropping a 3:46.51.