The Army men swam to an NCAA qualifying time in the 400 medley relay during a time trial on Friday evening, touching in a 3:04.10. Sophomore Johnny Crush led off the relay in a 44.10, a swim that ties him as the 16th fastest performer in history.
The 2026 NCAA qualifying time for the men’s 400 medley relay sits at a 3:04.96, a time that only 18 relays have been under this season. Army’s fastest time this season before today was a 3:08.78 that they swam at midseason. Army now sits at #13 in the NCAA this season in the men’s 400 medley relay.
Split Comparison
| Swimmer | Time Trial | Midseason |
| Johnny Crush | 44.1 | 46.56 |
| Kohen Rankin | 50.9 | 52.18 |
| Daniel Verdolaga | 46.73 | 46.69 |
| Thomas Hadji | 42.37 | 43.35 |
| 3:04.10 | 3:08.78 |
Crush was the biggest difference today compared to midseason as his time of a 44.10 makes him tied for the 16th fastest performer in history. He also now moves up to #3 in the NCAA this season after his previous season best of a 44.72 had him sit at #9. Crush was 8th in the 100 back at the 2025 NCAA Championships in a 45.07 in finals.
Kohen Rankin swam the breaststroke leg of the relay and, like Crush, also competed individually at the 2025 NCAA Championships as he swam in prelims of the 100 and 200 breaststrokes. Rankin blasted a 50.90 today, although his flat start best is a 50.76 which he swam against during the Army-Navy dual meet in December.
The Army men are set to compete in the Patriot League Championships that begin Wednesday, February 18th. They will have the chance to improve upon their seed time there. They also will look to defend their team title after they defeated Navy last year.
what teams were at this meet? No results are posted on the Army Swimming website.
NYU
Not a bad split by the Kohen Gadol, either.
Can anyone explain: If we got rid of the concept of A/B cuts, and just have a single qualifying time – then this was NOT an A-cut time by Army (bc that doesn’t exist). So doesn’t this swim just mean that Army is now eligible – and perhaps likely bc they’re #13 in the country — but is the headline correct that Army already earned an actual invite?
It’s somewhat confusing, but nothing about the relay qualification changed. There are still qualifying (A) and provisional (B) standards. Army’s relay made a qualifying standard.
Love seeing this! Nice swim, fellas 🫡
Whoah, Crush throwing it down!