Destin Lasco

View Current photo via Courtesy of Jack Spitser

Destin Lasco is an American swimmer who swims for the University of California, Berkeley. He is ann NCAA Champion and 20x All-American.

High School

During his high school campaign, Lasco was a 3-time New Jersey Swim Athlete of the Year. He was a 23-time high school All-American and 8-time national high school record holder (scm). He was a member of the USA National Jr Team and competed at the 2018 Jr Pan Pacific Championships, where he placed 1st in the 100 back and 4×100 free relay and 9th in the 50 and 100 free.

Lasco was ranked #3 in SwimSwam’s Top 20 NCAA Ranks for the class of 2020 and #5 in the Re-rank of that class. On January 19, 2019, Lasco announced his verbal commitment to swim for Cal.

College (California)

2020-2021

At his first Pac-12 championships, Lasco made his presence in the NCAA known. He swam the 200 free-100 back double on day 3 of the meet, placing 6th in the 200 free (1:33.73) and winning the 100 back (45.30) just minutes later. He really turned heads when led a historic 1-2-3-4-5-6 finish for Cal in the 200 back in the final night, taking the win in 1:38.13. Lasco also swam on the winning 800 and 400 free relays.

At his first NCAA championships, he was a huge contributor for the bears, finishing 2nd in the 200 back (1:35.99) as well as 3rd in the 200 IM (1:40.01) and 100 back (44.49). He also contributed to Cal’s winning 400 free relay and 2nd place 800 free and 400 medley relays.

2021-2022

Lasco continued to improve during his sophomore year. At the Pac-12 Championships, he finished 4th in the 200 IM (1:41.70), 2nd in the 100 back (45.11), and successfully defended his title in the 200 back (1:38.81).

At the NCAA Championships, Lasco finished 2nd in the 200 IM (1:38.21), 4th in the 100 back (44.36), and won his first NCAA title in the 200 back, taking the win in 1:37.71. He contributed key legs on Cal’s winning 400 medley relay, 2nd place 200 free relay, 3rd place 400 free relay, and 4th place 800 free relay. This led to Cal winning their first team title since 2019, and Lasco’s first with the team.

2022-2023

At the 2023 Pac-12 Championships, Lasco finished 4th in the 200 IM (1:40.60), won his first conference title in the 100 back (44.57), and 3-peated in the 200 back, narrowly defeating his teammate Hugo Gonzalez 1:36.91 to 1:37.19.

At the 2023 NCAA Championships, Lasco was on fire. In the 200 IM, he finished 2nd once again behind Leon Marchand, clocking 1:38.10 to break Caeleb Dressel’s 5-year American record. He finished 3rd in the 100 back final in 43.94, his 43.93 prelim swim marking his first time under the 44-second barrier. He defended his title in the 200 back, clocking his first PR in the event in 2 seasons (1:35.87). He also swam on Cal’s 2nd place 200 and 400 free relays, 3rd place 800 free relay, and 5th place 400 medley relay. Cal repeated as NCAA Champions, Lasco’s 2nd team title with the Bears.

National/International Meets

2023 U.S. International Team Trials (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Lasco started his meet with a bang. More known for his backstroke, Lasco was 3rd in the speedy prelims of the 100 free with a 47.87. The time took almost a second off his best: a 48.75 at 2022 U.S. Nationals. Lasco added a bit after the speedy prelims but still found himself in 4th with a 48.00 to earn a relay spot at his first World Championships.

Finally fulfilling the promise he has shown in the short pool, Lasco qualified to swim the 200 back at worlds alongside training partner Ryan Murphy. Lasco was 3rd in prelims with a 1:56.80 before dropping to a 1:55.63 in the final for 2nd. The swim was the 4th fastest in the world and a best for Lasco.

2023 World Aquatics Championships (Fukuoka, Japan)

On the prelims 400 free relay, Lasco split a 47.95. The finals squad took bronze, netting Lasco a medal. In his sole event: the 200 back, Lasco was solid in prelims with a 1:57.84 for 8th. In semis, he was well off his best form with a 1:59.18 to finish last in semis. His best time would have gotten 4th in the final.

International Medals

Place Event Year Meet
Bronze 400 Freestyle Relay 2023 World Championships

Best Times

Course Event Time Date Meet
scy 200 Free 1:33.28 02/28/21 2021 Pac-12 Championships
Houston, Texas
scy 100 Back 43.93 03/24/23 2023 NCAA Championships
Minneapolis, Minnesota
scy 200 Back 1:35.87 03/25/23 2023 NCAA Championships
Minneapolis, Minnesota
scy 200 IM 1:38.10 03/23/23 2023 NCAA Championships
Minneapolis, Minnesota
lcm 100 Free 47.87 06/27/23 2023 International Team Trials
Indianapolis, Indiana
lcm 200 Back 1:55.63 06/28/23 2023 International Team Trials
Indianapolis, Indiana
Destin Lasco (photo: Jack Spitser) Destin Lasco (photo: Jack Spitser) Hugo Gonzalez Destin Lasco (photo: Jack Spitser) Destin Lasco (photo: Jack Spitser) Destin Lasco Reece Whitley Trenton Julian Bjorn Seeliger (photo: Jack Spitser) Destin Lasco (photo: Jack Spitser) Destin Lasco (photo: Jack Spitser)