Leon Marchand Leads Arizona State Men to First Pac-12 Title in Program History

2023 MEN’S PAC-12 SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Arizona State men won their first Pac-12 Championship in program history on Saturday night, ending a five-year streak of team victories by Cal.

The Sun Devils led wire to wire throughout the four-day meet, finishing with 897.5 points compared to Cal’s 819. ASU sophomore Leon Marchand took home Swimmer of the Meet honors for the second year in a row, breaking the NCAA record in the 200 breast (1:47.67) en route to his third individual title of the week (200 IM, 400 IM). Marchand was also a member of the winning 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay, and 800 free relay teams.

FINAL TEAM SCORES

  1. ASU – 897.5
  2. Cal – 819
  3. Stanford – 615.5
  4. Arizona – 323
  5. USC – 314.5
  6. Utah – 300.5

ASU totaled nine wins this week while lowering eight program records along the way.

The night got off to a good start when freshman Zalan Sarkany became the Sun Devils’ first Pac-12 champion in the 1650 free since CJ Nuess in 2008. Sarkany clocked a 14:41.65, a new school record and the eighth-fastest time in the NCAA this season. ASU teammate Daniel Matheson joined him on the podium with a runner-up finish in 14:48.52, which would have been a school record until tonight.

Other Sun Devil individual wins included Grant House in the 200 free and Jack Dolan in the 50 free. ASU also secured team victories in the 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay, and 800 free relay.

ASU Champions This Week

  • Léon Marchand, 200 breast, 400 IM, 200 IM, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay 800 free relay
  • Zalan Sarkany, 1650 free
  • Grant House, 200 free, 800 free relay, 400 medley relay
  • Jack Dolan, 50 free, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay
  • Max McCusker, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay
  • Jonny Kulow, 200 medley relay
  • Patrick Sammon, 800 free relay
  • Julian Hill, 800 free relay

Last year, ASU placed third at Pac-12s, recording the program’s first top-3 finish since 1995. Since head coach Bob Bowman took over the program prior to the 2015-16 season, the Sun Devils have steadily climbed the conference standings.

ASU’s Postseason Finishes Under Bowman (Pac-12/NCAA)

  • 2023: 1st/TBD
  • 2022: 3rd/6th
  • 2021: DNC (entire program redshirted due to COVID-19)
  • 2020: 4th/no NCAA due to COVID-19
  • 2019: 4th/21st
  • 2018: 4th/20th
  • 2017: 4th/14th
  • 2016: 5th/44th(T)

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Patriot
1 year ago

Will Grant House be back next year to run it back?

Asher Green
1 year ago

Fork’em, Devils! Congratulations to Coach Bowman and the staff. ASU has always been a sleeping giant.

Alex Wilson
1 year ago

I think what sums it up best is freshman Johnny Kulow’s remarks after the first relay. “Bob and Herb (the coaches) are working magic in Tempe!” Certainly the French team and many other European and pro swimmers agree! I believe that ASU has the strongest IM group in the nation today!

Suiii
1 year ago

L+Ratio+Oui Oui Baguette

Taa
1 year ago

Proof Bowman is overrated watch them get 6th in a few weeks

ReneDescartes
1 year ago

Holy cow, the last thing I’d ever want is Bob Bowman flashing those fingers at me.

Alex Wilson
1 year ago

What won it for ASU the great depth in young swimmers that ASU has developed, many of which are only freshmen. A team wins meets with not just a few stars,but with all the 3rd and below swimmers who contribute additional points!

Andrew
1 year ago

Cryyyyy on you bearsss

About Riley Overend

Riley is an associate editor interested in the stories taking place outside of the pool just as much as the drama between the lane lines. A 2019 graduate of Boston College, he arrived at SwimSwam in April of 2022 after three years as a sports reporter and sports editor at newspapers …

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