Ultra Swim Swimmer of the Month is a recurring SwimSwam feature shedding light on a U.S.-based swimmer who has proven themselves over the past month. As with any item of recognition, Swimmer of the Month is a subjective exercise meant to highlight one athlete whose work holds noteworthy context – perhaps a swimmer who was visibly outperforming other swimmers over the month, or one whose accomplishments slipped through the cracks among other high-profile swims. If your favorite athlete wasn’t selected, feel free to respectfully recognize them in our comment section.
The list of athletes worthy of earning Ultra Swimmer of the Month honors for March is lengthy, but Destin Lasco earns the nod after another incredible NCAA Championship performance that saw him hit two big milestones.
The Cal senior had come close to winning the 200 IM national title and taking hold of the all-time record in the 200 back in previous seasons, but finally got the job done this year.
In a race that was expected to be incredibly close, Lasco ran away with the 200 IM title in a time of 1:37.91, breaking his own American Record of 1:38.12 set last season while joining Leon Marchand in the sub-1:38 club.
In the 200 back, Lasco had been knocking on the door of Ryan Murphy‘s NCAA, U.S. Open and American Record of 1:35.73 since his freshman year, having gone 1:35.99 at the 2021 NCAAs and then going 1:35.87 last year.
Murphy’s mark had been on the books since 2016, but at the 2024 Pac-12s, with Lasco absent while racing at the Westmont Pro Swim, Arizona State’s Hubert Kos took it down (the NCAA and U.S. Open marks) with a swim of 1:35.69.
But at NCAAs, it was all Lasco.
Sitting fifth at the halfway mark, he unleashed a third 50 split of 23.89—comparable to third 50 splits in the 200 free final—to take the lead and he extended a slight advantage on Kos coming home, touching in 1:35.37 to take hold of all the records for the first time.
Lasco also had clutch relay swims for the Golden Bears, highlighted by his 1:29.60 leg on the 800 free relay that won the title and smashed the all-time record in 6:02.26.
The 22-year-old also anchored in 18.57 for Cal’s runner-up 200 free relay, led off in 44.13 on the runner-up 400 medley relay, and split 41.91 swimming second on the third-place 400 free relay.
In the 100 back, he had a disappointing final by his standards, finishing 5th in 44.22 after pacing the prelims in 44.00.
Nonetheless, he had an incredible performance on the big stage yet again, this time in his senior year. Whether or not it’s his NCAA swan song remains to be seen, as Lasco will have the option to exercise a fifth year of eligibility.
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Destin has had an extremely successful and consistent college career for the CAL Bears. Hoping he can make the transition to the big boy pool now and be a major contributor for Team USA this summer.
Mickey Mouse swimmer of the month. More like salesman of the month after needing 3 dolphin kicks per wall to barely beat a depleted 2 IM field, adding in 1 back finals, and adding over a second on 4 FRR costing cal the race (Chokeeliger actually performed there after selling his 1 free individually)
I’m sorry that you’re so miserable.
For the record, not only is Destin incredibly talented and hard working but he might just be one of the most gracious swimmers I have ever met. In fact, its actually hard to believe someone could be so good and yet still so humble. Destin is a class act and deserves any accolades that come his way. Looking forward to seeing what he can do this summer and beyond.
Anyone who has been in contact with Destin Lasco, one way or another, could consider himself lucky.
You are the unlucky one!
Braden why aren’t you up in arms about this? A award given by swimswam, who’s qualification is “a swimmer who was visibly outperforming other swimmers over the month, or one whose accomplishments slipped through the cracks among other high-profile swims”. Leon clearly outperformed everyone else in the swimming world this month, and I also don’t think Destin Lasco slipped through the cracks as he’s arguably the most covered athlete on the second best team in the NCAA. If this was D3, you’d be writing entire article about how you hate the whole division and this shows its stupid. C’mon swimswam, at least wait more than a week before just completely contradicting yourself.
ultra swimmer of the month has never been just for the actual best swimmer of the month. It’s always just a random high performing swimmer that month
“Ultra Swim Swimmer of the Month is a recurring SwimSwam feature shedding light on a U.S.-based swimmer who has proven themselves over the past month.” The article said at the beginning…
Why no Gretchen Walsh then
They usually spread minor awards out to swimmers who have not already just received a more major award. Gretchen just got NCAA swimmer of the year already
Leon is a US based swimmer
you’re getting downvoted but i want you to know i’m standing in solidarity with you being opposed to braden’s whiny, holier-than-thou rants. lol
why do you care so much – it’s just a nice article highlighting a good performance. Nowhere did it claim it was the best performance.
“If your favorite athlete wasn’t selected, feel free to respectfully recognize them in our comment section.”
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Cate Campbell who broke 100 free WR in 2016 didn’t get the Ultra swimmer of the week, which went to a rather obscure swimmer.
Ultra swimmer is never about the most impressive performance.
Just read the first paragraph of the post. SS explained clearly the selection procedure such as, “… SwimSwam feature shedding light on a U.S.-based swimmer who has proven themselves over the past month. ”
1. I believe Leon M. is from another country.
2. I don’t think that SS had to do a deep search for a swimmer with 3 American Records from a single meet.
3. The award was not really given for a swim performance only. Part of the award was based ( I could be wrong) on individual character, team player, and overall great contribution to his team, NCAA, and the college swimming itself.
4. Destin Lasco deserves to be covered after another… Read more »