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Turkish world junior champion Sanberk Oktar will join the USC men’s swimming and diving program this upcoming spring instead of next fall as initially expected.
The Trojans announced Oktar’s early arrival on Wednesday, which marked the beginning of the signing period for all Division I and Division II sports outside of basketball and football.
The versatile 19-year-old enjoyed his international breakout at the European Junior Championships last summer, capturing a gold medal in the 200 IM (2:00.63). At the World Junior Championships a month later, Oktar claimed the 200 IM title in 1:59.89, taking down the Turkish national record along the way.
He no longer holds the Turkish record in the 200 IM — that was reclaimed by Berke Saka (1:58.20) — but Oktar set the national standard in the 400 IM with a 4:20.98 at the Turkish Winter Championships last December.
Best LCM Times (Converted to SCY)
- 200 IM – 1:59.89 (1:45.12)
- 400 IM – 4:20.98 (3:49.35)
- 200 free – 1:49.39 (1:35.66)
- 100 fly – 54.27 (47.63)
Oktar’s converted times would have scored in the C finals of the 200 IM, and 400 IM, 200 free, and 100 fly at the 2023 Pac-12 Championships. If he can adjust to short course quickly, USC should have enough firepower to improve upon its 5th-place finish from last season’s conference championships.
The Trojan men visited Arizona for a dual meet on Friday and fell, 155-145, but they have showed potential this fall with Polish newcomer Krzysztof Chmielewski posting the nation-leading time in the 1000 free (8:47.53) and his twin, Michal Chmielewski. The last time they finished in the top half of the Pac-12, they were also led by an influx of international talent (Santo Condorelli and Robert Glinta in 2018). Fellow Turkish standout Merve Tuncel was slated to join USC this fall, but she told SwimSwam that there was “a problem with admission” that derailed those plans.
Lea Maurer is entering her second year as head coach of the Trojans’ combined program. Oktar’s first Pac-12 Championships will be his last as USC will leave for the Big Ten next summer.
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200 IM – 1:59.89 (1:45.12)
Absolutely hilarious
Funniest thing ever.
I don’t understand why people even try to convert SCY to LCM and vice versa. It just doesn’t work.
Came for the conversions, was not disappointed.
1:59 is a 1:45. lol.
I would complain but it’s also USC and they will do absolutely nothing come NCAAs
Andrew stop wasting your time commenting on online forums. You’re making your mother concerned.
Banger.
USC seems to be doing a good job recruiting overseas
It’s been said several times on this forum in the past, but the USC men will never be a reliable contender for high overall NCAA placement until they learn how to establish a consistent pipeline of recruitment within the U.S. It’s easy to hurl full rides at foreign swimmers, especially when they may not be as privy to the recent scandals that’ve plagued the program. The key lies in bringing in top-tier American recruits that have prior yards experience and value the degree as much as the athletic experience.
ASU and Marchand especially has kinda worked out?
But so has ASU and Jonny Kulow, Grant house, and other domestic talent
ASU has Bob Bowman.
Who has had more people get slower and quit than score at NCAA’s. AKA – the entire girl’s team.