2024 Grand Canyon vs. Arizona State
- January 6, 2024
- Tempe, Arizona
- SCY (25 yards)
- Team Scores
- Men: ASU 232, GCU 66
- Women: ASU 247, GCU 53
- Meet Results
Grand Canyon University made the 20 mile trip to Arizona State for a dual meet on Saturday in Tempe, and ASU came out on top for both the men and the women.
The first individual event of the day, the 1650 freestyle, saw Hungarian sophomore Zalan Sarkany make his season debut for the Sun Devils. Sarkany opted to train in Hungary for the duration of the fall, which ultimately paid off as he qualified for the Paris Olympics last month.
On Saturday, Sarkany took the win in the event by nearly a full minute, stopping the clock in a time of 14:28.09 to destroy his own ASU school record from last season. His previous best (and school record) rested at the 14:41.65 that he produced at the 2023 PAC-12 Championships, meaning he took over 13 seconds off that mark today. Additionally, his split of 8:46.42 at the 1,000-yard mark represents a new school record in that event, too. The previous record stood at the 8:49.31 he clocked in February of last year.
The swim from Sarkany was not only significant because of his school record and large time drop, but his time today would have won the NCAA title in the event last season. Last year, Will Gallant of NC State clocked 14:28.94 en route to the title, so Sarkany’s time today would have cleared the field by nearly a second last year. Notably, defending champion Gallant will not be present at NCAAs this season to defend his title, as he opted to take a redshirt year and train under Mark Schubert in the lead-up to Olympic Trials.
Sarkany secured another victory on the day, stopping the clock in 4:15.02 in the 500 free for another personal best time.
ASU sophomore Deniz Ertan took the wins in both distance events on the women’s side of things, as she stopped the clock in 16:05.81 in the 1650 before touching in 4:44.28 for the win in the 500 free.
Butterfly phenom Ilya Kharun was in the water today, but focused on freestyle for his individual events. He was victorious in the 50 free, where he touched in 19.45 to touch ahead of senior teammate Cam Peel (19.79). He later contested the 100 free, where he touched in 42.64 for 2nd place behind teammate Jack Dolan (42.62).
Sophomore Jonny Kulow took the win in the 100 fly, stopping the clock in 47.08 to lead a 1-2-3 finish for the Sun Devils. Senior Alexander Colson (47.62) and freshman Filip Senc-Samardzic (47.67) followed in close pursuit to post three sub-48 performances on the day for the Sun Devils. Kulow also placed 4th in the 100 free earlier in the meet, clocking 43.48.
Multi-event NCAA record holder (and 400 LCM IM world record holder) Leon Marchand took two individual wins on the day, with the first being in the 200 freestyle. Marchand touched in 1:32.64 to take the win, besting teammate Hubert Kos by just under a second (1:33.59). He later took the victory in the 100 breast, touching in 53.02 to touch out teammate John Heaphy (53.23) by just over two tenths.
Kos was back in the water for the 100 back just one event later, where he scored another 2nd place finish on the day. He touched the wall in 47.69, just behind junior Jack Wadsworth (47.68). Kos notably led off the victorious ASU ‘C’ medley relay to open the meet in a time of 20.91 on the backstroke leg, which represents a new best time for the sophomore. ASU split up their usual ‘A’ relay swimmers throughout their four relays (and separated each relay by classes), with Marchand splitting 23.16 on the breast leg on the ‘B’ (junior) relay and Kharun posting a sizzling 19.60 butterfly split on the ‘D’ (freshmen) relay.
ASU junior Erin Milligan put on a show in the freestyle events today, as she swept the 50, 100, and 200 distances. She first scored a victory in the 200, touching in 1:46.61. She later took the 50 (22.87) and 100 (49.30) wins to round out her individual campaign on the day, before leading off the ASU ‘B’ 400 free relay in 49.29 – faster than her individual swim earlier in the day (and on her fourth swim of the session).
Senior Lindsay Looney, who represented Team USA in the final of the 200 butterfly at the Fukuoka World Championships this summer, took both butterfly victories in Tempe. She took the 200 in 1:54.21 before taking the 100 at the end of the session in 53.10.
Other Event Winners:
- ASU sophomore Owen McDonald took two wins on the day, taking the 200 fly (1:45.00) and 200 IM (1:45.10) in near identical times.
- Jonathan Rom, a sophomore at Grand Canyon, touched in 1:55.66 to secure the 200 breast victory.
- The ASU ‘B’ relay touched 1st in the 400 freestyle relay, as Leon Marchand (42.39), Christian Osterndorf (43.70), Tiago Behar (43.12), and Patrick Sammon (41.95) combined for a time of 2:51.16.
- ASU sophomore Ieva Maluka touched in 53.52 to win the 100 back.
- Zoe Summar, a sophomore at ASU, touched in 1:01.34 to take the 100 breast.
- Athena Clayson, in her first season at ASU after transferring from Fresno State, touched in 1:58.38 to clear the field in the 200 backstroke.
- Freshman Sonia Vaishnani of ASU touched out teammate Summar by 0.08 to win the 200 IM, finishing in 2:02.12.
- The ASU ‘B’ team of Erin Milligan (49.29), Ieva Maluka (48.93), Charli Brown (49.59), and Indigo Armon (49.75) hit the wall in 3:17.56 for a convincing win in the 400 free relay.
The actual ASU “A” relays would have been 1:22.4 and 2:48, if you add up the fastest splits. At a dual meet in January.
Also, nice PB in the 200 free for Hubi. I wonder what his ceiling is in that event; 1:31 high -1:32 low possibly, considering how off he was in the 100 back (granted, that was right after the 200 free). Could get a spot in the 800 free relay. And a 20.91 in the 50 back – I wonder if he could take the backstroke leg from Dolan in the 200 medley A relay (then again, given he is not a sprinter it’s not guaranteed he can be significantly faster at all, and maybe they are better off resting him – but with Marchand, Kharun and Kulow on the other legs, the backstroke leg is maybe the weakest for ASU… Read more »
To get onto the 4×200, Hubi will have to be in top 4 among Marchand 1:28.42R, Sammon 1:31.82, Hill 1:31.74, Owen McDonald 1:32.41, Behar 1:33.27, Dolan 1:33.29(2020) PBs. Things can happen that only the coaches see, but it looks like, if PBs are used, Kos’ best shot at a relay slot is likely the 4×100 Medley (:44.37 Backstroke, trails only Zach Poti, 2020 ASU school record:44.14)
Dolan has been :20.61 50 SCY Backstroke; he’s also got a faster 50 free PB than Kulow – :18.86 to Kulow’s :19.00.
There’s also the possibility of putting Leon on the 4×50 Free (eliminating a back-to-back double on the opening night}, instead of the 4×50 Medley, depending on his margin over Heaphy in… Read more »
The 400 medley relay is a no-brainer. He is the fastest 100 backstroker at ASU right now, and it doesn’t have a direct conflict for him. The 800 freestyle relay was just an idea I’ve had because he dropped time compared to the fall invite, where he was rested, at a random dual meet, where he obviously wasn’t, and was one second slower than Leon, whose best is a 1:28 relay split (obviously that’s not a really good ground for comparison but still). I don’t think it really even fits in his schedule.
Schedule-wise, Hubi’s potential relays include 4×50 Medley Relay (Bk) and 4×200 Free Relay; both are on the opening night(Wednesday); they are the only events the first day.
50 Back: Dolan :20.61Pc B, :20.88SB; Kos :20.91PB
200 Free: Marchand 1:28.42PB-R,;1:32.64SB
Hill 1:31.74PB; 1:32.06SB
Sammon 1:31.82PB; 1:32.65SB
McDonald 1:32.41PB
Behar 1:33.27PB
Kos 1:33.57PB
Kulow 1:33.67 (Unlikely as he will probably be anchoring 200 MR
Hubi swam no relays in the ’23 conference meet, but on the first night he swam a time trial 100 SCY butterfly; apparently data was needed for the decision on whether to put him in the 400 IM or 100 Fly, with the IM being chosen.
Thursday evening: 4×100… Read more »
I don’t think he could possibly be shut out of the 400 medley relay. The 200 medley relay is a possibility but Dolan looks like the first choice so far. Again, I’ve mentioned the 800 as a possibility after a significant PB, but not something I think is likely to happen.
He did lead off the A relay against Stanford a few hours ago in the 200 medley relay, so maybe that’s gonna happen as well.
The men’s relays were broken down by class year: https://x.com/sirherb_the3rd/status/1743645038540644752?s=61&t=OWz7JOfqbgYNfi4xGDiAlQ
Kinda cool for senior day and a good way to get some competition
Asu is going to smash Cal. The main difference being Kharun turning into a monster and Sarkany coming back a la Cal January additions.
Cal not developing their freshman (per usual) ultimately sealed their fate since Hugo can’t come back for a 16th year of eligibility
Most of Sarkany’s improvements did appear to come as a result of training with the Veszprém distance group in Hungary this fall, so his triumphant return to ASU is remarkably Cal-like xd. The distance program at ASU is possibly not as strong as the sprint and mid-distance.
sprinters win NCAAs. one distance guy isnt gonna be the difference in a team title race
Fair point but Cal having nobody in the 1650 vs ASU having a contender + a few depth pieces in that event is a huge difference.
When two teams are this close a 20+ scoring distance guy could make all the difference (especially since Cal is weak in distance right now).
Unless that guy scores 35 individual points….
You’re sort of acting like the season is done already, Andrew. Come on now, let ’em finish before you judge the Cal freshmen.
How did the Cal freshman do at midseasons? Absolutely putrid
I think that’s wrong, but why does that matter anyway? Those are training meets. Few people – maybe you’re the only one? – will look back and think “wow Cal killed it in March, but had a bad season because they swam slow in December”
As one who personally observed Zalan Sarkany in meets last year and at the meet yesterday, he is significantly stronger this year. I did not see any significant change in stroke or form throughout the mile. He was swimming like he could have done a second mile at the same pace if needed.
He did PB in the 500 in the same session…I wonder how fast his 500 would have been if he didn’t have the mile earlier. 4:11-4:12 maybe.
It’s already been said that NCs this year will be one for the ages, but in particular the last day is going to be WILD.
ASU will be reasonable-to-strong favourites to win all individual events except the 100 free (although still could have 1 (or 2?) in the A final there), and an outside shot at the relay (theirs is shaping up to be better than last year’s 3rd place; that said, arguably so is Florida’s).
Cal’s is still poised to crescendo its depth into the last day. It’s a little less clear where there 2 back (after Lasco) and 2 breast depth will come from, but their history of outperforming on the last day should not be… Read more »
Disagree. ASU will easily win the meet.
Also, I don’t see any possibility of Alexy beating Liendo.
Fair. I am an unapologetic Bowman fan, and I want ASU to win. But I also like & respect Cal, who has been underestimated before, so I am inclined to hedge.
There is a 2.5-to-3-standard deviation scenario where ASU comes in to the last day already with a lead, then Kulow gets the surprise touch in the 100 on top of the other wins, contributing to some kind of a maroon and gold bloodbath.
Also not to be ignored are the credible last-day spoilers, e.g., Crooks, Hayes…(others?)
In any case Cal + ASU face off at the end of the month, which could give us more info…or more questions. All contributing to a very exciting 3-ish months!
ASU is going to dominate the dual, just like last year. It won’t provide any indication of anything other than that ASU and Cal have taken similar paths to last year.
I think the main info we will get is regarding where Cal is vs. a similar time last year, and whether any of the developing/younger guys are looking like they are on a trajectory.
Agreed, but the Pac-12, where all but the very top guys (Lasco, Alexy, Kos, Marchand, Kharun, etc.) will have to be resting to make invited times for NCAAs, will provide a bundle of useful comparative information, much as they did last year.
The PAC12s, which will be the last one since the conference is disbanding, may also provide some information.
A Seeliger legacy choke is loading if Cal/ASU race is close and they need a big showing from Alexy/Seeliger. Seeliger gets in his own head for finals and chokes.
You can teach speed and technique, but not the killer instinct that he so obviously lacks
NCST/Indiana, have strong pieces, in those events, too… could play spoiler by knocking out an ASU/CAL guy
Daaaaave – I really liked your “Pairs of training buddies” take.
I suspect Keaton Jones (1:56.9 LCM) and Colby Mefford(1:38.83 PB) will make a backstroke training trio with Lasco. Louser has been a 1:50.+ a few times for Cal in the 200 breast but may need some help from a sprinter like Liam Bell steppng up(Bell 11th in 2022).
I think you can call Sarkany/Matheson(15:01.95 LCM) another ASU last day training buddy duo, as well as 200 breast duo of Marchand-Schlicht(currently #4). Sammon (:41.98/1:31.82) has A heat possibilities in the sprint freestyles along with Kulow/Dolan.
Also, remember the last day of the meet is Saturday, not Sunday
Swimming the 1650 and 500 in the same session of the same meet is just cruel. I thought they did the 1000 vs 1650 in NCAA duel meets?
With his background in Hungarian swimming, he is used to “torture” 🙂
The standard dual meet distance event is the 1000, but the coaches have the authority to agree to do a 1650 instead, which is apparently what Bowman and Schaffer did.
Clearly Bowman wanted Sarkany to get his NCAA invite cut out of the way. What makes this really impressive is Sarkany’s ability to so quickly translate his fall meters training into a yards payoff. He scored just 11 pts at NCAAs last year (8th in 1650).
Way to early 2024 NCAA predictions for him:
1650: 14.24 (1st)(20 pts)
500: 4.09+ (5th)(15pts)
400 IM: 3.38+ (9+pts)
Total NCAA pts: 44+
His SCM best in the 1500 is 14:23 so my hot take is something starting with 14:1 in the mile. The lower end of that 500 is very optimistic, his LCM 400 best is a 3:47.
Sarkany only swam the 1650 and not the 500. The choice of whether to swim the 1000 or 1650 at dual meet is up to the team coaches. ASU wanted to swim the 1650 as an opportunity to get an NCAA 1650 time for newly returned Zalan Sarkany. I think we will all agree it paid off.
He did swim the 500, he won it by 7 seconds and put up a new personal best of 4:15.02.
Correct! My error and I was at the meet so no excuse! I plea early writing before coffee kicked in!
If I had a nickel every time Sarkany broke the ASU school record in the mile at a double meet right after arriving from Hungary I would have two nickels which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice.
No, snailSpace. You’d only have one nickel, arising from this last weekend.
Last year he broke the school 1000 SCY record by Scott Brackett, which had stood 38 years, in each of his first three duals(1/20, 1/21, 2/4) after coming over from Hungary.
At that point he had no times that would be invited to NCAAs. On 2/10/23, he went, as the only ASU representative, to the 2023 UNLV First Chance Invite to swim a 1650 trying to get an NCAA invited swim out of the way before Pac-12s. He broke the school record in the 1650, a decidedly fresher 1 year old mark set at 2022 Pac-12 by Gordon Mason at 14:50.70, with a 14:49.68. He then… Read more »
Oh yeah, my mistake. Although I think I deserve some slack because dual meet/first chance invite is tom-ate-o/tom-ah-to and it was not right after arriving but a few weeks later.