#1 Arizona State vs. #2 Cal - Dual Meet Live Recap (original) (raw)

#1/#16 Arizona State @ #2/#11 Cal

Perhaps the most anticipated dual meet of the year is taking place today at 11:30am (PST), as the top-ranked ASU men will travel to take on #2 Cal in Berkeley. Cal won the 2023 NCAA title last March, and the ASU men finished in 2nd place. However, weeks prior, ASU walked away victorious at the PAC-12 Championships while Cal settled for the runner-up slot.

The Cal women are ranked 11th and the ASU women 16th, so two fun battles are slated to take place. At the PAC-12 Championships last year, the Cal women placed 3rd while the Sun Devil women took 5th overall. Come NCAAs, the Cal women checked-in at 11th while ASU placed 27th.

At this dual meet last year, ASU walked away with wins for both the men and the women. Notably, ASU wore technical racing suits while Cal chose to wear training suits. Both teams participated in meets yesterday, and the men took decisive wins. Cal defeated Arizona in both men’s and women’s team scoring, and the ASU men outscored Stanford. The ASU women fell to Stanford yesterday.

Both teams are wearing technical suits for today’s action.

WOMEN’S 200-YARD MEDLEY RELAY

Top 3:

  1. Cal ‘A’ – 1:34.67
  2. Cal ‘B’ – 1:36.91
  3. ASU ‘A’ – 1:37.99

The Cal women opened up the day with a 1-2 punch in the 200 medley relay. The ‘A’-squad touched in 1:34.67, just off the 1:34.23 they produced at the Minnesota Invite a month ago. The winning quartet consisted of Isabelle Stadden (23.64), Jade Neser (26.39), Mia Kragh (22.60), and McKenna Stone (22.04).

Of note, Cal’s Stephanie Akakabota split 21.63 on the freestyle leg of the ‘C’ relay.

Cal ‘B’ touched in 1:36.91 while ASU rounded out the top three in 1:37.99.

MEN’S 200-YARD MEDLEY RELAY

Top 3:

  1. Cal ‘A’ – 1:21.67
  2. ASU ‘A’ – 1:21.77
  3. Cal ‘B’ – 1:23.80

The men’s 200 medley relay came down to the finish, as Cal and ASU touched just 0.10 apart. Cal ultimately grabbed the win, touching in an NCAA-leading time of 1:21.67. ASU finished in 1:21.77, the 2nd fastest time recorded in the NCAA this season.

Bjorn Seeliger led things off for the Golden Bears, ripping a 20.22 backstroke split on the opening leg. Hubert Kos of ASU split 21.01 opening for the Sun Devils.

The teams were fairly even on the breaststroke, with Cal’s Liam Bell (23.17) narrowly out splitting ASU’s Leon Marchand (23.22).

Ilya Kharun nearly pulled ASU ahead of Cal at the 150 exchange, splitting a rapid 19.29 butterfly split. Jack Alexy anchored things home for Cal, splitting 18.44 on the freestyle leg. Jonny Kulow did his best in the closing meters, posting a swift 18.25 freestyle split to nearly overtake Alexy.

Notably, the time from Cal is over a second faster than the 1:22.87 recorded at the Minnesota Invite last month.

WOMEN’S 1000-YARD FREE

Top 3:

  1. Deniz Ertan (ASU) – 9:37.44
  2. Alexa Reyna (ASU) – 9:42.59
  3. Fanni Fabian (CAL) – 9:48.78

It was a 1-2 finish for the ASU women in the 1000 free. Deniz Ertan led the charge, touching in 9:37.44 to clear the field by over five seconds. She attacked the first half, splitting 4:46.46 through the first 500.Her teammate, Alexa Reyna, clocked 9:42.59 to secure 2nd.

Cal’s Fanni Fabian touched in 9:48.78 for 3rd place, with teammate Kathryn Hazle cracking the 10-minute barrier for 4th in 9:50.66.

MEN’S 1000-YARD FREE

Top 3:

  1. Zalan Sarkany (ASU) – 8:37.82
  2. Grady (ASU) – 9:01.77
  3. Meehan (CAL) – 9:01.82

ASU’s Zalan Sarkany stopped the clock in 8:37.82 to win the 1000, the 4th fastest time ever recorded in the event. Sarkany posted a swift 8:38.13 against Stanford yesterday, so he improves on that day old mark.

It was a 1-2 finish for ASU, as teammate Reece Grady touched in 9:01.77. Cal’s Jack Meehan placed 3rd today, finishing in 9:01.82.

WOMEN’S 200-YARD FREE

Top 3:

  1. Mia Motekaitis (CAL) – 1:44.05
  2. Leah Polonsky (CAL) – 1:44.06
  3. Ieva Maluka (ASU) – 1:45.02

Mia Motekaitis (1:44.05) and Leah Polonsky (1:44.06) of Cal went head-to-head the whole way, leading a 1-2 finish for the Golden Bears. ASU’s Ieva Makuka touched in 1:45.02 to secure third place points for the Sun Devils.

Ava Chavez (1:48.34) and Ella Mazurek (1:48.71) touched 4th and 5th for Cal, while Marte Lovberg of ASU touched in 1:48.76 for 56h.

MEN’S 200-YARD FREE

Top 3:

  1. Gabriel Jett (CAL) – 1:31.78
  2. Julian Hill (ASU) – 1:33.27
  3. Robin Hanson (CAL) – 1:33.33

Gabriel Jett used his strong underwaters to secure 200 free victory for Cal, touching in 1:31.78. Jett was 2nd in this event at the NCAA Championships last March, where he recorded a time of 1:30.74.

ASU’s Julian Hill touched in 1:33.27 for 2nd place, while Robin Hanson (1:33.33) of Cal touched just behind for 3rd.

WOMEN’S 100-YARD BACK

Top 3:

  1. Isabelle Stadden (CAL) – 50.55
  2. Katrina Marty (ASU) – 53.45
  3. Isabella Riley (CAL) – 53.66

Isabelle Stadden put up a dominant performance in the 100 back, clearing the field by nearly three seconds. She touched in a final time of 50.55 to snag the win, with teammate Isabella Riley hitting 53.66 for 3rd.

ASU’s Katrina Marty touched in 53.45 to secure 2nd place for the Devils. Charli Brown of ASU and Morgan Brophy of Cal rounded out the top five, both posting swims in the 54-second range.

MEN’S 100-YARD BACK

Top 3:

  1. Destin Lasco (CAL) – 44.80
  2. Hubert Kos (ASU) – 44.97
  3. Owen McDonald (ASU) – 46.43

Destin Lasco and Hubert Kos went head-to-head the whole way in the 100 back, with Lasco getting the better of Kos at the touch. Lasco touched in 44.80 to secure a Golden Bear win, while Kos dipped under the 45-second barrier for 2nd in 44.97.

Owen McDonald of ASU clocked a swift 46.43 to place 3rd today. Ziyad Saleem of Cal was 4th in 46.62 while Kai Crews clocked 46.71 for 5th. Five swimmers were :46 or faster in this race, showcasing one of the deepest 100 back dual meet fields ever.

WOMEN’S 100-YARD BREAST

Top 3:

  1. Jade Neser (CAL) – 59.93
  2. Hannah Brunzell (CAL) – 1:00.30
  3. Zoe Summar (ASU) – 1:00.73

Jade Neser of Cal was the lone swimmer to dip under the elusive 1:00-minute barrier, hitting the wall in 59.93. She led a 1-2 finish for her team, as Hannah Brunzell touched in 1:00.30.

Zoe Summar of ASU broke 1:01 for 3rd, hitting the touchpad in 1:00.73. Three other swimmers broke the 1:02-barrier, with Alicia Henry of Cal leading the way in 1:01.23. Sun Devil teammates Ginger McMahon (1:01.44) and Iza Adame (1:01.73) placed 5th and 6th, respectively.

MEN’S 100-YARD BREAST

Top 3:

  1. Leon Marchand (ASU) – 51.37
  2. Liam Bell (CAL) – 51.70
  3. Jacob Soderlund (CAL) – 51.88

Liam Bell of Cal showcased strong opening speed in today’s 100 breast, maintaining the lead through the first 75 of the race. Leon Marchand‘s back half was ultimately too much to overcome, as Marchand stopped the clock in 51.37 to secure victory. Bell held on through the final 25 for 2nd, touching just ahead of teammate Jacob Soderlund. Bell touched in 51.70 to Soderlund’s swift 51.88 marker.

Three swimmers posted :52-second swims, with David Schlicht (52.10) and Andy Dobraznski (52.46) of ASU leading the way. Matthew Jensen of Cal clocked in at 52.68.

WOMEN’S 200-YARD FLY

Top 3:

  1. Lindsay Looney (ASU) – 1:53.51
  2. Rachel Klinker (CAL) – 1:53.77
  3. Lizzy Cook (CAL) – 1:55.84

2023 U.S. World Championship team member Lindsay Looney touched 1st in the women’s 200 fly, securing the first win of the day for the Sun Devil women. Rachel Klinker of Cal was with her the whole way, touching just 0.26 behind at the finish. Looney touched in 1:53.51 to Klinker’s 1:53.77.

Cal’s Lizzy Cook rounded out the top three in 1:55.84, the only other sub-1:58 time in the field.

MEN’S 200-YARD FLY

Top 3:

  1. Ilya Kharun (ASU) – 1:39.92
  2. Dare Rose (CAL) – 1:41.13
  3. Alexander Colson (ASU) – 1:41.55

After becoming the 2nd fastest performer of all-time in the event yesterday, ASU’s Ilya Kharun posted a time of 1:39.92 for the win today. While his time is two seconds slower than yesterday, it got the job done in a closely contested meet.

Cal’s Dare Rose touched in 1:41.13, while Sun Devil Alexander Colson (1:41.55) touched 3rd.

WOMEN’S 50-YARD FREE

Top 3:

  1. Stephanie Akakabota (CAL) – 22.11
  2. Eloise Riley (CAL) – 22.19
  3. Mckenna Stone (CAL) – 22.45

After posting a swift 21.63 freestyle split on Cal’s ‘C’ medley relay, Stephanie Akakabota touched in 22.11 to snag the individual win. She led a 1-2-3 finish for the Golden Bears, as Eloise Riley (22.19) and Mckenna Stone (22.45) touched closely behind.

ASU’s Erin Milligan hit the wall in 4th place, posting a respectable effort of 22.62. Two additional swimmers cracked the 23-second barrier, Cal’s Emily Gantriis (22.63) and Daniela Cogswell (22.82).

MEN’S 50-YARD FREE

Top 3:

  1. Bjorn Seeliger (CAL) – 18.92
  2. Jack Alexy (CAL) – 18.97
  3. Jonny Kulow (ASU) – 19.23

It was a Cal 1-2 finish in the men’s 50, with Bjorn Seeliger (18.92) and Jack Alexy (18.97) posting the only sub-19 performances. The swim from Seeliger represents a new pool record, and is faster than he has swum all season.

ASU touched in 3rd, 4th, and 5th, with Jonny Kulow leading the trio of Sun Devils. Kulow touched in 19.23, with teammates Jack Dolan (19.40) and Cam Peel (19.41) closely behind.

FIRST BREAK – SCORING UPDATE

WOMEN’S 100-YARD FREE

Top 3:

  1. Eloise Riley (CAL) – 48.47
  2. Erin Milligan (ASU) – 48.72
  3. Ieva Maluka (ASU) – 48.85

After a 2nd place finish in the 100 free about 15 minutes ago, Cal’s Eloise Riley touched in 48.47 to win the 100 free. She faced tough competition for the ASU duo of Erin Milligan (48.72) and Ieva Maluka (48.85), who placed 2nd and 3rd today.

A pair of Cal swimmers touched for 4th and 5th, with Emily Gantriis (49.39) finishing ahead of Ella Mazurek (49.58).

MEN’S 100-YARD FREE

Top 3:

  1. Jack Alexy (CAL) – 41.40
  2. Bjorn Seeliger (CAL) – 41.41
  3. Jonny Kulow (ASU) – 42.11

Just like we saw in the 50 free, it was another 1-2 finish for Cal. This time the rolls were reversed, as Jack Alexy (41.40) touched for the win ahead of teammate Bjorn Seeliger (41.41). The swim by Alexy is a new pool record, and the fastest he has been at an in-season meet.

Jonny Kulow touched in 42.11 to secure 3rd for the Sun Devils, while Matthew Jensen (42.79) and Jack Dolan (42.84) rounded out the top five.

WOMEN’S 200-YARD BACK

Top 3:

  1. Isabelle Stadden (CAL) – 1:50.58
  2. Mia Motekaitis (CAL) – 1:54.71
  3. Charli Brown (ASU) – 1:58.84

Isabelle Stadden led a 1-2 finish for the Cal women, touching in 1:50.58. Teammate Mia Motekaitis, who won the 200 free earlier, hit the wall in 1:54.71 for 2nd place.

Charli Brown of ASU, who featured in the 100 back earlier, touched in 1:58.84 to grab 3rd place.

MEN’S 200-YARD BACK

Top 3:

  1. Hubert Kos (ASU) – 1:39.07
  2. Destin Lasco (CAL) – 1:39.29
  3. Keaton Jones (CAL) – 1:40.42

The 200 back one of many close races today, and it did not disappoint. Heading into the final 25, Hubert Kos and Destin Lasco were nearly completely even. Lasco had a slightly better turn, but Kos increased the tempo to maintain his lead at the finish. Kos touched in 1:39.07 to Lasco’s 1:39.29, both well off their personal bests.

This 200 back battle looked very similar to what we saw in the 100 back earlier, with the roles reversed at the touch.

Cal freshman Keaton Jones grabbed 3rd place, touching in 1:40.42 to nearly clip his best time. His teammate, Colby Mefford, touched in 1:40.95 for 4th place.

WOMEN’S 200-YARD BREAST

Top 3:

  1. Hannah Brunzell (CAL) – 2:09.70
  2. Jade Neser (CAL) – 2:11.54
  3. Abigail Herscu (CAL) – 2:12.21

The 200 breast saw another 1-2-3 sweep for the Golden Bears, as 22-year-old Hannah Brunzell led the way. She touched in a time of 2:09.70, not only securing the win but representing the only swimmer to break 2:10.

Golden Bear teammates Jade Neser (2:11.54) and Abigail Herscu (2:12.21) touched for 2nd and 3rd, with a pair of ASU swimmers touching just behind in the 2:12-range.

Those ASU swimmers were Zoe Summar (2:12.55) and Emma Gehlert (2:12.80), giving the Golden Bears a race the whole way.

MEN’S 200-YARD BREAST

Top 3:

  1. Leon Marchand (ASU) – 1:51.80
  2. David Schlicht (ASU) – 1:53.06
  3. Jacob Soderlund (CAL) – 1:53.11

400 LCM IM world record holder Leon Marchand claimed his 2nd victory of the day in the 200 breast, stopping the clock in 1:51.80. His teammate David Schlicht touched about a second behind, finishing in 1:53.06. This 1-2 finish was pivotal for the Sun Devils, as the meet is separated by less than ten points at this time.

Cal’s Jacob Soderlund was in the race for 2nd the whole way, but was out touched by Schlicht at the wall. Soderlund’s final time of 1:53.11 checks-in as a new personal best.

WOMEN’S 500-YARD FREE

Top 3:

  1. Rachel Klinker (CAL) – 4:41.67
  2. Deniz Ertan (ASU) – 4:41.77
  3. Leah Polonsky (CAL) – 4:44.78

After just missing a win in the 200 fly, Cal’s Rachel Klinker was on the other side of the touch this time. Klinker grabbed the win in 4:41.67, outpacing Deniz Ertan by just 0.10. Ertan, who opened the meet with a decisive win in the 1000 free, touched in 4:41.77 for 2nd.

Leah Polonsky of Cal finished her swim in 4:44.78, marking a 3rd place finish and valuable points for the Bears.

Fanni Fabian (4:48.30) and Kathryn Hazle (4:48.81) placed 4th and 5th for Cal, both cracking the 4:50-barrier.

MEN’S 500-YARD FREE

Top 3:

  1. Zalan Sarkany (ASU) – 4:12.45
  2. Gabriel Jett (CAL) – 4:16.81
  3. Julian Hill (ASU) – 4:17.12

Zalan Sarkany is 4-for-4 in regard to personal best times over the past two days, with another best time here in this 500 free. His winning time of 4:12.45 checks-in as his first ever effort under the 4:13-barrier, and was good enough to win by over four seconds.

The 2023 PAC-12 champion in the event, Gabriel Jett, touched in 4:16.81 to grab 2nd place. Jett was out of contention for a top-2 finish until the very last 25, where he used a strong final turn to rocket himself to the wall ahead of Julian Hill. Hill, 23 from ASU, touched in 4:17.12 for 3rd.

WOMEN’S 100-YARD FLY

Top 3:

  1. Mia Kragh (CAL) – 51.30
  2. Mckenna Stone (CAL) – 52.07
  3. Morgan Brophy (CAL) – 52.27

Mia Kragh led a 1-2-3-4 finish for the Golden Bears, stopping the clock in a new best time of 51.30 in the 100 fly. Teammates Mckenna Stone (52.07), Morgan Brophy (52.27), and Lizzy Cook (52.52) followed behind, all posting 52-second efforts.

200 fly winner Lindsay Looney settled for 5th place, touching in a time of 52.85. Her two teammates, Jade Foelske (53.91) and Katrina Marty (54.27), placed 6th and 7th.

MEN’S 100-YARD FLY

Top 3:

  1. Ilya Kharun (ASU) – 44.54
  2. Dare Rose (CAL) – 45.15
  3. Alexander Colson (ASU) – 46.04

ASU freshman Ilya Kharun threw down in today’s 100 fly, taking a convincing win at a much needed time. He stopped the clock in 44.54, winning by over half a second. His teammate, Alexander Colson, hit the wall in 46.04 for 3rd place. With their swims, they move ASU into the lead by just one point heading into the final two events.

World Champion Dare Rose finished in 45.15 to secure a 2nd place finish for the Bears, marking his second individual 2nd place finish on the day.

Filip Senc-Samardzic of ASU placed 4th in 46.50, while a trio of Golden Bears placed 5th, 6th, and 7th.

WOMEN’S 200-YARD IM

Top 3:

  1. Leah Polonsky (CAL) – 1:55.67
  2. Ieva Maluka (ASU) – 1:56.06
  3. Charli Brown (ASU) – 1:59.40

PAC-12 champ Leah Polonsky showcased her versatility en route to the 200 IM win, touching in 1:55.67. Polonsky split 25.28/28.99/33.58/27.82 on each of the 50s, enough to touch 1st by about half a second.

ASU’s Ieva Maluka led at the 100 turn, as her 28.30 backstroke split was instrumental in her race. She made a great charge on the final 50 of freestyle, too, splitting 27.53. She ultimately finished 2nd in 1:56.06.

Maluka’s ASU teammate, Charli Brown, clocked in at 1:59.40 for 3rd place.

MEN’S 200-YARD IM

Top 3:

  1. Leon Marchand (ASU) – 1:38.93
  2. Destin Lasco (CAL) – 1:41.72
  3. Hubert Kos (ASU) – 1:41.97

Leon Marchand clocked his second 1:38 200 IM swim in the past 24 hours, stopping the clock in 1:38.93 to claim victory. Marchand led from the 75 and never relinquished it. His 28.57 breaststroke split is what really separated him from the field.

Destin Lasco trailed Hubert Kos for the majority of the race, but rallied home with a 23.73 freestyle split to take 2nd. Hubert Kos finished in 1:41.97 for 3rd, securing valuable points for the Sun Devils.

Lasco and Kos went head-to-head in three individual events today, with each of them claiming one individual win.

WOMEN’S 200-YARD FREE RELAY

Top 3:

  1. Cal ‘A’ – 1:27.77
  2. Cal ‘B’ – 1:29.25
  3. ASU ‘A’ – 1:30.30

Cal claimed a 1-2 finish to end the day in the 200 free relay, with their ‘A’-team securing the win in 1:27.77. The winning quartet consisted of Eloise Riley (22.23), Stephanie Akakabota (22.06), Emily Gantriis (21.88), and Isabelle Stadden (21.60).

Cal ‘B’ touched in 1:29.25 for 2nd place tonight, highlighted by a split of 21.88 from Mckenna Stone on the third leg.

ASU touched in 1:30.30 to round out the top three, with Indigo Armon (22.23) being their fastest split.

MEN’S 200-YARD FREE RELAY

Top 3:

  1. ASU ‘A’ – 1:15.07
  2. Cal ‘A’ – 1:15.55
  3. Cal ‘B’ – 1:18.25

What looked to be a close race through the 150 turned out to be a clear victory for ASU. The winning quartet of Jack Dolan (19.32), Ilya Kharun (18.65), Cam Peel (18.63), and Jonny Kulow (18.47) sprinted to victory in 1:15.07.

The Cal ‘A’ team of Jack Alexy (18.99), Bjorn Seeliger (18.58), Liam Bell (19.07), and Robin Hanson (18.91) hit the touchpad in a time of 1:15.55.

The Cal ‘B’ team hit the wall in 1:18.25, ensuring Cal tied the meet with ASU when diving is factored in.

FINAL TEAM SCORES

In This Story

Destin Lasco
Gabriel Jett
Hubert Kos
Ilya Kharun
Isabelle Stadden
Jack Alexy
Keaton Jones
Leon Marchand
Liam Bell
Lindsay Looney