Get ready for an exciting dive into the world of swimming! A thrilling sweep for ASU as they conclude their regular season with a bang! But here's where it gets controversial...
On February 6, 2026, at the Hillenbrand Aquatic Center in Tucson, AZ, the ASU Sun Devils dominated the Arizona Wildcats. The women's team secured their fourth consecutive win, while the men's team celebrated their ninth victory. And this is the part most people miss... the star of the show, Ilya Kharun, split an incredible 18.94 seconds on the fly leg of the medley relay, earning him the eighth fastest 50 fly split in history!
Men's Recap:
Kharun, who recently made headlines by switching his international representation from Canada to the United States, played a crucial role in ASU's winning 200 medley relay. Alongside him were Adam Chaney, Andy Dobrzanski, and Jonny Kulow, each contributing to the team's success. Kharun's split of 18.94 seconds (8.29/10.65) is a testament to his skill and dedication.
With this achievement, Kharun now owns seven of the top-10 fly splits of all time! But here's a twist... Jordan Crooks, Josh Liendo, and Gui Caribe each hold one spot on this prestigious list.
Top 10 Fly Splits:
1. 18.68 - Ilya Kharun (2025 CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge)
2. 18.78 - Ilya Kharun (2025 NCAAs)
3. 18.79 - Ilya Kharun (2025 ASU vs USC)
4. 18.89 - Ilya Kharun (2024 Wolfpack Elite Invite)
5. 18.90 - Jordan Crooks (2023 SECs)
6. 18.90 - Ilya Kharun (2025 Eddie Reese Showdown)
7. 18.91 - Ilya Kharun (2025 ASU vs UNLV)
8. 18.94 - Ilya Kharun (2026 ASU vs Arizona)
9. 18.97 - Josh Liendo (2024 NCAAs)
10. 19.05 - Gui Caribe (2025 NCAAs)
Kharun's performance didn't stop there! He also swam on the 200 freestyle relay, splitting an impressive 18.31 seconds on the ASU 'B' relay, which finished second. But the 'A' relay team took the win with an even faster time of 1:14.68.
In the individual events, Kharun dominated the fly races, winning both the 100 and 200 fly. His season and personal best time of 43.38 seconds in the 100 fly is a testament to his talent. In the 200 fly, he swam a solid 1:38.58, just shy of his season and lifetime best.
Other notable two-event winners for ASU include Remi Fabiani in the 100 and 200 free, Reece Grady in the distance events, Andy Dobrzanski in the breaststroke, and Tolu Young in the 50 free.
Women's Recap:
Midseason addition Albane Cachot has been a game-changer for the Sun Devils. Her two event wins on Friday played a crucial role in the team's tight 16-point victory over the Wildcats. Cachot's personal best times of 47.82 seconds in the 100 free and 1:44.34 in the 200 free secured her wins by more than half a second in both events.
ASU's Alexa Reyna also shone, winning two individual events in the 500 and 1000 free. Julia Ullmann dominated the fly events, winning the 100 and 200 fly with times of 52.10 and 1:56.31, respectively.
The Sun Devils took both backstroke events with Miriam Sheehan and Gerda Szilagyi, while Jordan Greber secured the win in the 200 IM. Despite ASU's overall victory, the Arizona women's team took the top spot in both relays, diving events, and had some impressive individual performances.
They started strong with a win in the 200 medley relay, just two hundredths off the NCAA qualifying time. Arizona's Julia Wozniak led the team to victory in the 200 freestyle relay, earning the NCAA 'A' cut with a time of 1:27.67. Wozniak also won the 50 free, showcasing her speed and talent.
Eleni Gewalt, the breaststroker from the medley relay, swept the breaststroke events for Arizona, setting new season best times. Finally, diver Zara Ayazi dominated both boards, scoring high in the 1 and 3-meter events.
This thrilling meet showcased the talent and dedication of these swimmers. With such close races and impressive performances, it's no wonder swimming is a beloved sport!
So, what do you think? Who impressed you the most? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments! Let's celebrate these athletes and their achievements!
