Sun Devil Swim and Dive Dominate Day Two of Big 12 Championships
In the heart of Greensboro, the Sun Devil Swim and Dive program is making waves at the Big 12 Championships. The Arizona State women’s team, showcasing their prowess, clinched victories in the 500 free, 50 free, and 200 IM, amassing an impressive 521.5 points by the end of day two.
Freshman sensation Albane Cachot stole the spotlight in the 50 free, clocking a personal best of 21.80. This not only earned her the Big 12 title but also marked the second-fastest time in Sun Devil history, edging out three competitors from Arizona.
Meanwhile, junior Sonia Vaishnani secured the 200 IM title with a stellar 1:57.16, the sixth-best in school records. Sophomore teammates Jordan Greber and Julia Ullmann followed closely, completing the podium sweep with times that etched their names in the program's history.
Senior Deniz Ertan kicked off the evening with a commanding win in the 500 free, posting an NCAA-qualifying time of 4:41.34. Junior Alexa Reyna and Grace Lindberg also delivered strong performances, finishing second and fourth, respectively.
On the men's side, it was a day of dominance in the 50 free. Junior Ilya Kharun shattered his own meet record, touching the wall at 18.46. He led a Sun Devil surge that saw seven teammates join him on the podium, catapulting the team to 618 points.
Graduate Remi Fabiani and Adam Chaney added to the Sun Devil glory, claiming second and third in the 50 free with times that rank among the program's best. In the 500 free, junior Reece Grady added a bronze to the tally with a 4:15.93 finish, while the 200 IM saw junior JT Ewing and graduate Jordan Tiffany delivering top performances.
In diving, senior Lane Stallworth and Caleb Liban contributed valuable points in the 3m consolation final, while junior Kayden Hayes made her mark in the women’s 1m event.
Looking ahead, tomorrow promises more excitement with preliminary swims in the 100 fly, 400 IM, and 200 free, alongside men’s 1m and women’s 3m diving. The Sun Devils are set to continue their impressive run, with finals scheduled for the afternoon.
Team Standings After Day Two:
Men:
- Arizona State: 618
- Utah: 473
- Arizona: 472
Women:
- Arizona State: 521.5
- Arizona: 423
- Houston: 302.5
As the Sun Devils continue to shine, both the men’s and women’s teams are poised for a strong finish, building on their rich championship legacy. Stay tuned as they aim to extend their lead and capture more titles.