Home/Swimming

By winning the Pac-12 Championships in consecutive years, the men’s swimming team from Arizona State University solidified its status as a dominant program. As the conference prepares to disintegrate, this overwhelming performance serves as a fitting farewell and establishes ASU as a national powerhouse. On their way to this championship, the Sun Devil swimming team set 11 ASU records and three NCAA records. Standing the world record, Leon Marchand has received the Pac-12 swimmer of the meet title for three consecutive years running.

At the head of the pack was the invincible Leon Marchand. The rising star was more than simply a star; he broke records. Marchand broke three NCAA records while making his imprint on Pac-12 annals. His brilliance was indisputable, cementing his place among the swimming greats of the conference.

Leon Marchand: A one-man wrecking crew 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Leon Marchand received the ultimate approval from his renowned coach, Bob Bowman, for the event he wished to compete in. Marchand’s dominance was nothing short of extraordinary. He left his rivals in the dust as he broke the 500-yard freestyle record with a time of 4 minutes, 6.18 seconds. But that was far from the end of his reign of terror. Herbie Behm, a member of the ASU Swimming team, shared the fastest times of the swimmers at the Men’s Pac-12 Championship meet on his Instagram handle, showcasing the dominance of Leon Marchand.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Herbie Behm (@sirherb_the3rd)

He and his teammates Jack Dolan, Ilya Kharun, and Jonny Kulow smashed the previous record, which stood at 1 minute and 25 seconds in the 200-yard medley relay.  Leon Marchand demonstrated his versatility by winning various relays, the 100 breaststroke, the 400 individual medley, and other conference events. As a result of his exceptional performance, Marchand was named Pac-12 Swimmer of the Meet for the third year in a row.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

His sights are focused on the forthcoming National Championships, but rumors are that he has Olympic dreams of competing in the Paris Olympics 2024. No one can doubt that he will be a formidable competitor for the gold medal on the most significant stage in the world, thanks to his unwavering will and constantly improving skill set.

Leon Marchand’s masterclass propels ASU to historic Pac-12 swimming triumph

It was a real team effort, but Marchand’s brilliance was the main attraction. They dominated the tournament and won many swimming events thanks to their extraordinary depth. The Sun Devils’ unprecedented success was greatly aided by swimmers such as Hubert Kos (100m & 200m backstroke), Ilya Kharun (several relay wins and individual victories), and Jonny Kulow (crucial member of record-breaking relay teams).

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Read More: Sun Devils’ Leon Marchand Shatters Yet Another NCAA Record To Clinch Gold in Uncharted Territory

As evidence of their total domination, ASU owns an astounding number of Pac-12 Championship records. Thanks to their legendary coach, Leon Marchand, the Sun Devils are loaded with talent and will be hard to beat at the 2017 NCAA Championships. While the ASU swimming legacy will live on long after the Pac-12 era has ended, it is far from over.