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

Leon Marchand received his legendary coach Bob Bowman’s ultimate ‘yes’ for his choice of event. Ultimately, he went for the 500m free event, replacing his participation chance in the 200m IM event on the Pac-12 Championships final. After the first day of relay events, in the ongoing NCAA swimming chapter, the ASU brigade reached the third position, after Southern California and California-Berkley. So, the Bob Bowman-trained squad needed some individual brilliance to lift the points. Leon Marchand rose to the occasion.

In Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, Leon Marchand ventured into the 500m territory. And it turned out to be a winning one. In his maiden attempt, Marchand walked away with a gold, that too breaking records! 

Leon Marchand continues to set higher and higher standards 

The joyful Sun Devil Swim/Dive club released the news on X, garlanding with adjectives. “ANOTHER NCAA RECORD GOES DOWN [emoji] @leon_marchand becomes a Pac-12 champion in the 500 free for the first time in his career in record-breaking fashion!”, it conceded. Leon Marchand took 4:06.18 seconds to claim the victory. Previously, the 200 medley relay and 800m free relay witnessed the French swimmer sprinkling his fireballs on the pool in the final Pac-12 men’s championship.  

This time, the blazing swimmer’s Pac-12 experience has been moving towards cementing him as one legend in NCAA swimming history. Previously, in the breaststroke split as well, Marchand was at the fore. Now, this performance came out to be the icing on the cake. The 4:06.32 timing took down the Tokyo Olympics medalist Kieran Smith’s existing record of 4:06.32 made in the SECs of 2020 and 2021. With this Marchand compels the spotlight to turn toward him

The undisputed run of the French Prodigy

On Thursday, the 5x world champion was all set to lock his horns in the 200m IM event. Leon already boasts of having the event record, keeping the NCAA spearhead Destin Lasco far behind. Eventually, the 200m IM is going to be his trademark event in the upcoming contests, including the Paris Olympics trial. But in excelling his nomination more vividly, the ASU prodigy selected the 500m free event, even after losing his top seed. Thursday as well, he took the records for cleaners, defeating coursemates such as Zalan Sarkany and Julian Hill. 

Read more: Leon Marchand Might Have a New Rival as Carson Foster Wins 400M IM at TYR Pro Series 2024

Eventually, the event added the fourth record in Leon Marchand’s crown in NCAA swimming dominance. At 21 years of age, he already holds the 200m and 400m IM record and 200m breaststroke. So differing the participation scenario in the ongoing TYR Pro Swim Series, arguably the most discussed swimmer in the current times, made a hefty yet triumphant decision in his career. 

Also read: Do You Know Why America Dominates in Swimming and Might Take Over Paris Olympics Podium?