ATLANTA – Take a bow, Léon Marchand!
The sensational Sun Devil freshman became the fastest 200 IMer in NCAA history on Thursday after winning the event with a record time of 1:37.69. He crushed Caeleb Dressel's time of 1:38.13 set in 2018.
Marchand is the Sun Devils' first national champion since 2000 and the fifth in program history. He did it on Day 2 of the NCAA Championships in front of teammates, family who traveled from his home country of France and Dressel, who was in attendance at the McAuley Aquatic Center.
LÉON MARCHAND WINS THE 200 IM AT 1:37.69, THE FASTEST TIME IN NCAA HISTORY!!! pic.twitter.com/vlT0HOohwr
— Sun Devil Swim/Dive (@ASUSwimDive) March 24, 2022
The 19-year-old is now a Pac-12 Champion in four events and an NCAA champion – all in his rookie season as a Sun Devil.
His win helped pick up 20 points for the Sun Devils in the overall team standings, keeping the Sun Devils in fifth place.
TEAM STANDINGS AFTER DAY 2
1. Texas 180
2. Florida 159
3. California 158
4. NC State 124
5. Arizona St 111
6. Georgia 100
7. Stanford 94
8. Indiana 78
The Sun Devils rounded out the night with another record-breaking performance in the 200 free relay, as Jack Dolan, Grant House, Marchand and Cody Bybee went 1:14.85 for a new program-best mark. The foursome earned a sixth-place finish and collected 26 points in the process.
House was another Sun Devil who added a huge 200 IM performance, going a personal-best 1:40.53 to place 10th overall.
In the 50 free final, Jack Dolan added a 14th place finish with his time of 19.18.
Julian Hill was the fourth Sun Devil to compete in the evening finals session after qualifying for the 500 free consolation final this morning. Hill went 4:15.78 for an eighth-place finish in the consolation final.
PRELIMINARIES
In the Thursday morning preliminaries, Léon Marchand swam a 1:38.83 in the 200 IM, crushing his school record (1:39.65) that he set weeks ago at the Pac-12 Championships. It was also the fourth fastest time in NCAA history, per SwimSwam.com.
House was the next ASU finisher in the 200 IM, clocking in at 1:41.85 to place 12th and secure a spot in the consolation final. David Schlicht (1:43.22) and Alex Colson (1:44.10) raced as well, but missed out on a top-16 finish.
The Sun Devils had a trio of swimmers competing in both the 500 free and 50 free. Julian Hill (4:13.81) was the only to land a spot in the 500 free final after a 16th place finish, which captured the third-fastest time in program history. Andrew Gray (4:16.27) and Gordon Mason (4:19.60) rounded out the 500 free.
In the 50 free, Dolan clinched a spot in the consolation final with his time of 19.16. Cody Bybee narrowly missed, coming in four spots later at 19.23. Carter Swift added a time of 19.67.
SUN DEVIL MEN'S SWIMMING NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Léon Marchand, 200 IM (2022)
Attila Czene, 200 IM (2000)
Francisco Sanchez, 50 free (1996)
Mikael Orn, 200 free (1983)
Andy Astbury, 500 free (1982)
SUN DEVIL MEN'S SWIMMING POSTSEASON FINISHES IN BOB BOWMAN ERA (PAC-12/NCAA)
2022: 3rd/TBD
2021: Team redshirted entire season due to COVID
2020: 4th/no NCAA due to COVID-19
2019: 4th/21st
2018: 4th/20th
2017: 4th/14th
2016: 5th/44th(T)
SUN DEVIL MEN'S SWIMMING TOP-10 NCAA FINISHES
2003: 10th
2002: 10th
2000: 10th
1998: 10th
1996: 9th
1991: 9th
1990: 5th
1987: 10th
1986: 9th
1984: 7th
1983: 7th
1982: 6th
UP NEXT
Day 3 of the NCAA Championships will be the most action-packed yet, with preliminaries for the 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast and 100 back beginning Friday at 7 a.m. MST.
Marchand and House are just two Sun Devils who will contend for an individual title on Friday, as they own the fastest time in the nation this season in the 400 IM and 200 free, respectively.
House is one of five Sun Devils who will suit up in the 200 free, joined by Carter Swift, Andrew Gray, Patrick Sammon and Julian Hill.
FOLLOW ALONG
Don't miss what is shaping up to be an electric week in Atlanta for Bob Bowman's Sun Devils. To stay up to date with the squad this week, follow the team's Twitter account, @ ASUSwimDive.