FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – The Sun Devils swept the opening races on Day 1 of the Pac-12 Championships Wednesday evening at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, winning the 200 medley relay and 800 free relay in record time.
Jack Dolan, Léon Marchand, Max McCusker and Jonny Kulow opened the meet with a 1:21.69 to win the 200 medley relay – good for the Pac-12 Championship meet record and the new school record. It also tied the conference record, set by Cal last season.
Less than an hour later, the Sun Devil foursome of Marchand, Grant House, Patrick Sammon and Julian Hill took the 800 free relay at 6:06.30. It's a new meet, conference and school record.
Marchand's 200 free split to lead off the relay of 1:30.77 is the fastest time in the country this season.
The Sun Devils are well-positioned to contend for the conference title this week in Federal Way, a feat they have yet to accomplish in program history.
TEAM STANDINGS AFTER DAY 1
1. USC, 198
2. Utah, 146
3. Arizona, 131
4. ASU, 127
5. Stanford, 117
6. Cal, 72
The Sun Devils finish Day 1 in fourth place in the team standings, which are combined with Men's diving scores from last week.
SCHOOL RECORD. MEET RECORD. TIED THE CONFERENCE RECORD.
— Sun Devil Swim/Dive (@ASUSwimDive) March 2, 2023
Dolan-Marchand-McCusker-Kulow win the 200 medley relay at 1:21.69 ??
?? @Pac12Network | #Pac12Swim pic.twitter.com/3Qp84B71H6
AGAIN ??
— Sun Devil Swim/Dive (@ASUSwimDive) March 2, 2023
Marchand-House-Sammon-Hill win the 800 free relay at 6:06.30 ??
It's a new meet, conference AND school record ??
?? @Pac12Network | #Pac12Swim pic.twitter.com/2d9Ne91QKM
The Sun Devils led off last season's Pac-12 Championships with a win in the 800 free relay, as well, but shaved off more than a second this season. House, Carter Swift, Hill and Marchand teamed up to go 6:07.51 last spring.
PAC-12 MEN'S CHAMPIONS UNDER COACH BOWMAN
Léon Marchand, 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 breast, 800 free relay (2022), 200 medley relay and 800 free relay (2023)
Jack Dolan, 200 medley relay (2023)
Max McCusker, 200 medley relay (2023)
Julian Hill, 800 free relay (2022 and 2023) and 200 medley relay (2023)
Patrick Sammon, 800 free relay (2023)
Grant House, 200 free, 800 free relay (2022 and 2023)
Carter Swift, 800 free relay (2022)
Zach Poti, 100 back (2020)
Youssef Selim, Platform, 1-Meter Dive (2019 and 2018)
Cameron Craig, 200 Free (2018), 100 Free, 200 Free, 400 Free Relay (2017),
Andrew Porter, 400 Free Relay (2017)
Tadas Duskinas, 400 Free Relay (2017)
Richard Bohus, 400 Free Relay (2017)
SUN DEVIL MEN'S SWIMMING POSTSEASON FINISHES UNDER COACH BOWMAN (PAC-12/NCAA)
2022: 3rd/6th
2021: DNC (entire program redshirted due to COVID-19)
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 TOP-3 FINISHES AT PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIPS
2022: 3rd
1995: 2nd
1993: 3rd
1987: 3rd
1983: 3rd
1980: 3rd
SWIMMER SOUNDBITE
"It's been ridiculous," freshman Jonny Kulow said on the Pac-12 Network broadcast when asked about this season. "Better than I could've ever imagined or dreamed for. But, dreams get made here at Arizona State. Shoutout to Herbie [Behm] and Bob [Bowman] – they're working some magic down in Tempe."
THURSDAY EVENT SCHEDULE
500 free | 200 IM | 50 free | 200 free relay
Preliminaries: 12 p.m. MST
Finals: 7:00 p.m. MST
FOLLOW ALONG
Keep up with the Sun Devils on Day 2 in Federal Way via the team's Twitter account, @ASUSwimDive, which will be updated with scores, results, recaps and more this week.
Fans can also follow along via the Pac-12 Championship Central.