Get ready for an exciting dive into the world of swimming! Arizona State University (ASU) takes center stage with a thrilling NCAA debut, leaving Grand Canyon University (GCU) in their wake.
January 3, 2026, witnessed a historic clash at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center in Tempe, AZ. The Sun Devils, both men and women, delivered a powerful performance, securing their first victories of the year with a dominant display.
Women's Recap:
ASU's women's team dominated across the board, winning an impressive 13 events and accumulating 224.5 points, leaving GCU with a mere 74.5. Freshman Albane Cachot, a true standout, made waves in her collegiate debut, sweeping the sprint freestyle events with impressive times of 22.43 in the 50 free, 49.11 in the 100 free, and 1:46.38 in the 200 free. Her performance was a highlight, showcasing her potential as a key contributor for the Sun Devils.
Cachot, a French talent, also anchored the winning 400 free relay team, which included fellow freshmen Cali Watts, Alexia Sotomayor, and Shane Golland. Their combined effort resulted in a first-place finish with a time of 3:20.07, an impressive start to their collegiate careers.
Alexia Sotomayor's strong performance in the 200 fly, finishing second in 2:00.52, was another notable achievement for ASU. Grace Lindberg's individual victory in the 400 IM with a lifetime best time of 4:14.26 was a thrilling moment, as she improved upon her previous personal best by over two seconds.
Sun Devil Alexa Reyna's huge personal best in the 200 back, winning in 1:59.68, was a remarkable improvement, shaving almost 3.5 seconds off her previous record. The diving events saw ASU's Kayden Hayes dominate, sweeping both the 1-meter and 3-meter competitions with scores of 306.30 and 318.53 points, respectively. Her teammates Libby Thai and Amayah Wiley followed closely behind.
Men's Recap:
The Sun Devils continued their dominance, walking away with 208 points, while GCU managed 91. ASU's men won 12 out of 16 events and swept the podium in multiple individual events. Freshman Harrison Smith led the way in the 400 IM, touching first in 3:57.18, closely followed by his teammate Hayden Hakes. The 200 free saw graduate student Jordan Tiffany shine, setting a lifetime best time of 1:34.72, an incredible improvement.
Tiffany's performance on the day was exceptional, as he went on to win the 100 free and the 100 IM, showcasing his versatility. Lucien Vergnes, an ASU sophomore, made history by winning the 50 free with a lifetime best time of 19.83, becoming the first Sun Devil to break the 20-second barrier. The 200 medley relay brought excitement with a mixed-up 'A' relay order, resulting in a winning time of 1:25.35, thanks to the blazing splits of Ilya Kharun, Jonny Kulow, Adam Chaney, and Andy Dobrzanski.
GCU's Antelopes had their moments too, with seniors Alex Volkov and Mario Perez claiming individual victories. Volkov's personal best time of 47.04 in the 100 fly was a highlight, bringing valuable points for the team.
Up Next:
The Sun Devils gear up for the Big 12 West Championships from January 16-17, where they will face tough competition from Arizona, Kansas, Utah, and BYU. GCU, on the other hand, prepares for a dual meet against California Baptist on January 3.
This thrilling NCAA debut sets the stage for an exciting season, and we can't wait to see what the Sun Devils and the Antelopes have in store! Who do you think will emerge as the top team?
