Hold onto your swim caps, because the Sun Devils just made waves at the 2026 Big 12 Championships! On the very first day, Arizona State's men's team shattered their own conference record in the 800-yard freestyle relay, clocking an impressive 6:08.31. This wasn't just a win; it was their second meet record of the night, proving they're a force to be reckoned with in Greensboro. But here's where it gets even more exciting: this victory wasn't just about speed, it was about strategy and individual brilliance.
The race itself was a nail-biter. At the halfway mark, the Sun Devils trailed their rivals from Arizona, who've built a reputation for their strong 800 free relay. Arizona's Ralph Daleiden and Tomas Lukminas set a blistering pace, but ASU's Filip Senc-Samardzic and Jonny Kulow weren't about to let them walk away with the win. Senc-Samardzic kicked things off with a lightning-fast opening split of 1:32.87, followed by Kulow's 1:32.56, keeping them within striking distance.
And this is the part most people miss: it was Quin Seider's stellar second 100 yards that truly turned the tide. He closed the gap with a split of 1:32.00, 0.28 seconds faster than his performance last year. But the real game-changer was Rémi Fabiani's anchor leg. Fabiani, a grad transfer relatively new to the 200 free, stormed home in a breathtaking 1:30.88, pulling away from Arizona for a comfortable victory.
Fabiani's performance is particularly noteworthy. His personal best before this season was a 1:33.72 from his time at Cal Baptist. This year, he's dropped over two seconds, currently ranking 6th in the NCAA. His anchor leg was nearly a second faster than Patrick Sammon's from last year's winning relay, showcasing ASU's strategic reshuffling of their lineup.
Speaking of lineup changes, Senc-Samardzic moved to the leadoff position after going third last year, while Kulow replaced Tiago Behar, who led off in 2025. These adjustments paid off, as evidenced by the new meet record.
But here's the controversial question: Can ASU's current team, without the graduated stars like Leon Marchand and Hubert Kos, truly challenge for a national title? Marchand, you might recall, set an NCAA record of 1:28.97 leading off ASU's 2024 relay, becoming the first man to break 1:29. While this year's team is undeniably strong, they're facing a different landscape.
The 2026 Big 12 Championships, held from February 24th to 28th at the Greensboro Aquatic Center, are shaping up to be a thrilling event. With defending champions Arizona State looking to repeat their success, and teams like Arizona, BYU, and Cincinnati hungry for a win, every race promises excitement.
Will ASU's men's team continue their dominance? Can the women's team forge a new legacy? The answers lie in the pool, and you won't want to miss a single splash.
What do you think? Can ASU's current roster reach the heights of their predecessors? Let us know in the comments below!
For live updates, results, and more, check out the links below:
- Live Results
- Live Video on ESPN+
- Championship Central
- Men’s Championship Preview
- Women’s Championship Preview
- Psych Sheets
- Day 1 Finals Recap
