ASU dominated the 2026 Big 12 West Championships, sweeping both the men's and women's titles. The Sun Devils' success was led by junior swimmer Ilya Kharun, who made a significant impact on the team's performance. Kharun's exceptional performance was highlighted by his impressive relay splits, breaking records and tying with his own previous achievements.
In the men's 200 medley relay, Kharun's 19.12 split helped secure a first-place finish for ASU. This performance tied him with his own 19.12 from the 2024 ASU vs Cal vs Stanford meet, securing the 9th spot in the all-time rankings. Kharun's contribution to the team's success continued in the men's 100 fly, where he split 43.16, ranking him 9th all-time.
Kharun's achievements extended beyond relay events. He won individual races, including the 50 free (18.62), 100 fly (44.39), and 200 fly (1:39.30). The Sun Devil men also excelled in other events, with Andy Dobrzanski setting new personal best times in the 100 and 200 breaststroke.
The women's team, led by Albane Cachot, also had a remarkable performance. Cachot contributed to two winning relays and set personal bests in the 200 free and 100 free. Julia Ullmann was another standout performer, winning both fly events with significant margins.
Despite ASU's overall success, the men's 400 IM was won by Utah's Strahinja Maslo, who finished ahead of ASU's Hayden Hakes. Arizona's Luke Hernandez dominated the diving events, winning both the 1-meter and 3-meter competitions on day one. The team's achievements showcased their strength and versatility across various swimming disciplines.
