6 Top NCAA Performances from October: Gretchen Walsh Leads the Way
The splash of determined competitors, dueling for victory. The roar of the crowd echoing throughout the arena. And of course, the sweet smell of chlorine. After months of intense anticipation, the college dual-meet season is well underway. In the past month, a multitude of rivals have faced off, best times have been achieved, and meets have attracted record crowds across the country. To celebrate, we’re counting down the six best performances that were delivered in October, which served as a launching pad for more to come this month.
Here we go:
6. Carles Coll Marti, Virginia Tech, 200 Breaststroke at SMU Classic
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The SMU Classic was a star-studded gathering of some of college swimming’s finest, with five ranked teams getting together for a jam-packed first meet. For most swimmers, it was a chance to get back to form. But for Virginia Tech NCAA finalist Carlos Coll Marti, the meet was about picking up where he left off. The swimmer finished with a win in the 200 breaststroke in 1:50.77. His time was just a second off the mark which placed him third in the event at last year’s NCAA Championships, signaling more to come as the season continues.
5. Claire Curzan, Virginia, 200 Back at Florida
Returning to college swimming after an Olympic-year redshirt, Claire Curzan immediately put college swimming on notice. The Team USA veteran returned to the event she won two years ago at Stanford, putting in a 1:49.64, just two seconds slower than her championship time. It’ll be exciting to watch Curzan and Olympian Phoebe Bacon duel in March, with the two swimmers finishing second and third respectively at the Olympic trials this past summer.
4. Hubert Kos, Texas, 200 I.M vs Indiana
The Bob Bowman era at Texas featured a test against fourth-ranked Indiana in late October. But thanks to Hubi Kos and others, the Longhorns passed with flying colors, winning 192-144. Kos’ 1:40.51 edged out former teammate Owen McDonald’s 1:41.25 for the win in the 200 I.M, the two fastest times in the event this year in college. The Hungarian’s breaststroke leg helped him pull away. The first and only A cut in a men’s I.M event this year, Kos was only a second slower than he was at NCAAs a year ago, suggesting more to come.
3. Jillian Cox, Texas, 500 Freestyle vs Indiana
The Texas women’s team also flourished against Indiana, with Jillian Cox standing out. The highlight for the freshman was a 4:34.41 in the 500 freestyle, the fastest time in the country this season. The time would have placed third at NCAAs last year, putting Cox in the conversation as a strong contender for this year’s title.
2. Ilya Kharun, Arizona State, 50 Free at N.C State
In perhaps the biggest meet of the year so far, Ilya Kharun came up big. With the Arizona State men needing a win in the 200 freestyle relay against N.C State, Kharun blasted a mark of 18.59. While Kharun has also been sub-44 in the 100 butterfly early in the season, his fantastic turn in the 50 free guided him past the Wolfpack’s Quintin McCarty, setting the tone for his relay mates. With a plethora of graduates in the men’s 50 free this year, Kharun could be a name to watch come March.
1. Gretchen Walsh, Virginia, 100 I.M vs Florida
Dominance is expected from Gretchen Walsh, and she continued to shine early in the season. Against third-ranked Florida, Walsh used the dual-meet stage against Florida to set a world record in the 100 individual medley. Walsh used her signature underwaters to set a record of 55.98, marking the first time a woman has broken the 56-second barrier. Walsh and Virginia look superb after their 181-119 victory, with a fifth straight NCAA championship within their grasp.