Leon Marchand Destroys NCAA Record In 400 IM In Arizona State Dual Meet Against Cal
Coming off a sensational dual-meet performance against Stanford on Friday, Arizona State’s Leon Marchand figured to produce several more elite efforts during Saturday action against Cal. Still, what Marchand managed at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center was difficult to comprehend, especially in the 400-yard individual medley.
In the last individual event of the meet, Marchand broke the NCAA and U.S. Open records in the 400 IM, going 3:31.84. The previous records were set by Hugo Gonzalez, who clocked 3:32.88 to capture last year’s NCAA title in a race that featured Marchand as the runnerup. Gonzalez, who just rejoined the Cal squad for the spring semester, was fifth in Saturday’s meet.
As stunning as it might be to see an NCAA record go down in dual-meet competition, Marchand set the stage for such a performance on Friday. As Arizona State topped Stanford, the Frenchman went 51.15 in the 100 breaststroke, 1:49.16 in the 200 breaststroke and 1:38.89 in the 200 individual medley. On Saturday, he was even better.
OMG OMG OMG@leon_marchand sets a new NCAA record in the 400 IM (3:31.84) ‼️
THIS PLACE IS ROCKING 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wGXUiAe6QV
— Sun Devil Swim/Dive (@ASUSwimDive) January 21, 2023
Ahead of the 400 medley, Marchand won the 100 breaststroke in 51.01 and prevailed in the 200 breaststroke in 1:48.82. He also checked in with a 22.99 split on the breaststroke leg during the 200 medley relay. It all led to a spectacular show in the 400 IM.
Marchand opened with a butterfly split of 48.75 and followed with a backstroke effort of 53.68. He then dipped under a minute for the breaststroke, going 59.30 to put the record within reach. Marchand closed with a freestyle split of 50.11 and won the event by nearly 12 seconds over teammate Hubert Kos (3:43.77).
The reigning world champion in the 200 individual medley and 400 individual medley, Marchand has put a sub-3:30 performance on notice for the Pac-12 Championships and NCAA Championships, which will be held in March. Additionally, this summer could feature the French star taking down Michael Phelps’ iconic world record in the 400-meter IM, which has stood since the 2008 Olympic Games at 4:03.84. Marchand ranks No. 2 in history in the event.
It should be mentioned that Leon Marchand is coached by Michael Phelps old coach Bob Bowman. Michael was at this meet with his family.
Damn impressive!
And Marchand was neither shaved or tapered!
He should have been disqualified for sitting on the lane rope whilst others were still swimming.