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In SCY Debut, Zalan Sarkany Takes Down 39-Year-Old ASU School Record in 1000 Free

Arizona State vs. Stanford

  • Jan. 20, 2023
  • Mona Plummer Aquatic Center
    • Tempe, Arizona
  • Short-course yards (25 meters)
  • Results on MeetMobile: “Arizona State vs. Stanford”
  • SwimSwam’s Complete Meet Recap

Arizona State freshman Zalan Sarkany’s first race in short-course yards (SCY) was one to remember on Friday afternoon.

The 19-year-old Hungarian distance freestyler wasted no time etching his name into Sun Devils’ history during his first collegiate meet as he blazed a 8:50.56 to take down the oldest school record on the books. Scott Brackett’s mark of 8:57.64 had stood untouched for 39 years since 1984 until Friday’s dual meet against Stanford.

Sarkany’s first official 1000 free ranks as the third-fastest time in the NCAA this season behind David Johnston (8:41.61) and Charlie Clark (8:49.84).

Sarkany’s 1000 Free Splits

Distance Split
100 48.50
200 52.53
300 52.88
400 53.42
500 53.52
600 53.87
700 53.94
800 54.11
900 54.45
1000 53.34
Total 8:50.56

Sarkany picked up a pair of bronze medals in the 800 free and 1500 free at the Hungarian Short Course Championships last November. His time of 14:44.74 in the 1500-meter free converts to a 1650-yard time of 14:39.46, which would have placed 10th at last year’s NCAA Championships. Arizona State hasn’t boasted an All-American in the mile since 2008.

The 1000 free is not contested at NCAAs, but the NCAA record in the event sits at 8:33.93, set by Clark Smith in 2015.

Last summer, Sarkany committed to Arizona State for this spring while the World Championships were taking place in Budapest, Hungary.

Sarkany’s big swim on Friday was one of several standout performances by Sun Devils against Stanford. Arizona State men posted the top 200 medley relay time in the nation (1:22.60), fifth-year senior Grant House clocked an NCAA-leading time of 1:31.51 in the 200 free, and French star Leon Marchand dazzled with a 23.10 breast split on the victorious 200 medley relay team, a 51.15 to win the 100 breast, a 1:49.16 to win the 200 breast, and a 1:38.89 to win the 200 IM.

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80sSunDevil
1 year ago

Respect for Scott Brackett’s 39 year old record also in a dual meet, unshaved, and obviously no tech suit then. Still a solid time today.

Andrew N
1 year ago

His last name means “Dragon”. That’s dope

thezwimmer
1 year ago

might want to check the rankings for the 1000 a second time…

Noah
Reply to  thezwimmer
1 year ago

Texas men + Charlie Clark have definitely been 8:50 range or faster this szn

dscott
Reply to  Noah
1 year ago

True, but the article is accurate. Zalan stands third behiind Johnston and Clark, but .06 ahead of Texas Freshman Enyeart.

PFA
1 year ago

From Braden’s Twitter:

Minakov 19.8 fly split *pew*
Marchand 23.1 breast split *pew*
Az St 1:22.60 2medley *pew*
House 1:31.5 200 free *pew*
Sarkany debut breaking a record that has stood for 40 years *pew*
Gretchen Walsh 50.07 100 back *pew*
Marchand 1:49.1 200 breast *pew pew*

Long live dual meets.

Former Big10
1 year ago

ASU swam fast. Looked to be some long suits

dscott
Reply to  Former Big10
1 year ago

All suited, Stanford too.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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