2024 MEN’S BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Dates: February 28 – March 2, 2024
- Location: McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion – Columbus, Ohio
- Defending champions: Indiana (2x)
- SCY (25 yards)
- Championship Central
- Live Results
- Live Video
- Day 1 Finals Live Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Live Recap | Day 2 Finals Live Recap
- Day 3 Prelims Live Recap | Day 3 Finals Live Recap
- Day 4 Prelims Live Recap | Day 4 Finals Live Recap
The Indiana men captured their third Big Ten title in a row but had numerous swimmers on the non-scoring roster make waves at the meet.
Highlighting the team’s non-scoring roster was senior Tristan DeWitt. DeWitt’s biggest swim came on the final day as he swam a time that would have placed 5th in the 1650 freestyle. DeWitt touched in a 14:52.92, faster than his previous personal best of a 15:00.62 that he swam at midseason. DeWitt’s time in the 1650 free currently sits at #27 in the NCAA this season.
DeWitt also would have earned a spot in the ‘B’ final as he swam the 10th fastest time of the morning touching in a personal best of a 4:18.81. That was faster than his old best time of a 4:21.18 from midseason. DeWitt only competed in two events at 2024 Big Tens.
DeWitt notably changed his lineup from Big Tens as he swam the 200 IM, 400 IM, and the 1650 free a year ago. He finished 14th in the 1650 free at 2023 Big Tens and made the C final of the 400 IM.
Also highlighting Indiana’s non-scoring roster was freshman Dylan Smiley. Smiley had the 9th fastest time in prelims of the 100 fly swimming a personal best of a 46.07. That was a best time by over a second as his previous best was a 47.12 from high school.
Smiley also had the 12th fastest time of the morning in the 200 fly as he swam a best time of a 1:44.36, faster than his old best time of a 1:46.25 that he also swam in high school. Smiley’s 200 IM personal best time of a 1:45.12 from prelims would have made the C final as it was the 18th fastest swim of the morning. Smiley had four personal best times at the meet as he also time trialed the 100 free swimming a 42.99, a time that would have been 9th in prelims of the real event at the meet.
Other notable swims:
- Indiana’s Armando Vegas had the 8th fastest 200 fly of the morning as he swam a 1:42.87, just off his personal best. He notably time trialed the event at the meet and was half a second faster swimming a 1:42.27, a time that would have been 7th in the final.
- In the 400 IM, Indiana’s Lucas Piunti swam a personal best of a 3:45.46 for the 8th fastest time of the morning, faster than his 3:47.41 from a year ago.
- Benson Wong of Indiana would have made the B final of the 200 breast after swimming the 11th fastest time of the morning with a 1:55.90, faster than his old personal best of a 1:56.41
- Ohio State’s Shaw Satterfield had the 11th fastest time in the morning with a 1:35.65 200 freestyle. That was the 3rd fastest 200 free of the morning for the Buckeyes.
- Yousuf Al-Matrooshi of Michigan swam a personal best of a 43.17 in prelims of the 100 free, the 11th fastest of the morning. His previous best was a 44.46 from November’s midseasons.
Sophomore Alejandro Kincaid’s double on the last day of the meet (1 of 3 to swim both events in prelims) included a 1:43.8 in the 200 Back and 1:45.01 in the 200 Fly, both times would have put him in their respective B Finals.
I know a guy on the nonscoring team last year that would have made the A final. I think the lower number of athletes is crap and tell everyone to avoid big 10.
Armando Vegas’ 1:42.27 in the 200 fly might also get an invite if Leon Marchand and McGahey choose not to swim it…pending, of course, the PAC12 meet, wherein most of the hotshots are already under 1:42.
The fact that Indiana won by almost 300 while leaving four A finalists off the scoring roster is crazy
The swim portion of IU is way deeper than normal this year. Diving is of the usual dominance. Brooks/Yep/Van Westering//Barnett/Miroslaw could all be double digit scorers with others adding even more points that didnt score last year. Should be enough to compensate for Hafnaoui leaving
But aren’t those two things highly correlated — i.e., a team that is so good that 4 major scorers don’t even make the conf squad is probably going to win big.
Lucas Piunti, a dynamic and skilled individual, left an indelible mark with his extraordinary performance at Big 10s. His prowess on the field was nothing short of awe-inspiring, showcasing a blend of precision and strategic brilliance that captivated both fans and opponents alike. Piuntis agility and calculated moves created an electric atmosphere, earning him accolades and admiration. His stellar performance not only reflected his dedication to the sport but also solidified his place as a standout player in the competitive landscape of Big 10s, leaving spectators eager to witness more of his exceptional talent in the future.
Lucas Piunti was also a big shooter at B1Gs. A final potential in the 400 IM (3.45.2) and he is known for improving in finals. I think the IU squad is doing a great job and all of their swimmers deserve more credit. Bring back 24 scoring roster !!!!!
Unfortunately, never going to happen!
That should get DeWitt an invite in the 1,650, right? Tough to be left of the scoring roster as a senior, but a trip to NCAAs would be a great way to cap a career.
You know he had to Dewitt to em