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Leon Marchand Clocks 4:07.81 500 Free To Become #5 Performer Of All-Time

ARIZONA STATE VS. ARIZONA

  • Saturday, February 4, 2023
  • SCY (25 yards)
  • Mona Plummer Aquatic Center, Tempe, Arizona
  • Live Results Under “Arizona State vs. Arizona” on MeetMobil

During the same ASU vs. Arizona dual meet where he swam a nation-leading 100 back, Leon Marchand went on to clock a suited 4:07.81 in the 500 free, setting the nation’s top time and becoming the fifth-fastest performer of time. His swim was his first-ever 500-yard free race.

In addition, Marchand’s swim means that he has officially completed a perfect pre-championship season, meaning in the 2022-23 season he didn’t lose a single individual race prior to conferences or NCAAs.

All-Time Top Performers, Men’s 500-Yard Free:

  1. Kieran Smith, Florida — 4:06.32 (2020)
  2. Matt Sates, Georgia — 4:06.61 (2022)
  3. Jake Magahey, Georgia — 4:06.71 (2021)
  4. Zane Grothe, Auburn — 4:07.25 (2017)
  5. Leon Marchand, ASU — 4:07.81 (2023)
  6. Townley Haas, Texas — 4:08.19 (2019)

Marchand now leads the NCAA in 7 out of the 13 individually contested championship events, which means he has more NCAA-leading championship events than the rest of the country combined. He also has nation-leading times in all four strokes, plus IM.

Leon Marchand, Nation-Leading Times, 2022-23 NCAA season:

  • 100 back: 44.77
  • 100 breast: 51.01
  • 200 breast: 1:48.82
  • 200 fly: 1:39.57
  • 200 IM: 1:38.89
  • 400 IM: 3:31.84 (NCAA record)
  • 500 free: 4:07.81

In fact, Marchand was nearly on pace with Kieran Smith‘s NCAA and US Open record for the first 400 yard of the race, but Smith closed over a second faster on his final 100. That being said, the fact that Marchand swam one of the fastest 500 frees of all-time in a dual meet means that he clearly has a shot of taking down Smith’s record if he races the event more in the future.

Kieran Smith, 2020 SECs Leon Marchand, 2023
100y 47.28 47.16
200y 49.80 50.16
300y 50.27 50.03
400y 49.90 50.17
500y 49.07 50.29
Total 4:06.32 4:07.81

Two weeks ago, Marchand’s head coach Bob Bowman told SwimSwam that Marchand had swam a 4:18 500 free unsuited at the end of practice on a push, a swim that was an indication of his eventual success in the event.

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swimfast
1 year ago

Stfu. I thought this was his weak stroke…

Faulty Touch Pad
1 year ago

This is Marchand’s ONLY recorded 500 freestyle…. literally his first time ever swimming this and goes a #5 all-time performance. That is absolutely bonkers

SwimJim
1 year ago

The best part of the swim (besides the swim) was DUNCAN SCOTT’s commentary – rock star!!!

robert kravutske
1 year ago

I remember then mark spitz held the record…..set at michigan state….4:33……back in the 1840’s…….er..late 60;s…

dscott
Reply to  robert kravutske
1 year ago

Sorry, Robert. Mark broke the 4:37.00 record held jointly by Mike Burton (3 Golds over 2 Olympiads) and Greg Buckingham(Olympic Silver 200 IM; WR in both 200 IM and 400 IM) by swimming 4:33.20 as a freshman at Indiana in a home NCAA meet in Bloomington, Indiana in 1969.

robert kravutske
1 year ago

hay….dont rub it in……arizona has a ncaa title….sun devils?????……waiting…..

SwimJim
Reply to  robert kravutske
1 year ago

UOFA – unless they make MAJOR changes – will NEVER GET BACK

Daaaave
1 year ago

Lost among Marchand’s otherworldly exploits is the absolute butt-whooping ASU handed UofA. Individually, the wildcat men collected three bronzes…that’s it…no silvers, even in relays. Even the ASU women mopped the deck. One Arizona woman placed second, as did the relays. Otherwise 1-2 finishes across the board. I honestly think Emory did better vs. UGA than UofA did vs. ASU.

Tanner
Reply to  Daaaave
1 year ago

Okay

Marmot
Reply to  Tanner
1 year ago

I mean, that is an absolute other-worldly butt whooping. Can’t deny it, and it’s shocking to see spelled out like that. Effin’ Woof.

SwimJim
Reply to  Daaaave
1 year ago

Time for a coach change at The U

Blastman
Reply to  Daaaave
1 year ago

The times UofA put up weren’t terrible, ASU was clicking on all cylinders and would’ve beaten many Division 1 teams badly that day. ASU would be my early favorite to win NCAA’s, but there’s still conference and taper to come from many good teams.
This was a very impressive performance by the ASU men’s and women’s teams, not just Marchand. {Who could be the next Phelps}.

Blastman
Reply to  Blastman
1 year ago

Plus the UofA team was dealing with the sad passing of Ty Wells on Jan. 27.

DKDevil
Reply to  Blastman
1 year ago

Yes. We had a nice moment of silence for Ty and the UofA swimmers had “TW” written on their shoulders.

Chris
1 year ago

Next goats could be this guy for men and summer M for women.

Chris
1 year ago

deadliest male swimmer in the world right now. His times are DIRTY. I’m afraid of him actually.

Horninco
Reply to  Chris
1 year ago

Wow, quite the comment and shocked it hasn’t been moderated

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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