NCAA Men’s Championships: 5 Races to Watch as Multiple Records Are in Danger

NCAA Men’s Championships: 5 Races to Watch as Multiple Records Are in Danger

The bright lights are finally ready to shine for the second straight week at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, with the NCAA Men’s Division I Championships slated for Wednesday through Saturday. Previusly, we covered the top five races to watch for at the women’s meet. Now, we take a look at the men’s meet, counting down five races that should be can’t-miss events.

5. 100 Breaststroke

Photo Courtesy: University of Florida Athletics

There might not be a better story in college swimming this season than Florida’s Julian Smith. The senior has been a solid breaststroker throughout his career, but he has enjoyed a massive breakout this season, shocking the swimming world by smashing the NCAA Record in the 100 Breast(49.51). He enters NCAAs as the favorite in this event, primed to make history once again. But the margin for error is slim.

Indiana’s Finlay Brooks joined Smith in the sub-50 club this season, and sits just 0.43 behind. The Big Ten champ would join a long line of Indiana success in the 100 breast with a win, joining Ian Finnerty and Cody Miller on the record board. Additionally, silver and bronze medalists from 2024, Brian Benzing (Indiana) and Denis Petrashov (Louisville) return, and are just a second off of the two favorites. Additional 2024 A finalists Carles Coll Marti (Virginia Tech), Ron Polonsky (Stanford), and Josh Matheny (Indiana) also return.

4. 200 Individual Medley

This event could produce one of the tightest fields in recent memory. Smith comes in as the favorite, off winning the SEC in 1:39.38. Indiana junior Owen McDonald sits right behind him, though, at 1:39.89, with last year’s champion Destin Lasco (Cal) also sure to factor now that he’ll be rested. Behind McDonald, there are six swimmers at 1:40, a time which would’ve made the A final a year ago. The event will also feature Gal Groumi (Michigan), Carles Coll Marti (Virginia Tech), Texas’ Hubert Kos and Luca Urlando of Georgia. Perhaps college swimming’s deepest event, the 200 IM should be an absolute show. 

3. 200 Backstroke

Destin Lasco

Hubert Kos owned the 200 Back in 2024. The Hungarian captured both an Olympic title and a world championship, cementing his headliner status in the event. And yet, there’s one major meet in which the Texas junior has yet to win the event: NCAAs. Cal’s Lasco edged Kos to win the race a year ago. The grad student returns to defend his title, setting up yet another epic showdown between the two. Kos’ former teammate and 2024 bronze medalist McDonald will also compete, as well as fourth-place finisher Florida’s Jonny Marshall, who beat out Kos at SECs just weeks ago. Any of the top four could have a shot at winning in this one.

2. 100 Butterfly

Last year, Florida’s Josh Liendo put the nation on notice in the 100 fly. The Florida junior won in 43.07, just 0.27 off his Florida predecessor Caeleb Dressel’s legendary record. But Luca Urlando, the NCAA record holder in the 200 fly, is seeded just .4 behind the Gator. Urlando might not have the same power Liendo does, but his impeccable underwaters should make it an incredible race.

Arizona State’s Ilya Kharun sits just 0.2 off Urlando, and Kharun was the Olympic bronze medalist to Liendo’s silver last summer. Grad students Luke Miller (N.C. State) and Youssef Ramadan (Virginia Tech) could factor, as they placed third and fourth a year ago. The top of this event is faster than ever before, with Dressel’s record potentially hanging in the balance.

1. 100 Freestyle

Seven years ago, Caeleb Dressel made history when the Florida sprinter broke 40 seconds in the 100 free. In the years since, no sprinter has touched Dressel’s record. But this year could be different. Last year’s champ, Liendo, returns, and was just .3 seconds off breaking Dressel’s record a year ago. However, Tennessee’s Jordan Crooks will be a force as well. Crooks turned heads this winter by becoming the first man to break 20 seconds in the SCM 50 freestyle, and could be a threat to break both Dressel’s 50 and 100 NCAA records.

Liendo and Crooks are likely the favorites, but the rest of the field can’t be counted out. Cal’s Jack Alexy and Texas’ Chris Giuliano have had a plethora of success on the global stage, finaling in the event at the Olympics in Paris. Tennessee’s Gui Caribe returns after a silver medal last year, while Arizona State’s Jonny Kulow is another serious contender.