By Spencer Penland on SwimSwam
2026 Big 12 Conference Championships (MEN’S FAN GUIDE)
Dates: Tuesday, February 24–Saturday, February 28 Location: Greensboro Aquatic Center, Greensboro, NC Defending champions: Arizona State women (1x); Arizona State men (1x) Live Results Live Video Championship Central SwimSwam Fan Guide Teams: Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Cincinnati, Houston (women), Iowa State (women), Kansas (women), Texas Christian, Utah, West Virginia Record Book: Men Women 2025 ResultsSchedule
Tuesday, Feb. 24th
200 medley relay Women’s team diving 800 freestyle relay Men’s team divingWednesday, Feb. 25th
Women’s 1-meter diving (5:15 pm PT) 500 freestyle 200 IM 50 freestyle Men’s 3-meter divingThursday, Feb. 26th
Men’s 1-meter diving (5:15 pm PT) 100 butterfly 400 IM 200 freestyle Women’s 3-meter diving 400 medley relayFriday, Feb. 27th
200 butterfly 100 breaststroke 100 backstroke Men’s platform diving 200 freestyle relaySaturday, Feb. 28th
200 backstroke 100 freestyle 1650 freestyle 200 breaststroke Women’s platform diving 400 freestyle relay2025 Men’s Final Standings:
ASU — 1912 Arizona — 1301 Utah — 1153.5 TCU — 1088.5 BYU — 960 Cincinnati – 923 West Virginia – 570In their first year in the Big 12 Arizona State dominated, winning the men’s title by a little over 600 points. The Sun Devils won 4 out of 5 relays last year. It would have been 5-for-5, however, ASU was DQ’d for a false start on the 200 free relay.
Arizona came in 2nd last year, finishing about a 150 points ahead of West Virginia.
Swimmers To Watch
Arizona: Ralph Daleiden (Sr — free/fly), Tomas Lukminas (So — free), Haakon Naughton (Sr — fly/IM, Gage Dubois (Sr — diving), Duncan Henderson (Fr – Back)
Arizona came in 2nd last season and will be looking to repeat their top 2 finish this time around. Sophomore Tomas Lukminas made a statement last season as a freshman, finishing 6th in the 50 free with a 19.36. Lukminas then went on to take 3rd in the 200 free, where he clocked in at 1:32.44, and 3rd in the 100 free with a 41.97. Lukminas is coming in with a faster time than last year in the 50 free, 19.32, which ranks 8th in the conference this season. He’s also been 41.33 in the 100 free, which is 3rd in the conference this season. Lukminas tops out in the 200 free, where he’s already been 1:31.88 this year, entering the meet ranked 2nd in the Big 12.
Senior Ralph Daleiden is back for another great year for the Wildcats. Daleiden came in 4th in the 200 free last year, finishing right behind Lukminas. He also took 5th in the 100 free, and 17th in the 50 free. Daleiden is entering this year’s meet with a season best of 1:33.22 in the 200 free, which ranks 5th in the Big 12. He’s ranked 7th in the 100 free with his season best of 42.24, and is 13th in the 50 free with a 19.66.
Senior Haakon Naughton is another star returning for his final year with the Wildcats. Naughton is a premier flyer in the conference, having finished 3rd in the 100 fly at last year’s meet with a 44.94. He was also 2nd in the 200 fly last year, where he clocked a 1:40.67. His 3rd event is the 200 IM, where he went 1:44.68 for 10th. This year, Naughton enters the meet ranked 2nd in the conference with his season best of 44.80. He’s also 2nd in the 200 fly, where he’s already been 1:40.77 this season. Naughton also ranks 10th in the 200 IM this season with a 1:45.96.
Duncan Henderson is looking to make some noise in his freshman campaign. In his first season with the Wildcats, Henderson has already been 45.08 in the 100 back, which ranks 2nd in the Big 12 this year. Henderson has also been 1:43.94 in the 200 back, where he ranks 12th in the conference. He’s also a very good flyer, having already been 46.56 in the 100 fly this season, which ranks 11th in the conference.
Arizona has one of the top divers in the conference as well in Gage Dubois. Dubois took 6th in 1-meter last year, also finishing 2nd in 3-meter, and 6th in platform.
Arizona State: Ilya Kharun (Jr — fly/sprint free), Jonny Kulow (Sr — sprint free), Remi Fabiani (Gr — free/back), Andy Dobrzanski (Sr — breast), Adam Chaney (Gr – free/back)
Arizona State is clearly the class of the Big 12 conference now. They won the meet last year by over 600 points, and they should have a similar performance this season.
Once again, Ilya Kharun, one of the premier swimmers in the NCAA, is back for the Sun Devils. Kharun leads the Big 12 conference in the 50 free by a huge margin, having been 18.40 already this season. He came in 2nd last year with an 18.82, finishing behind teammate Jonny Kulow, who we’ll get to shortly. Kharun won the 100 fly in 44.13 last season, and he’s extremely likely to repeat that performance. Kharun has already been 43.38 in the event this season, which stands as the Big 12 record in the event. He also leads the conference in the 200 fly, where he’s already been 1:37.56 this year. Kharun was also the champion in the 200 fly last season, where he swam a 1:39.41.
Jonny Kulow is back for his senior season, and should be one of the fastest sprinters in the NCAA once again. As mentioned, Kulow won the 50 free last year with an 18.64, setting a new Big 12 meet record. This season, Kulow has been 18.82 in the 50, which ranks him 4th in the conference. Kulow was also the champion in the 100 free, where he set a new meet record with his time of 41.07. This season, he’s also ranked 4th in the conference with his season best of 41.54. Kulow was the runner-up in the 200 free last year a 1:32.41, and comes into the meet ranked 8th this season with a 1:34.12.
Remy Fabiani, a grad student, is yet another sprinter to be on the lookout for. Fabiani spent his undergrad at Cal Baptist. He looks primed to be huge for the Sun Devils, as he leads the Big 12 this season in the 200 free with his season best of 1:31.23. Fabiani also leads the conference in the 100 free, where he’s already been 41.10. In the 50 free, Fabiani comes into the meet ranked 3rd with his season best of 18.79.
The addition of Adam Chaney, another grad student, will be massive for ASU as well. Chaney, who spent his undergrad at Florida, currently leads the Big 12 this season in the 100 back with his season best of 44.13. Not only is he leading the conference, Chaney is the only swimmer under 45 seconds. Chaney has also been 1:39.59 in the 200 back this season, which stands as the 3rd-fastest time in the conference this season. Chaney is a phenomenal sprint freestyler as well, as he’s already been 18.92 in the 50 free, and 42.09 in the 100 free this season.
Senior Andy Dobrzanski returns as Arizona State’s top breaststroker. Last season, Dobrzanski won the 100 breast with a 51.75, taking the 200 breast as well (1:51.93). He also took 9th in the 200 IM last year. Dobrzanski has improved this season, and he leads the Big 12 in the 100 breast coming into the meet with a 51.00. He’s also gone a tick faster in the 200 breast, where he leads the conference with a 1:50.95.
BYU: Max Kleinman (So — fly/free), Payton Plumb (Sr — free), Tanner Nelson (Jr — IM/free), Peter Etzold (So – breast)
BYU cracked the top 5 last year, but finished just ahead of Cincinnati. Once again, junior Tanner Nelson should be one of BYU’s biggest contributors. Last year, Nelson, came in 5th in the 500 free with a 4:18.66. He also took 4th in the 400 IM (3:45.59), and 7th in the 200 breast (1:55.16). Nelson looks primed to have an even bigger meet this year. He comes into the meet ranked 3rd in the conference in the 500 free with his season best of 4:17.89. Nelson is ranked 4th in the 400 IM with a 3:44.51, while he comes in ranked 6th in the 200 breast with a 1:55.56.
Sophomore Max Kleinman is back and looking to build on a successful freshman campaign. Last year, Kleinman took 14th in the 100 fly, 11th in the 100 back, and 25th in the 100 free. This season, Kleinman has gained quite a bit of ground. Kleinman enters this meet ranked 13th in the conference in the 100 back with his season best of 46.63. He’s even better in the 100 fly, where he ranks 8th with his season best of 46.29. Kleinman has made the most ground in the 100 free, where he’s ranked 15th with a 43.10.
Senior Payton Plumb is back for his final season with BYU. Last year, Plumb took 10th in the 200 free, 20th in the 100 back, and 19th in the 100 free. This season, he enters the meet ranked 22nd in the 200 free with his season best of 1:36.08.
Another sophomore looking to build on his freshman campaign is Peter Etzold. Last year, Etzold came in 5th in the 100 breast with a 52.40. He also came in 10th in the 200 breast with a 1:56.13. Etzold enters the meet this year ranked 4th in the 100 breast in the conference with his season best of 52.37. He’s 5th in the 200 breast with his season best of 1:55.37.
Cincinnati: Aiden Gerst (Fr — back/IM), Kyle Bumgardner (Jr — breast/IM), Benson Wong (5th — breast), Ramez Diaa (So — diving)
Cincinnati came in 6th last year, but was just 37 points behind BYU, setting them up with the potential to move up in the standings this time around. Junior Kyle Bumgardner should be a huge contributor once again. Last year, Bumgardner took 5th in the 400 IM, swimming a 3:45.66. He also came in 6th in the 100 breast with a 52.87, and 4th in the 200 breast with a 1:54.03. This season, Bumgardner ranks 6th in the 200 breast with his season best of 1:55.56. He’s got work to do in the 100 breast, where he’s ranked 25th with his season best of 54.29. In the 400 IM, Bumgardner is currently ranked 9th in the conference with his season best of 3:48.27.
Cincy also gained 5th year Benson Wong, who looks like he’ll make some noise in the breaststroke events. Wong comes into the meet ranked 9th in the Big 12 in the 100 breast with his season best of 53.03. Wong is 8th in the conference in the 200 breast, where he’s already been 1:55.57 this season. Wong came to Cincy after spending his undergrad at Indiana.
Cincy freshman Aiden Gerst looks ready to show out in his first Big 12 Championships. Gerst comes into the meet ranked 9th in the 200 back in the conference, holding a season best of 1:42.95. Gerst has also already been 1:36.61 in the 200 free this season, which ranks 33rd in the conference. He also ranks 25th in the conference in the 500 free with his season best of 4:25.63.
sophomore diver Ramez Diaa looks like he should be a huge contributor for Cincy once again. Last year, Diaa finished 2nd in platform diving, and was a ‘B’ finalist in both 1-meter and 3-meter
TCU: Edgar Cicanci (Sr — back), Peter Horton (Sr — sprint free), Giannis Skaris (So — IM), Felipe Goncalves (Jr – breast)
TCU sees Edgar Cicanci return for his senior season. Last year, Cicanci came in 8th in the 100 back, clocking a 47.00. He was also a ‘B’ finalist in the 200 back, taking 11th with a 1:44.03. This season, Cicanci enters the meet ranked 12th in the 100 back, holding a season best of 46.54. He’s looking even better heading into the 200 back, where he’s currently ranked 5th in the conference with his season best of 1:42.39.
Senior Peter Horton looks like he should be able to build on last year’s performances. Horton tied for 14th in the 50 free last year with a 19.75. He was also a ‘C’ finalist in the 100 free, where he swam a 43.67. This season, Horton has already been 19.31 in the 50 free, which ranks him 7th in the conference. Horton has also gained ground in the 100 free, where he’s been 43.06 this season, which ranks 14th in the conference.
Junior Felipe Goncalves should be a huge contributor for the Horned Frogs as well. Last year, Goncalves came in 6th in the 200 breast with a 1:54.75. He also took 11th in the 100 breast (53.93), and 15th in the 200 IM (1:48.23). Goncalves has been 54.45 in the 100 breast this season, which only ranks him 28th in the conference, however, he’s faring much better in the 200 breast, where he’s ranked 9th with a season best of 1:56.07.
Sophomore Giannis Skaris is looking to build on a successful freshman campaign. At last year’s meet, Skaris came in 19th in the 400 IM with a 3:51.63. He also took 22nd in the 1650 free with a 15:35.17. This season, Skaris comes into the meet ranked 6th in the conference in the 400 IM with a 3:47.96.
Utah: Tim Rogersson (Fr – free), Nick Chirafisi (Jr – free), Jones Lambert (So – distance free), Brandon Miller (Sr – back/IM)
Utah came in 3rd last year, and is hoping some to move up to see if they can knock off Arizona for 2nd. They have the right mix of veteran swimmers and young talent to do it. One of their most impactful returning swimmers is junior Nick Chirafisi, who was spectacular for the Utes last season, Chirafisi came in 3rd in the 1650 free at last year’s meet, also taking 4th in the 500 free, and 11th in the 200 free.
Chirafisi looks primed to build on those performances, as he’s already gone a career best in the 200 free this season, 1:33.75, which ranks him 6th in the Big 12 this year. He’s improved in the 500 as well, having already gone 4:16.63, which lands him 2nd in the conference this season. On top of that, he enters this meet as the top seed in the 1650, holding a season best of 15:00.54.
Teammate Jones Lambert, a sophomore, will be right there with Chirafisi along the way. Lambert took 2nd in the 500 free at last year’s meet as just a freshman. He was also 7th in the 1650, and 13th in the 200 free. He’s already gained ground in the 1650 this season, holding a season best of 15:10.19, which ranks him 5th coming into the meet. He’s currently ranked 7th in the conference in the 500 free with his season best of 4:19.32. His 200 free season best of 1:35.22 puts him 16th heading into the meet.
Sticking with freestylers, freshman Tim Rogersson looks like a huge pickup for the Utes. Rogersson is Utah’s leading 100 freestyler this season, coming in with a season best of 43.34, which ranks him 17th in the conference. He’s even better in the 200 free, where he’s currently ranked 10th in the Big 12 with a 1:34.40. Rogersson’s 3rd event is the 50 free, where he’s only been 20.16 this season, but is Utah’s leading swimmer in the event.
Senior Brandon Miller should be big for Utah once again. Last season, Miller took 5th in the 200 back at the Big 12 Championships. He also finished 10th in the 400 IM, and 16th in the 500 free. Miller comes into the meet ranked 6th in the conference in the 200 back, where he’s been 1:42.44 this season. He’s also 5th in the 400 IM with a season best of 3:47.18.
West Virginia: Jake Salcedo (Fr – free), Szymon Mieczkowski (So – free/back), Erik Petruzzi (So – breast), Vedaant Madhavan (Jr – free)
West Virginia came in 7th by a healthy margin last season, but they have some young talent, which is reason to be optimistic they can better their score from last year. Erik Petruzzi was big for the Mountaineers last season as a freshman, making the ‘B’ final of the 100 breast, where he came in 12th. Petruzzi was also a ‘C’ finalist in the 200 breast, where he would ultimately finish 20th. Petruzzi is looking good this year in his sophomore campaign, as he’s already swum his career best of 53.77 in the 100 breast.
West Virginia also brought in sophomore Szymon Mieczkowski, who spent his freshman season at Kentucky. Mieczkowski looks like he could be a huge gain for the Mountaineers, as his season best of 46.44 in the 100 back currently ranks 9th in the conference. On top of that, his 200 back season best of 1:42.47 puts him 7th in the Big 12. When all is said and done, it looks like Mieczkowski could be West Virginia’s highest scoring swimmer.
Freshman Jake Salcedo could make some noise as well. Salcedo enters this meet ranked 17th in the conference in the 500 free, where he’s already been 4:23.80 this season. He’s also ranked 17th in the 1650 free with his season best of 15:32.37.
Another freestyler, Vedaant Madhavan, could be a big contributor for West Virginia. Madhavan comes into this meet ranked 10th in the 1650 in the conference this season, having already gone 15:19.43. He’s the leading Mountaineer in the 200 free as well this season, holding a season best of 1:36.20, which ranks him 24th in the conference.
Showdowns
200 Free:
The 200 free is shaping up to be an awesome race this year. Leading the way is Arizona State’s Remi Fabiani, who has been 1:31.23 this year, and Arizona’s Tomas Lukminas, who has been 1:31.88. Fabiani is new to the conference, as he spent his undergrad at Cal Baptist. Lukmias, meanwhile, is a sophomore, and has been swimming phenomenally this season. Lukminas came in 3rd in this event last year with a 1:32.44.
While Fabiani should probably be considered the favorite, ASU teammate Jonny Kulow is the fastest returner in this event from last year, having come in 2nd with a 1:32.41. Kulow, one of the top sprinters in the NCAA, has been 1:34.12 this season, but shouldn’t be counted out.
On top of all that, Arizona State also has Quin Seider and Filip Senc-Samardzic, who have been 1:32.33 and 1:32.43 respectively this season.
200 Back:
The 200 back also looks like it’s going to be a great race, as the Big 12 has already had 3 men go under 1:40 this year. ASU’s JT Ewing leads the way with a 1:39.00, while Arizona’s Alex Desangles has been 1:39.11, and ASU’s Adam Chaney has been 1:39.59. Interestingly enough, none of those 3 men were in this event last year, as none of them were in the conference. Ewing was at NC State, while Chaney was at Florida, and Desangles is a freshman this year. On top of that, all 3 swimmers’ season bests are also their career bests.
All things considered, Ewing has the advantage, though it’s slight.
SwimSwam Picks:
Arizona State Arizona UtahArizona State is clearly in the driver’s seat in the Big 12 this season. The only question really is if they’ll score more points than last year, and if they’ll take down relay records.
There could be a really good battle for 2nd between Arizona, Utah, TCU, and maybe even BYU. Arizona was 2nd last year and has a lot of senior talent this year, giving them a bit of an edge. Utah, has some very promising young swimmers, but is somewhat lacking in the sprint free department, which is critical to team success at conference meets. TCU and BYU have better top end sprinters than Utah, but perhaps lack some of the mid-level depth than can be critical to accumulating points at a conference meet.
Any of these teams could wind up taking 2nd if they get on a roll and ride that momentum.
Read the full story on SwimSwam: 2026 Men’s Big 12 Fan Guide: Arizona State Eyeing Relay Records in Bid to Repeat as Champions
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