Ilya Kharun’s Path to a Historic NCAA Championships
Arizona State senior Ilya Kharun has been one of the most successful swimmers during his time in the NCAA. Going into his senior season, Kharun will look to achieve things that only a few have achieved before. After strong performances this past summer, Kharun will look to carry that momentum into his final collegiate season. Kharun will most likely swim the 50 free, 100 fly, and 200 fly as he has in his previous three seasons, and he should be the favorite in all three events.
Here is a look at what Kharun is chasing.
100 Butterfly
With Florida’s Josh Liendo now graduated, Kharun will look to take advantage of an opening in the 100 butterfly. Previously, Kharun has finished fifth, second, and third, respectively, in the 100 fly at the NCAA Championships. His best time of 42.92 leaves him as the fourth-fastest performer in history.
Kharun will be a big favorite in the 200 fly, an event that he has won twice previously. The 100 fly is the tougher task. If he can pull off the 100 and 200 victories, then he will become the only swimmer in the last 10 years to pull off this double. The last person to accomplish the feat was Joseph Schooling in 2016.
Kharun’s biggest threat in this event should be Thomas Heilman, the sophomore from Virginia. In 2026, Heilman finished fourth in a time of 43.58. After taking a big step forward in his yards performance last season, it would be no surprise to see him dip into the 42 range.
Kharun’s best shot at winning the 100 is to use his front-end speed. His 50 fly is the fastest in history, and it is a strength that must be utilized, especially considering Heilman is more of a back-half swimmer. With a win, Kharun will also become the first male in Arizona State history to win this event at the NCAA Championships.
200 Butterfly
Kharun will come into the 200 fly as the defending champion and the favorite once again. He also won this event in 2024, his freshman season. Kharun’s 2026 winning time of 1:37.66 leaves him as the third-fastest performer in history.
Again, Heilman emerges as his primary challenger. Heilman was the runnerup to Kharun at the 2026 championships, and he is the sixth-fastest performer in NCAA history. Already giving him a scare last year, Heilman will look to win his first NCAA title in his signature event.
With a win in the 200 fly, Kharun could become only the fourth swimmer in history to win this event three or more times. Jack Kasley of Michigan won the event from 1935-1937, Pablo Morales of Stanford won from 1984-1987, and Ugur Taner of California won from 1994-1996. Kasley won the event when it was a hybrid breaststroke.
Kharun would have to take a different path than the other three who won their titles in consecutive years. A victory in 2027 would leave him with wins in 2024, 2026, and 2027. He finished third in 2025 behind Luca Urlando and Dare Rose.
Urlando’s record of 1:36.43 will be a tough task for Kharun. He will need to drop over a second in order to threaten the mark. Like the 100, he will need to attack the front half of this race, not only to break the record, but to hold off what will be a charging Heilman.
50 Freestyle
When most people look at Ilya Kharun, the 50 free is not the first event that pops into their mind, but his great speed and underwaters make him a threat in any sprint race. With Josh Liendo and Gui Caribe both graduating, Kharun comes into this season as the favorite. Last year’s championships saw Kharun finish third behind Liendo and Caribe.
Kharun’s biggest threat will be North Caroline State senior Quintin McCarty. McCarty had a big summer in the 50 free. He finished fourth at the Pan Pacific Championships, and earlier in the summer he swam a time of 21.43, good for ninth in the world. The long course 50 free and the short course 50 free are two very different events, and Kharun will use a heavy dose of underwaters in order to win this race.
Kharun has a best time of 18.24. That leaves him as the fifth-fastest performer in history. If Kharun can find a little more speed on top of the water, he may be able to reach the historic 17-second territory, which has only been accomplished by two people.
Being the favorite in all three events is no small task, but as a two-time Olympic medalist, Kharun knows how to handle the pressure. If he comes through in all three, there is no reason why he won’t be the CSCAA Men’s Swimmer of the Year.