Speed Show Set For GAC Invitational as ASU, N.C. State Ready to Battle (See ‘A’ Cuts Already Secured)
This weekend, multiple teams will head to Greensboro, North Carolina, to compete at the GAC Invitational. Two of the most exciting teams in the country will be there, N.C. State and ASU, and the only four swimmers to secure an “A” cut before the midseason invites are also competing.
Here is the list of the swimmers who won’t need to worry about securing an “A” cut this weekend.
Kacper Stokowski, N.C. State
100 Backstroke – 44.48
At the ASU-N.C. State dual meet, Stokowksi, a fiftth-year senior for the Wolfpack, touched in 44.48 to win the 100 back, which was also good enough to secure his first individual “A” cut on the season. He dominated a stacked heat that saw five swimmers go under 46.71. Stokowski finished second at NCAAs last season in 43.86 and will be a heavy favorite at GAC this weekend.
Luke Miller, N.C. State
100 Butterfly – 44.17
Miller blasted a new best time of 44.17 in the 100 fly at the Duke-Georgia-N.C. State meet, and this looks like the year we’re going to see Miller shine in not only long-course meters but also in yards. Miller has to be one of the most underrated swimmers in the country based on his ability, and if he puts it all together at the right time, he’ll be a significant point scorer for the Wolfpack come March.
Believe it or not, Miller has only made one individual NCAA “A” final in his career: his 1:31.16 in the 200 free in 2022.
In his other events this year, he has been 19.18 in the 50 free, 41.65 in the 100 free, 44.17 in the 100 fly and 1:41.40 in the 200 fly.
If Miller keeps it up, there’s a high likelihood you could see him in three individual championship finals at NCAAs.
The GAC could be an exciting meet for Miller, and we could see a Kharun and Miller showdown in the 100 fly.
Ilya Kharun, Arizona State
200 Butterfly – 1:40.07
Kharun continues to exceed expectations in his first year for the Sundevils. The Canadian star has been sub-1:41 in the 200 fly three different times this season, including meets in September, October, and November. His most recent time was a 1:40.07, in which he secured his “A” Cut vs USC on November 4.
Seeing how Kharun performs in his first collegiate invite will be interesting, and at GAC he’ll have a shot at titles in the 100 and 200 fly.
Léon Marchand, Arizona State
200 Butterfly – 1:39.65; 400 IM – 3:37.96
The best swimmer on the planet wasted no time securing his “A” cuts. In a dual meet vs. UNLV on October 6, Marchand went 1:39.65 in the 200 fly and 3:37.96 in the 400 IM, securing two “A” cuts. I’d fully expect Marchand to do Marchand things this weekend. If you forgot what he did at the last GAC Invitational, here is a reminder:
1:39.57 – 200 Fly
3:33.65 – 400 IM
1:39.28 – 200 IM
That 200 fly is No. 2 in history at ASU, and only two people on planet earth have swum faster than a 3:33.65 400 IM.
Now, with his best time being 1:36.34 in the 200 IM and 3:28.82 in the 400 IM, it will be very intriguing to see what we get out of Marchand this weekend. However, no matter the time, don’t take what you see from Marchand for granted because every time he jumps in the water, it’s truly special.
Thank you for the correction, Paul.