ASU Men Break 200 Medley Relay Big 12 Meet Record with Historic Fly Split

Kharun's 18.89 fly leg propels ASU to a new conference mark, signaling their dominance heading into the rest of the championships.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:03am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the Arizona State men's 200 medley relay race, with overlapping geometric shapes and planes of vibrant blue, gold, and red colors representing the dynamic movements and energy of the event.Arizona State's record-breaking 200 medley relay performance signals their dominance and strategic approach to the Big 12 Championships.Greensboro Today

The Arizona State men's swimming team defended their Big 12 title in style, shattering the conference record in the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:20.96. The standout performance was highlighted by a historic 18.89 butterfly split from Ilya Kharun, which ranks among the fastest 50-yard fly splits ever recorded. This powerful start to the championships signals the Sun Devils' continued dominance in the pool.

Why it matters

Kharun's record-breaking fly split catapults him into the top 10 all-time list for the event, underscoring ASU's depth and the individual's breakout trajectory. The team's margin of victory over the previous record also highlights how far the program has come in a short time, even with the absence of some top sprinters in this relay. If ASU's full lineup, including Jonny Kulow, competes in the remaining relays, they could potentially challenge the overall NCAA record as well.

The details

In the 200 medley relay final, ASU's lineup consisted of Adam Chaney (20.45 leadoff), Andy Dobrzanski (23.20 breast), Ilya Kharun (18.89 fly), and Tommy Palmer (18.42 free). Kharun's 18.89 split was the joint fourth-fastest in history, powering ASU to a new Big 12 meet record of 1:20.96 - a full 0.20 seconds faster than their previous record from 2025. Arizona placed second with a 1:24.83, led by freshman Duncan Henderson's 20.84 leadoff.

  • The 2026 Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships took place from February 24-28 in Greensboro, North Carolina.
  • ASU's record-breaking performance in the 200 medley relay occurred on the first day of the meet, February 24.

The players

Ilya Kharun

A standout swimmer for the Arizona State men's team, Kharun posted a historic 18.89 split on the butterfly leg of the 200 medley relay, ranking among the fastest 50-yard fly splits ever recorded.

Adam Chaney

A transfer from Florida, Chaney led off the record-breaking 200 medley relay for ASU with a 20.45 split, setting the team up for success.

Andy Dobrzanski

Dobrzanski swam the breaststroke leg of the 200 medley relay for ASU, splitting 23.20 and helping the team establish a strong position.

Tommy Palmer

Palmer anchored the 200 medley relay for ASU, finishing the race with an 18.42 split and contributing to the team's record-breaking performance.

Duncan Henderson

A freshman swimmer for Arizona, Henderson led off the team's 200 medley relay with a 20.84 split, showcasing his potential for continued improvement.

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What they’re saying

“Ilya Kharun's 18.89 fly split was one of the fastest we've ever seen. It's a testament to the depth and talent of this ASU program, and they're just getting started.”

— Bob Bowman, Head Coach, Arizona State Swimming

“We knew coming in that this was going to be a battle, but our guys stepped up and delivered. I'm proud of the way they competed and set the tone for the rest of the meet.”

— Jeremy Kipp, Head Coach, Arizona State Men's Swimming

What’s next

With the 200 medley relay record now in their possession, the ASU men will look to continue their dominance in the remaining events at the Big 12 Championships. All eyes will be on Jonny Kulow and Remi Fabiani, two of the team's top sprinters, as they join the lineup for the 800 free relay and other events. The Sun Devils will aim to push the overall Big 12 and NCAA records even further as the meet progresses.

The takeaway

Arizona State's record-breaking performance in the 200 medley relay showcases the program's depth, talent, and strategic approach to the championships. Kharun's historic butterfly split, combined with the team's margin of victory, signals that the Sun Devils are poised to defend their Big 12 title and potentially challenge national records in the process.