Sárkány Sets NCAA Record in 1,000 Free

Wednesday, March 25

Atlanta, Ga.

10 a.m.

Indiana University

NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships - Prelims

3/25/2026 9:30:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving

Results (PDF)

Hoosiers Record Four Podium Finishes on Opening Night

ATLANTA – Indiana senior Zalán Sárkány recorded the fastest 1,000-yard freestyle in collegiate swimming history on Wednesday (March 25) night, splitting an 8:33.10 during his NCAA runner-up performance in the 1,650-yard freestyle.

IU now owns the NCAA record in the men's 1,000 free in addition to Lilly King's 100-yard breaststroke standard from 2019 (55.73). Texas' Clark Smith previously held the 1,000-yard free mark with an 8:33.93 in 2015.

Earning his third consecutive medal in the 1,650 free, Sárkány dropped over nine seconds from his personal best time to record a Big Ten and program record with a 14:12.20 – 12 hundredths off the previous NCAA record. Florida's Ahmed Jaouadi won the event in 4:10.03, denying Sárkány's bid for a third straight NCAA title.

Sárkány was one of two Hoosiers to reach the podium in the mile, as sophomore Luke Whitlock placed sixth with a 14:34.30. Indiana ranks tied for first in the team standings after three events thanks to its multiple finishes in the mile as well as from both relays.

"Great first night for the Hoosiers," IU head swimming coach Ray Looze said. "Two outstanding miles by Luke and the Zalán – who set a Big Ten record – and two fantastic relays. I loved how aggressive we were tonight. We have good momentum for tomorrow morning."

Indiana's opening night relays set the tone for the week, dropping time and improving on their seeds.

In the 200-yard medley relay, IU came into the week as the No. 8 seed with a 1:21.99 but improved with a fourth place finish and a time of 1:21.12 – ranking No. 2 in program history. Sophomore Miroslav Knedla led off with a personal best 20.36, followed by sophomore Travis Gulledge's 22.73. Senior Owen McDonald contributed a 19.77 on the fly leg, and junior Mikkel Lee brought it home with an 18.26.

Indiana closed the night with a sixth place performance in the 800-yard freestyle relay, finishing with a time of 6:07.66. The Hoosiers kept fairly consistent splits on each leg between junior Aaron Shackell (1:31.77), McDonald (1:31.64), sophomore Raekwon Noel (1:32.64) and junior Dylan Smiley (1:31.61).

RESULTS
1,650 FREESTYLE
2. Zalán Sárkány – 14:12.20 (NCAA Silver, Big Ten Record, Program Record, Personal Best, First-Team All-America)

Zalán Sárkány (1,000-yard split) – 8:33.10 (NCAA Record, Big Ten Record, Program Record, Personal Best)

6. Luke Whitlock – 14:34.30 (First-Team All-America)
22. Luke Ellis – 14:58.38

200 MEDLEY RELAY
4. Miroslav Knedla, Travis Gulledge, Owen McDonald, Mikkel Lee – 1:21.12 (First-Team All-America)

800 FREESTYLE RELAY
6. Aaron Shackell, Owen McDonald, Raekwon Noel, Dylan Smiley – 6:07.66 (First-Team All-America)

UP NEXT
Indiana will compete in the 100-yard butterfly, 400-yard IM, 200-yard freestyle, 200-yard freestyle relay and 1-meter springboard events on day two of the NCAA Championships Thursday. Prelims begin at 10 a.m. ET, followed by finals at 6 p.m.

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