Sun Devils set to host intense Olympian showdown between nation’s top teams

(Photo: Casey McNulty/Sun Devil Athletics)

TEMPE – About three months post-Olympic games, Arizona State will host a reunion for the world’s best collegiate Olympic swimmers. The two-day dual on Thursday and Friday between Arizona State, the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford University will showcase a host of Olympians and be the Devils’ toughest matchup yet.

Combined, each of the three teams will present a large group of Olympians. Beginning with Arizona State, the Sun Devil men boast three Paris Olympians: senior Tiago Behar, sophomore Ilya Kharun and freshman Tolu Young. Kharun earned two bronze medals in Paris in his signature butterfly events and will be a key performer in the 100- and 200-yard butterfly.

The Devils will face intense competition from the Golden Bears’ Olympic squad, led by senior Jack Alexy, who won a gold and silver medal for Team USA in Paris. Another Golden Bear Olympian who represented the Stars and Stripes is Arizona-native sophomore Keaton Jones. Jones will be an asset for the Golden Bears in the backstroke events, as he took fifth in the 200-meter backstroke in Paris.

For the Cardinal, sophomore Jonathan Tan represented Singapore in Paris in the sprint freestyle events. Also, senior Ron Polonsky competed for Israel in Paris in the 200-meter individual medley and 100-meter breaststroke, posing a threat to both the Devils and the Golden Bears in those events on Thursday and Friday.

There is also a fair share of Olympians on the women’s teams. For the Sun Devils, junior Deniz Ertan competed in the 800-meter freestyle for Turkey in the Tokyo Olympics and has established herself as one of the top distance swimmers in the NCAA.

Senior Leah Polonsky and freshman Mary-Ambre Moluh will represent the Golden Bears’ Olympic standouts. Leah competed for Israel in Paris like her brother Ron, who currently swims for Stanford. Ambre Moluh made her Olympic debut for France in Paris in the 400-meter freestyle relay and 400-meter medley relay, each of which finished sixth.

However, the star Olympian on the women’s side is redshirt junior Torri Huske for the Cardinal. Huske was Team USA’s powerhouse in Paris, scoring three gold and two silver medals. The redshirt junior also helped set two world records in Paris, one in the women’s 400-meter medley relay and the mixed 400-meter medley relay.

Olympians aside, this meet will serve as a much-anticipated rematch for the Cal men, as they will have the opportunity to take on their longtime rival in the Sun Devil men after tying in their dual meet last year and finishing third at the NCAA Championships. Although the Cardinal men do not pose as much of a threat as the Golden Bears do to the Devils, they can use the talents of their Olympians to upset the Devils in the breaststroke and individual medley events.

The Sun Devil women are the projected weakest team amongst the three in this dual, but they have had a promising season so far. With multiple school record-setting swims early in the season, they have a good shot at keeping pace with the Cardinal and the Golden Bears. However, the primary battle on the women’s side will be between Cal and Stanford, with Stanford currently having an edge because of the prowess of Huske.

In general, fans can expect exhilarating swims from some top athletes worldwide. From dual meet ties to passing the national championship back and forth, the Devils have their work cut out for them among the nation’s top teams.