NCAA Swimming: After Gretchen Walsh, Cal’s Destin Lasco Breaks the American Record

When the Paris Olympics swimming trials are waiting at the corner, the NCAA swimming battles have risen to be the perfect training ground for youngsters. In the ongoing American program meets, spearheads such as Leon Marchand have appeared to decimate each standing record in the university swimming book. So in such highly competitive pool events, the university attendees have preferred to go beyond their prowess to etch their names.

Destin Lasco has come out to be one such representative. In the 200-yard free NCAA swimming events, his prowess is unrivaled. However, in keeping the momentum intact, at this moment, the Cal attendee raged in a unique event. 

Destin Lasco’s day in the American record book, once again 

When UVA junior Gretchen Walsh had her best NCAA swimming performance a few days ago in Georgia, the expectations for the season heightened. Later, it was 21-year-old French swimmer Leon Marchand who outshined. Now it looks like, after Marchand’s performances, it was time for Cal senior Destin Lasco to own the platform.

Last evening, in IUPUI Natatorium, the swimmer battered the 200-yard IM record. He took 1:37.91 to end the NCAA swimming battle in the pool. Meanwhile, USA Swimming’s X-handle has spoken highly of the performance, comparing it to history in the making. “History in the making [emoji] Destin Lasco just went 1:37.91 for a new American Record in the 200-yard IM!”

In the meantime, several more records were on the tatters after Lasco landed in the pool. En route to creating the 200-yard NCAA swimming record, Lasco broke his own American record made last year. At that time, it ticked the timing of 1:38.10. However, the Cal senior’s timing last evening was insufficient to erase an ASU junior’s record.

The NCAA swimming is all about glittering

The NCAA championship record is still in the stronghold of Leon Marchand. Last year, he swam in the record time of 1:36.34 in the 200-yard IM event. Moreover, last evening Lasco’s splits’ clocking looked slightly glimmering compared to Frenchman’s NCAA record in the same event. But that couldn’t belittle Lasco’s performance as the American brought another glory to his program this NCAA swimming season. 

This time the NCAA championship belongs to the youthful faces and their records. Destin Lasco is one of that ambitious bunch. Just before erasing the American record in the 200-yard IM, he contributed in the 800-yard free relay on the first day of battle. Combined with Gabriel Jett, Jack Alexy, and Robin Hanson, the relay squad claimed the relay title, posting records for Cal. That day, a serious comparison was in place for the 23-year-old swimmer. 

Also read: Leon Marchand and Sun Devils Teammates Dominate Pac-12 Conference With Impressive Numbers