The Big West Championships just got a whole lot more exciting! Friday night’s events added three new automatic NCAA qualifiers to the mix, bringing the total to seven and setting the stage for even more thrilling competition ahead. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: these swimmers didn’t just meet the standards—they smashed through them, with some times that have everyone talking.
Following Thursday’s impressive performances, where four swimmers secured NCAA qualifying times, Friday night continued the momentum. Let’s dive into the standout moments that had the crowd on the edge of their seats.
First up was Cal State Bakersfield’s Vili Sivec, who dominated the men’s 100-yard butterfly with a time of 45.91. While this was just three-tenths shy of his personal best from last year’s championships, it was still two-tenths under the NCAA standard of 46.11. Sivec’s performance highlights the razor-thin margins that separate good from great in competitive swimming.
Next, UC San Diego’s Asia Kozan made waves in the women’s 200-yard freestyle, clocking in at 1:45.52. This was just one hundredth of a second under the NCAA standard of 1:45.53—talk about precision! Kozan’s lifetime best of 1:45.15, set in March 2025, shows she’s on an upward trajectory and one to watch in future events.
And this is the part most people miss: UCSD’s Chloe Braun not only won the women’s 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 58.95 but did so by more than a second under the qualifying standard of 1:00.30. This marks the first time we’ve seen a swimmer come in under the 2025 invite time this season. Braun’s prelims time of 58.75 is currently the 17th fastest in the country, and it’s almost certain she would have earned a traditional invite regardless. Her consistency and speed are undeniable.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Hawaii’s Karol Ostrowski swam an NCAA standard time in the men’s 100-yard backstroke en route to his conference title. However, since he’s already earned an invite, his time doesn’t add to the qualifier count. This raises the question: Should swimmers who’ve already qualified be allowed to compete in multiple events, potentially taking spots from others? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
New Women’s Qualifiers
| Swimmer Name | School | Conference | Event | Time | 2025 Invite Time |
|--------------------|--------------|------------|----------|---------|---------------|
| Asia Kozan | UC San Diego | Big West | 200 Free | 1:45.52 | 1:44.74 |
| Chloe Braun | UC San Diego | Big West | 100 Breast | 58.95 | 59.51 |
New Men’s Qualifiers
| Swimmer Name | School | Conference | Event | Time | 2025 Invite Time |
|--------------|--------|------------|------|------|---------------|
| Vili Sivec | CSUB | Big West | 100 Fly | 45.91 | 45.12 |
Women’s NCAA Qualifiers as of 2/13
| Swimmer Name | School | Conference | Event | Time | 2025 Invite Time |
|--------------|--------------|------------|----------|---------|---------------|
| Eva Boehlke | UC San Diego | Big West | 200 IM | 1:57.43 | 1:56.69 |
| Holly Nelson | Hawaii | Big West | 50 Free | 22.28 | 22.01 |
| Asia Kozan | UC San Diego | Big West | 200 Free | 1:45.52 | 1:44.74 |
| Chloe Braun | UC San Diego | Big West | 100 Breast | 58.95 | 59.51 |
Men’s NCAA Qualifiers as of 2/13
| Swimmer Name | School | Conference | Event | Time | 2025 Invite Time |
|-----------------|--------|------------|----------|---------|---------------|
| Tom Thalau | Hawaii | Big West | 200 IM | 1:43.93 | 1:42.65 |
| Karol Ostrowski | Hawaii | Big West | 50 Free | 19.13 | 19.02 |
| Vili Sivec | CSUB | Big West | 100 Fly | 45.91 | 45.12 |
In This Story
- Karol Ostrowski
What’s your take on the night’s performances? Are there any swimmers you’re particularly excited to see at the NCAA Championships? And what’s your stance on the controversy surrounding multiple event qualifications? Share your thoughts below—we’d love to hear from you!
