Three swimmers emerged as new automatic NCAA qualifiers at the Big West Championships on Friday night, bringing the total number of NCAA qualifiers to seven. This follows on from Thursday's four swimmers who also earned NCAA qualifying times.
Cal State Bakersfield's Vili Sivec was the first to qualify, winning the men's 100 butterfly in 45.91. Although this was three-tenths off his personal best of 45.61 from last year's Big West Championships, it was still two-tenths under the NCAA standard of 46.11.
UC San Diego's Asia Kozan earned a qualification in the women's 200 freestyle, swimming 1:45.52, just one-hundredth under the standard of 1:45.53. Her personal best stands at 1:45.15 from March 2025.
Finally, UCSD's Chloe Braun won the women's 100 breaststroke in 58.95, which was more than a second under the qualifying standard of 1:00.30. This was the first automatic qualifier we've seen come in under the 2025 invite time. Braun's swim was about two-tenths faster than her prelims time, which is currently the 17th fastest time in the country this season and would have almost certainly earned her a traditional invite in the event.
Hawaii's Karol Ostrowski also swam an NCAA standard en route to the conference title in the men's 100 back, but since he already earned an invite, he has already been counted.
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
1. Eva Boehlke UC San Diego Big West 200 IM 1:57.43 1:56.69
2. Holly Nelson Hawaii Big West 50 Free 22.28 22.01
3. Asia Kozan UC San Diego Big West 200 Free 1:45.52 1:44.74
4. 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
1. Tom Thalau Hawaii Big West 200 IM 1:43.93 1:42.65
2. Karol Ostrowski Hawaii Big West 50 Free 19.13 19.02
3. Vili Sivec CSUB Big West 100 Fly 45.91 45.12
But here's where it gets controversial... Karol Ostrowski's performance in the men's 100 back is impressive, but since he already earned an invite, he has already been counted. This raises the question: should he have been considered for an automatic qualifier as well? It's a thought-provoking question that invites discussion. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
