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Photo by: Axe Tang/Utah Athletics
Swim and dive’s Helling Earns Utah’s First Big 12 Champion Title
2/28/2025 11:06 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
Jesco Helling claims platform title on day four of championship
FEDERAL WAY, Wash.– Continuing to make waves at it's first Big 12 Conference Championship, the University of Utah swim and dive finished day four with Utah's first Big 12 title and 16 finalists on Friday at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.
On the diving side, the Utah men took on the platform. Two Utes, Jesco Helling and Elias Petersen, placed in the top eight, effectively moving on to the final round on Friday night.
"Diving is an amazing sport and this meet is proving that anything can happen," said head diving coach Richard Marschner. "I knew we had the team to compete for a championship in every event and I am so happy that Jesco was able to have this moment."
Power on the Tower
"To be able to celebrate with the entire swim and dive team was very special," said Marschner, "I can't wait for the women tomorrow."
On the swimming side, four Utes worked their way in to the top eight, with fourteen student-athletes making an appearance in finals.
"We left no crumbs today," said head coach Jonas Persson. "We had a full three-course dinner and we left no crumbs. It was a solid day today, we had some really nice swims, we were tired this morning, which is part of the new four-and-a-half day meet outline. But we got the job done, had some really nice personal bests and got some people in the A-finals. Honestly, finishing off the day with our first-ever Big 12 champion on the platform, Jesco, was very impressive. We're in a really good spot for finishing tomorrow."
Top Eight
Top 10 Times
"The love we felt on the pool deck and from the crowd was amazing," said Marschner. "It felt like the entire pool was celebrating with us and we're grateful for all of the support from our fans, parents and opposing teams."
Looking Ahead
The swimmers kick off the final day of competition at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday morning for the preliminary competition, while the divers take their start on the platform at 12:30 p.m., both groups hoping to earn a place in finals at 7:00 p.m.
Follow the Utes!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UTAHswimdive | Instagram: @utahswimdive | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahUtesSwimDive), and the official mobile app of Utah Athletics, Utah360 -- download here.
On the diving side, the Utah men took on the platform. Two Utes, Jesco Helling and Elias Petersen, placed in the top eight, effectively moving on to the final round on Friday night.
"Diving is an amazing sport and this meet is proving that anything can happen," said head diving coach Richard Marschner. "I knew we had the team to compete for a championship in every event and I am so happy that Jesco was able to have this moment."
Power on the Tower
- Helling earned Utah's first-ever Big 12 Champion title after his performance on platform. The graduate student finished with a score of 362.75, beating out a Cincinnati diver for the top spot by five points.
- Helling's went in to the final seeded first, but stumbled on his third dive, dropping him to third-place. Unwilling to back down, Jesco averaged 67.36 points on his final three rounds. His last dive, an inward 3 ½ off 10-meter, scored 80 points, securing the gold medal.
- Elias Petersen finished his tower final in seventh-place with a score of 326.55, writing his name in the record book for Utah's top 10 highest platform scores.
- Attila Bernatsky finished his six-dives in prelims with a total of 249.555.
"To be able to celebrate with the entire swim and dive team was very special," said Marschner, "I can't wait for the women tomorrow."
On the swimming side, four Utes worked their way in to the top eight, with fourteen student-athletes making an appearance in finals.
"We left no crumbs today," said head coach Jonas Persson. "We had a full three-course dinner and we left no crumbs. It was a solid day today, we had some really nice swims, we were tired this morning, which is part of the new four-and-a-half day meet outline. But we got the job done, had some really nice personal bests and got some people in the A-finals. Honestly, finishing off the day with our first-ever Big 12 champion on the platform, Jesco, was very impressive. We're in a really good spot for finishing tomorrow."
Top Eight
- Evan VanBrocklin finished the 200-yard butterfly in fifth-place with a time of 1:43.93.
- Jakub Walter touched in just behind him, securing eighth-place at 1:44.09.
- In the 100-yard backstroke, Norah Hay finished at 53.28 for the fifth-place medal.
- Alexia Duncan was next in line at 53.55 for an eighth-place finish.
Top 10 Times
- Hay earned her third top ten time of the weekend, this time in the 100-yard backstroke. Touching in at 52.98, the senior put herself in the fourth-fastest slot.
- In the same race, Duncan earned Utah's sixth-fastest time, finishing her races at 53.55.
- Durgan McKean added his name in the 100-breast record book, with a time of 53.96.
- In the 200-yard butterfly, Nick Kjaerulff earned his first-ever top ten time for the Utes with a finish of 1:46.15.
"The love we felt on the pool deck and from the crowd was amazing," said Marschner. "It felt like the entire pool was celebrating with us and we're grateful for all of the support from our fans, parents and opposing teams."
Looking Ahead
The swimmers kick off the final day of competition at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday morning for the preliminary competition, while the divers take their start on the platform at 12:30 p.m., both groups hoping to earn a place in finals at 7:00 p.m.
Follow the Utes!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UTAHswimdive | Instagram: @utahswimdive | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahUtesSwimDive), and the official mobile app of Utah Athletics, Utah360 -- download here.
Players Mentioned
Diving
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Back/Fly/IM
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Back/Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
IM
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Free/Fly/IM
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Free/Fly
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