Sergio de Celis Montalban, a Spanish record holder and 2024 Paris Olympian in the individual 100 free, has committed to Arizona State University's swimming team, marking a significant addition to their ranks. Born in January 2000, Montalban will turn 26 when he arrives in Tempe in the fall of 2026. His decision to join the Sun Devils is a strategic move, considering the potential for a single season of eligibility in the NCAA, similar to recent international recruits like Nathan Wiffen and Mewen Tomac.
Montalban's swimming prowess is evident in his impressive list of achievements. He made his international debut at the 2022 World Championships, placing 32nd in the 100 free and 36th in the 200 free. His breakthrough came with setting a Spanish record in the men's 4x100 free relay, finishing in an impressive 48.41.
The swimmer's success continued at the World Short Course Championships in Budapest, where he narrowly missed the finals, finishing 11th in the 100 free with a new national record of 46.60. He also contributed to the finals of the 4x100 free relay, 4x50 free relay, and 4x200 free relay.
At the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka, Montalban placed 39th in the 50 free, leading off the 100 free relay with times between 48.77 and 48.88. His performance at the 2024 World Championships in Singapore was even more remarkable, as he clocked a Spanish record of 48.39 in the 100 free, securing 10th place. This achievement marked his first world semi-final, with splits of 48.07, 48.11, and 48.13.
Montalban's Olympic journey was equally impressive. He narrowly missed the semi-finals in the 100 free at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing 19th with a time of 48.49, just 0.03 seconds away from qualification. He also led off the national record-setting 4x100 free relay, contributing to Spain's 9th-place finish.
In the short course 100 free, Montalban holds a Spanish record of 46.19, which converts to an NCAA-worthy 41.61 in yards. He also owns a share of nine Spanish relay records, including six in short course and three in long course. Notably, he previously held the long course 100 free national record, breaking it four times between 2022 and 2025.
Montalban's lifetime best of 48.24 in the long course 100 free is significantly faster than Arizona State University's European sensation, Rémi Fabiani. His versatility as a serious relay swimmer is further evidenced by his sub-21 50 free splits at the 2025 European Short Course Championships, including a 20.28 in the 4x50 medley relay.
In terms of individual performance, Montalban's times suggest he would have ranked 7th on the roster last season, but four of those above him have graduated. Similarly, in the 100 free, two of the three swimmers ahead of him will not return next season. He would have scored 'A' final points in all three sprint freestyle distances and qualified for NCAAs in the 100 free.
One of the areas where Montalban is expected to make a significant impact is the relays. With several key swimmers graduating, including Jonny Kulow, Rémi Fabiani, Tommy Palmer, and Adam Chaney, only four of the 12 freestyle relay legs return. Montalban is projected to be a high-impact addition to the 200 free relay, 400 free relay, and 800 free relay.
The Sun Devils are set to benefit from a substantial influx of talent with the addition of Montalban. He joins a talented group of recruits, including Kristupas Trepocka, Max Smirnov, Parker Deshayes, Day Chambers, Ethan Linville, Oliver Munn, Jake Lloyd, Tyler Porter, Ian Disosway, Dillon Albertyn, Onur Oksuz, London Rising, Brennen Oneil, Jack Culberson, Henry Lyness, Kuba Shaw, Daniel Marinov, and Ali Sayed. This class replenishes the team after several top swimmers graduated this summer.
In conclusion, Sergio de Celis Montalban's commitment to Arizona State University is a significant development in college swimming. His impressive international achievements, combined with his potential impact on the team's relays, make him a valuable asset. As he embarks on his NCAA journey, Montalban's presence will undoubtedly elevate the Sun Devils' performance and contribute to their success in the highly competitive world of college swimming.
