TUCSON, Ariz. — Tomas Lukminas has been named the Big 12 Men's Swimming and Diving Freshman of the Year after an incredible 2024-25 season that included setting individual and relay program records and qualifying for the Division 1 Men's NCAA Championships in multiple events. The conference released the list of yearly awards Tuesday.
Lukminas came to Tucson from Panevežys, Lithuania. In his first year in Tucson, he has made a lasting impact on the program. At the 2025 Big 12 Championships, Lukminas set a new University of Arizona record in the 100-yard freestyle (41.56). His influence on the school record books didn't stop at Big 12s, however; Lukminas and some of his fellow Wildcats also set the program record in the 400 free relay at NCAA Championships (2:47.64) and the 800 free relay at Big 12s (6:10.62).
Also at Big 12s, Lukminas was a three-time individual finalist in the 50 free (6th, 19.36, personal best), 100 free (3rd, 41.56, personal best, school record) and 200 free (3rd, 1:32.44), taking home All-Big 12 First Team honors. Lukminas extended his postseason run beyond conference competition by qualifying for NCAAs in each of these individual events, in addition to the 800 free and 400 free relays.
In addition to these postseason record-breaking performances, Lukminas had incredible showings at dual meets throughout the season, proving himself as one of the Wildcats' top points earners.
Lukminas hit the ground running at Arizona. Against a top-ranked USC program in November, Lukminas secured two individual podium finishes (1st in the 200 free, 2nd in the 100 free) and two first-place relay finishes in the 400 free relay and 200 medley relay. Then, just two weeks later, he scored 37 points for Arizona at the highly competitive Wolfpack GAC Invite, placing 8th in the 100 free, 1st in the 800 free relay and 2nd in the 400 free relay, among other top-ten finishes.
Prior to his successful first season as a Wildcat, Lukminas was also a decorated athlete on the international stage. He earned gold in the men's 800 free relay at the 2024 European championships and earned bronze in the men's 400 free relay at the World Junior Swimming Championships in 2022.
