The NCAA swimming scene is on the brink of a thrilling transformation—imagine the excitement of fresh faces diving into the competition just as the new year kicks off! As we gear up for 2026, January promises to bring a wave of midseason reinforcements that could completely reshape team dynamics and rankings. But here's where it gets interesting: these international stars arriving in the spring might just challenge the status quo of American college swimming. Stick around to discover who's joining the ranks and how they could turn the tides.
This piece is a collaborative effort by Anya Pelshaw and Anne Lepesant, drawing from the latest insights to spotlight the upcoming arrivals. With the calendar flipping to a new year, it's no surprise that several NCAA squads are bracing for new talent to make splashes in the spring season. Spring transfers have always had the power to stir up the collegiate standings, and this batch for 2026 is no exception. We're highlighting the standout names we know about so far—each one poised to bring their international pedigree and impressive performances to the pool. If there are any swimmers we've overlooked, feel free to share details with links in the comments to keep this list as comprehensive as possible.
Starting with Alabama, Tessa Giele from the Netherlands is set to make waves. She's no stranger to the global stage, having represented her country multiple times internationally, including a silver medal in the 100 fly at the 2024 SCM World Championships, where she trailed closely behind superstar Gretchen Walsh. For those new to swimming metrics, converted times adjust long-course meters (LCM) or short-course yards (SCY) to fit NCAA standards, giving us a fair comparison. Giele's top converted time in the 100 fly would have secured her a third-place finish behind Walsh and Torri Huske at the 2025 NCAA Championships—a testament to her speed and potential to dominate.
Over at Auburn, Maksim Trotsenko, hailing from Russia, is gearing up to join the Tigers. His finest converted time in the 100 breaststroke falls just short of making the scoring cuts at last year's NCAAs, but it would have easily landed him in the SEC 'A' final. This addition brings robust breaststroke expertise, potentially bolstering Auburn's lineup in a key event.
Florida is welcoming Koen de Groot, another sprint breaststroke powerhouse. Similar to Trotsenko, his converted times suggest he might have missed the scoring at 2025 NCAAs but would have nailed the 'A' final at SECs. By adding depth in this niche, Florida could see improved performances in relays and individual races alike.
Georgia's squad is expanding with Kris Mihaylov from South Africa, who will enhance their freestyle options. Expect him to play a vital role in relays, adding versatility to a group that's already strong.
Indiana is bringing in Alex Shackell, who skipped the fall season with the Hoosiers (unlike her brother Andrew) but recently competed at the US Open. Her talents shine in events like the 100 fly and 200 fly, where she already has the chops to reach NCAA 'A' finals—think of it as the top tier of qualifiers that set the stage for championship glory.
Kentucky is set to gain Tomer Shuster, Israel's backstroke specialist. His converted time in the 100 backstroke would rank fourth on the current Wildcats roster, promising to elevate their performances in this stroke.
Louisville's women's team is in for a treat with Anastasia Gorbenko, who could really mix things up at the NCAA level. Much like Giele at Alabama, she offers versatility across multiple events for the Cardinals. Assuming she adapts well to SCY distances, it's not a question of whether she'll score points—it's about which events she'll excel in, potentially flipping the script for women's championships.
Tennessee is adding two impressive talents: Mizuki Hirai, who holds the World Junior Record in the LCM 100 fly and already has 'A' final potential in the 100 butterfly at the NCAA level. No one on the team has broken 52 seconds in the 100 fly this season, so Hirai could be a game-changer for medley relays. And then there's Lucio Flavio, Brazil's 2025 World Junior silver medalist, bringing sprint fly prowess. His 100 fly converts to a blazing 45.38, which would lead Tennessee's times right now—imagine the boost in team scores!
Texas is poised for a trio of arrivals on the men's side. Ksawery Masiuk from Poland, originally slated for last spring, is now arriving in January and will add depth to the backstroke group, joining standouts like Hubert Kos and Will Modglin. Evan Bailey from Ireland will bolster the sprint and mid-distance freestyle crew, with his converted times hinting at relay potential. Finally, Alexey Glivinskiy from Israel rounds out the additions, also strengthening the sprint/mid-distance free group—potentially making Texas an even more formidable force.
Virginia is welcoming Nina Jazy, who switched from her original Michigan commitment to join the Cavaliers. She'll enhance a sprint free group already featuring names like Anna Moesch and Sara Curtis, promising more competitive heats and relay strength.
And this is the part most people miss: the influx of these international athletes could spark debate about the globalization of NCAA swimming. Is it fair that overseas talent can seamlessly join mid-season, potentially overshadowing homegrown stars? Or does it enrich the sport by bringing diverse skills and pushing everyone to new heights? But here's where it gets controversial—some might argue that these transfers prioritize individual glory over team loyalty, especially when commitments change hands. What do you think? Does this trend level the playing field, or is it a double-edged sword that disrupts the balance? Share your takes in the comments—do you agree these reinforcements are a net positive for the NCAA, or are there aspects that give you pause?
In This Story
Alex Shackell (https://swimswam.com/bio/alex-shackell/)
Gretchen Walsh (https://swimswam.com/bio/gretchen-walsh/)
Hubert Kos (https://swimswam.com/bio/hubert-kos/)
Sara Curtis (https://swimswam.com/bio/sara-curtis/)
Torri Huske (https://swimswam.com/bio/torri-huske/)
About Anya Pelshaw
Anya Pelshaw (https://swimswam.com/bio/anya-pelshaw/)
Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European …
Read More » (https://swimswam.com/bio/anya-pelshaw/)
