2021 NCAA 200 butterfly NCAA champion Nick Albiero has committed to a fifth year of eligibility for the University of Louisville, he confirmed on Sunday. Albiero was instrumental in Louisville’s 200 medley relay NCAA title this year, swimming the butterfly leg for the school’s first relay national title in school history. The next day, he won the school’s first ever NCAA title in the 200 butterfly in an emotional win in what was believed to be his final swim for the school.
In October 2020, the NCAA voted to grant winter sport athletes an additional year of eligibility. After missing the 2020 NCAAs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, athletes were allowed the option to compete one more year for their universities while pursuing additional schooling in some scenarios, and Albiero, who was the top seed in both the 100 and 200 butterfly in 2020, will get a chance to swim for the Cardinals one more time. He will provide valuable depth to a Louisville team that finished a program high fifth at this year’s NCAAs and also won the school’s first ever ACC title in swimming and diving.
Nick Albiero finished second in the 100 fly and fifth in the 100 back in addition to winning the 200 fly at this year’s NCAAs as he also swam on four of Louisville’s relays. The Cardinals finished eighth in the 800 free relay, with Albiero leading off in 1:32.31, while he also swam the second leg on the team’s 400 free relay (42.09) that was third overall. Louisville looks to be a contender in the 400 medley relay this coming season as well as they were fourth in 2021, with Albiero splitting a 44.09 on the butterfly leg.
Most recently, Albiero was fourth in the 200 fly at this year’s Olympic Trials, a half second away from making the Olympic team. He also finished 13th in the 100 fly.