As a new college season approaches (hopefully), Swimming World wanted to unveil its preseason top 25 Division I men’s swimmers ahead of the 2020-21 campaign, after launching our women’s list last week. This season is unlike any other we have ever had, as many questions still loom over the fate of the campaign as the coronavirus pandemic still remains at large in many parts of the United States. Some conferences have delayed the start of fall sports, with the status of the winter season still up in the air.
This has caused uncertainty for some athletes like Harvard’s Dean Farris, who was set to return for his senior year but is currently not enrolled at Harvard this semester and is expected to return to the team when a season is announced, but for now is not listed on the Crimson’s roster.
Some incoming freshmen, like Stanford’s Andrei Minakov, have deferred their enrollment in order to stay home and train safely in the comfort of their hometowns ahead of the Olympic Games. Arizona State has redshirted its entire team for this season, and some schools will not even compete this entire fall semester.
But with all of those uncertainties aside, we have put together our top returning swimmers this year, assuming there will be a championship meet in the spring.
Swimming World’s Top 25 – Men’s Division I
Just missed the cut:
30. Jack Hoagland, Sophomore, Notre Dame
29. Camden Murphy, Senior, Georgia
28. Danny Kovac, Junior, Missouri
27. Brooks Fail, Senior, Arizona
26. Caspar Corbeau, Sophomore, Texas
25. Alvin Jiang, Senior, Texas
Photo Courtesy: Angela Wang / University of Texas Athletics
2020 times: 100 fly, 44.93 (Minnesota Invite); 100 back, 44.95 (Big XII)
Jiang came in to Austin after two seasons at North Carolina and immediately became a contributor, becoming one of the top sprinters in the country. He was a part of an extremely deep Texas team that had four guys ranked in the top 16 in the 100 back and two ranked in the top eight in the 100 fly. Now with Maxime Rooney graduating, Jiang is now the top butterflyer on the team.
24. Trenton Julian, Senior, Cal
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
2020 times: 400 IM, 3:40.05 (Minnesota Invite); 200 fly, 1:40.78 (Pac-12)
Cal won the 2019 title thanks to the rapid improvements of their sophomore class that included Julian, who reached two A-Finals and won the B-Final in the 500. Julian played a big role in Cal’s impressive depth last season as well, being one of five Golden Bears seeded in the top 16 in the 400 IM. With all of those swimmers returning this season, Julian will be an integral piece in Cal’s quest for the 2021 title.
23. Mark Theall, Senior, Texas A&M
Photo Courtesy: Connor Trimble
2020 times: 500 free, 4:10.77 (SEC); 200 free, 1:32.45 (SEC)
Theall made headlines in 2019 with his insane time drops from high school, coming out as a 1:40 200 freestyler and developing into a 1:31 relay swimmer in two seasons at A&M (he transferred after one year at UNLV). Theall is now one of the top middle distance guys in the country and has played a big role in Texas A&M’s rise to the top ten. The Aggies won their first SEC relay title on the men’s side last year, and things are just getting started for that team, who were seeded to get sixth last season.
22. Brooks Curry, Sophomore, LSU
Photo Courtesy: Chris Parent / LSU Athletics Photography Department
2020 times: 100 free, 41.81 (SEC); 200 free, 1:32.43 (SEC)
Curry had a huge breakout rookie season for the Tigers, taking the SEC title in the 100 freestyle for LSU’s first win on the men’s side of the meet in 16 years. He was unable to follow that on the national stage, but what can Curry do in his sophomore campaign? A lot of people didn’t know his name before, but he has now emerged as a talking point among fans. LSU has not had a national champion in men’s swimming since 1988 and Curry will be one to watch in the future if he can break that streak.
21. Austin Katz, Senior, Texas
Photo Courtesy: Connor Trimble
2020 times: 100 back, 44.93 (Minnesota Invite); 200 back, 1:37.35 (Minnesota Invite)
Katz has been known to be a big taper swimmer, so his ranking here might be a bit skewed since we didn’t get to see what he was capable of on a full rest at NCAAs. Katz won the 200 back as a freshman in 2018, finished second in 2019, and was set to duel with Shaine Casas in that event as a junior. Now as a senior, Katz will have an opportunity to get that title back as he and Casas look to be the men to beat in the 200 back in an old school lone star state showdown.
20. Javier Acevedo, Senior, Georgia
Photo Courtesy: Thomas Campbell/Texas A&M Athletics
Best Times: 100 back, 44.74 (2018 NCAA); 200 back, 1:39.06 (2018 NCAA)
Acevedo returns to the Bulldogs after an Olympic redshirt last season, as he brings a lot of experience to a surging Georgia team that has a lot of talent in place in Athens. Acevedo was the 2018 SEC champ in the 100 back and has the potential to make his second Olympic team next summer for Canada. This Georgia team is young and if Acevedo can get back to his 2018 form then a top five finish is not out of the question for the Bulldogs.
19. Zach Yeadon, Senior, Cal
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
2020 times: 500 free, 4:10.39 (ACC); 1650, 14:27.93 (ACC)
Yeadon comes to Berkeley after spending three seasons at Notre Dame where he was the ACC champion in both the 500 and 1650 freestyle. He was ranked highly in both of those events ahead of NCAAs as the 500 was shaping up to be one of the most anticipated races to watch in Indianapolis. How will Yeadon adjust to new training and a new life on the west coast? Cal has had impressive depth in the distance events and if Yeadon can transition nicely then he will play a big role in Cal’s pursuit of a national title.
18. Mitchell Whyte, Junior, Louisville
Photo Courtesy: Karl L. More | Louisville Athletics
2020 times: 100 back, 44.64 (ACC); 200 back, 1:39.46 (ACC)
Whyte returns this season as the number one ranked 100 backstroker in the NCAA after a huge sophomore season where he was ranked fourth in the 100 back at NCAAs. The Louisville Cardinals have become a constant in the national top ten despite a lot of attention on their ACC rival NC State. But Whyte’s emergence as a national elite is a big reason why the Cardinals had the fourth fastest 400 medley relay last year. And the team always shows up big on the national stage, so maybe Whyte had something more in the tank?
17. Hugo Gonzalez, Junior, Cal
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
2020 times: 400 IM, 3:36.60 (Pac-12); 200 breast, 1:51.63
Gonzalez is one of the most versatile swimmers in the nation as he enters his second season with the Golden Bears as the top returning 400 IM’er. He can swim any number of events from the 200 IM to the 200 free to the 200 back as he has been a valuable asset for Cal on relays. Anywhere coach Dave Durden puts him, he will be good, and will be key if Cal can win the 2021 title ahead of Texas.
16. Luca Urlando, Freshman, Georgia
Photo Courtesy: Connor Trimble
Best times: 200 IM, 1:42.99 (Juniors); 100 fly, 45.62 (Juniors); 200 fly, 1:40.91 (Juniors)
Urlando was the top ranked 200 butterflyer in the United States in 2019 before injuring his shoulder at the start of this year. But Urlando was back training in the later weeks and will bring a lot to the table in Athens this season. Urlando’s best short course times came from his junior season, so assuming his shoulder is fully healthy then he could be in for some big drops in year one under Jack Bauerle, who has a history of coaching great 200 butterflyers. The 2019 Swimming World high school swimmer of the year was already ranked third in the world in 2019 in the 200 butterfly.
15. Braden Vines, Junior, Texas
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
2020 times: 200 IM, 1:42.71 (Minnesota Invite); 400 IM, 3:40.09 (Minnesota Invite); 200 breast, 1:52.28 (Minnesota Invite)
Vines exploded last season as a sophomore at the Minnesota Invite as the Longhorns showcased their immense depth in December. Vines was seeded in the top eight in the 400 IM and 200 breaststroke and was ninth in the 200 IM at NCAAs, but was unable to show off his improvements at the national meet. With an incredibly stacked team around him, Vines is in good company in his junior season as one of the top IM’ers in the nation.
14. David Schlicht, Sophomore, Arizona
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Best times: 200 IM, 1:42.38 (Pac-12); 400 IM, 3:40.14 (Pac-12); 200 breast, 1:52.33 (NCAA)
Schlicht returns to Arizona after an Olympic redshirt as he is one of the top IM’ers in the nation. The Australian made the final of the 400 IM as a freshman in 2019, placing sixth and was 10th in the 200 breast and 15th in the 200 IM. How will he fare in Tucson this year after training at home last year?
13. Carson Foster, Freshman, Texas
Photo Courtesy: Connor Trimble
Best times: 200 IM, 1:42.43 (Juniors); 400 IM, 3:38.65 (Juniors); 200 back, 1:40.07 (Southern Premiere)
Foster makes his long awaited debut for the Longhorns after he committed over two years ago as a sophomore. Foster is already one of the top IM’ers in the nation based on his best times, and can also swim any number of events as his third option. The 2019 Swimming World high school swimmer of the year had a tremendous age group career, and will now get to showcase his talent at the NCAA level.
12. Nyls Korstanje, Junior, NC State
Photo Courtesy: NC State Athletics
2020 times: 50 free, 19.07 (ACC); 100 free, 42.13 (ACC); 100 fly, 45.47 (ACC)
Korstanje added his name to a growing list of great sprinters at NC State as he has become a strong swimmer across the board for the Wolfpack, who have won six straight ACC team titles. Now as an upperclassman, Korstanje is again one of the top sprinters in the country and will be instrumental in NC State’s quest for a seventh straight conference title. ACC rivals Louisville and Virginia have been surging as of late, but NC State will need Korstanje at his absolute best if they will hold off those teams.
11. Max McHugh, Junior, Minnesota
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
2020 times: 100 breast, 50.67 (B1G); 200 breast, 1:51.62 (Minnesota Invite)
McHugh had a bit of a blip this season, overcoming a drive-by shooting last summer to win the Big Ten title in the 100 breast. He was in line to become Minnesota’s first ever NCAA champion in men’s swimming since 1964 before the meet was cancelled in the 100 as he was the top seed in that event. Now in his junior season in Minneapolis, he is again a favorite to take the 100 breast title at nationals.
10. Reece Whitley, Junior, Cal
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
2020 times: 100 breast, 50.85 (Pac-12); 200 breast, 1:49.85 (Pac-12)
Whitley looked poised to bust out a massive 200 breaststroke at the end of the season last year, as he had been swimming impressive times throughout all of Cal’s duel meets. He was the top seed in the 200 breaststroke before the meet was cancelled and would have played a big role in Cal’s quest to win back to back titles. Nonetheless, Whitley enters his junior year as one of the top breaststrokers in the nation alongside McHugh, as the two have been battling it out since high school, when they traded national high school records in the 100 breaststroke.
9. Drew Kibler, Junior, Texas
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
2020 times: 500 free, 4:11.19 (Minnesota Invite); 200 free, 1:30.83 (Minnesota Invite); 100 free, 42.16 (Minnesota Invite)
Kibler had a big breakout sophomore season and was a big reason why the Longhorns were so vastly improved as a whole. The 500 free field is stacked this season, with seven of the top eight guys from last season all returning this year. Kibler has the versatility to branch out to other freestyle events, holding times ranked in the 200 & 100 freestyle coming into this year, as he will play a huge role on all of Texas’ freestyle relays this season. The Longhorns had the top time in the nation last season in both the 400 & 800 freestyle relays that Kibler was a part of.
8. Daniel Carr, Senior, Cal
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
2020 times: 200 IM, 1:41.79 (Pac-12); 100 back, 45.09 (Pac-12); 200 back, 1:37.87 (Pac-12)
Carr, the double gold medalist in backstroke at the 2019 Pan American Games, was actually ranked the highest in the 200 IM last year, having been ranked second on the NCAA psych sheet. Carr led off Cal’s 200 medley relay at Pac-12’s that was seeded first and returns three of its four members. If we can get to a safe national championship, Carr should be amongst the talks for individual titles in all three of his events, but the back-breast duo of Carr and Whitley will make the Golden Bears medley relays dangerous, no matter who is on the back end.
7. Paul DeLakis, Senior, Ohio State
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
2020 times: 200 IM, 1:42.25 (B1G); 200 free, 1:32.04 (B1G); 200 breast, 1:51.65 (B1G)
DeLakis has talent in a wide range of events and is ranked in the top four in all three of his events coming into this season. Ohio State has a rich history in men’s swimming, winning 11 national titles from 1943 – 1962, but have not had an individual NCAA swimming champion on the men’s side since Robert Hopper won the 200 IM in 1965. If DeLakis breaks that drought, it would be huge for an Ohio State team that was seeded to finish 11th last year and is returning five of its seven NCAA qualifiers.
6. Bruno Blaskovic, Senior, Indiana
Photo Courtesy: Andrew Mascharka/Indiana Athletics
2020 times: 50 free, 18.96 (B1G); 100 fly, 45.29 (B1G); 100 free, 41.49 (B1G)
Blaskovic came up big for the Hoosiers in their home pool at Big Tens last year, winning both the 50 and 100 free as well as both medley relays and both sprint free relays. He was a big reason why Indiana was seeded to get fourth despite losing a lot of points from Ian Finnerty, Vini Lanza and Zach Apple. The Hoosiers seem to just keep reloading on talent in Bloomington, and with one more year to go, Blaskovic will be heavily relied upon as the Hoosiers hope to stay in the top four.
5. Ryan Hoffer, Senior, Cal
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
2020 times: 50 free, 18.87 (Pac-12); 100 fly, 44.85 (Pac-12); 100 free, 41.45 (Pac-12)
Hoffer was the top seed in the 50 last season and was a favorite to take titles in both the 100 free and 100 fly as he was looking to build on a breakout sophomore season that saw him take national titles in the individual 50 free and 200 freestyle relay. Hoffer had a lot of hype around him coming out of high school and was showing glimpses of his potential the last couple years, but the cancellation really hurt his chances at finally going a best time in the 100 freestyle after dropping an insane 41.2 in high school. Nonetheless, Hoffer is probably the best sprinter in the country and will have a lot of eyes on him to see how he does in his final year with the Golden Bears.
4. Bobby Finke, Junior, Florida
Photo Courtesy: Connor Trimble
2020 times: 500 free, 4:10.86 (SEC); 1650, 14:12.08 (SEC)
Finke exploded in his sophomore year by demolishing the American record in the 1650 with an other-worldly 14:12, and his teammates believed he had more in the tank. Finke had big success in high school, making the 2017 Worlds team after his junior year, so we are seeing glimpses of what his potential is. Now in his third year with the Gators, how will that confidence brought on by the 14:12 translate to a new Olympic year? And will he be able to challenge the 4:06 500 thrown down by classmate Kieran Smith last season?
3. Nick Albiero, Senior, Louisville
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
2020 times: 100 fly, 44.83 (ACC); 100 back, 44.75 (ACC); 200 fly, 1:38.65 (ACC)
Albiero looked poised to add his name to Louisville’s wall of national champions last season as he was the top seed in both butterfly events, sharing the 100 distinction with Texas senior Maxime Rooney. Albiero has been huge for a Louisville team that has had a consistent showing in the national top ten, having been seeded 10th last year, and finishing a record high fifth in 2019. With nine of its ten NCAA swimmers coming back, the Cardinals could have a historic season, and it may result in some big swims from Albiero in his final year.
2. Shaine Casas, Junior, Texas A&M
Photo Courtesy: Connor Trimble
2020 times: 200 IM, 1:39.91 (SEC); 400 IM, 3:37.59 (American Short Course); 200 back, 1:37.20 (SEC)
Casas emerged as a breakout star at last summer’s nationals, and followed that up with a successful short course season as expected. Casas was the top seed in the 200 IM and 200 back for NCAAs, and looked to have more in the tank after a good SEC’s. He switched from the 100 back to the 400 IM for NCAAs and looked to be a real contender in all of his events. In 2019, he took a lot of people by surprise with his success. Now that he has everyone’s attention, what will he follow up with in his junior year in College Station?
1. Kieran Smith, Junior, Florida
Photo Courtesy: Connor Trimble
2020 times: 500 free, 4:06.32 (SEC); 200 free, 1:30.11 (SEC); 100 free, 42.14 (SEC)
Smith earns our top spot for the pre-season after smashing the American record in the 500 freestyle at SECs with a 4:06, becoming the first man to break 4:07 and the first collegiate swimmer to break 4:08. Smith was also the top seed at NCAAs in the 200 free and was looking to be the talk of the town at NCAAs before the meet got cancelled. Smith follows a number of swimmers training in Gainesville that have just had a different aura around them in college, from Ryan Lochte to Conor Dwyer to Caeleb Dressel, who all saw tremendous success with the Gators. Although Smith has yet to officially win an NCAA title, he will be one to have a lot of eyes on him in his junior year.
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No Brendan Burns?? A glaring oversight….
Dean Farris…?
Farris is currently not enrolled at Harvard but is expected to return. For now he is not listed on Harvard’s roster.
Y’all are sleeping on Caspar Corbeau. Certain A finalist in both BR races, and would have swam on 2-4 Texas relays.
And Jake Foster – likely A finalist in both IMs and the 200 BR…
“Hook ’em!”
Go Gators! ???
Way to go Carson!