Zach Apple, a gold medalist on the U.S. 4×100 free relay team at last summer’s World Championships, will transfer from Auburn to Indiana. Sources close to both the Auburn and Indiana programs confirmed the news.
Apple becomes the first swimmer to depart Auburn following the announcement of Gary Taylor as the team’s new head coach. Taylor replaced Brett Hawke, who was also the sprint group coach and Apple’s primary coach.
Apple was one of the biggest surprise stories of last summer’s U.S. Nationals. A relative unknown before the meet, he qualified first for the men’s 100 free final and ended up finishing fourth, earning him a relay spot at the World Champs. During his just-completed junior season at Auburn, Apple finished third in the 200 free at the NCAA championships and tied for fifth in the 50 free while also winning the 100 free B-final in 41.36.
At Indiana, Apple will be able to compete immediately, and he will be part of a squad that finished third at this year’s NCAA championships. The Hoosiers lose Blake Pieroni to graduation, so Apple will fill that void in the freestyle events and on relays.