The Midseason Reinforcements Are Arriving: Who Will Join NCAA Programs in January 2026
This analysis is a collaborative effort by Anya Pelshaw and Anne Lepesant.
With the calendar turning to a new year, several NCAA teams are set to welcome fresh faces for the upcoming spring semester. As always, spring arrivals can reshape the NCAA rankings, and this piece highlights the standout names expected to join programs for Spring 2026.
If you spot a name we’ve missed, please drop a comment with links to supporting data so we can update the list.
Alabama
Tessa Giele (https://swimswam.com/tag/tessa-giele/)
Giele has represented the Netherlands on multiple international stages, including a silver medal at the 2024 SCM World Championships in the 100 fly, finishing behind Gretchen Walsh. If you convert her best 100 fly time to NCAA standards, she would have placed third behind Walsh and Torri Huske at the 2025 NCAA Championships.
Auburn
Maksim Trotsenko (https://swimswam.com/tag/maksim-trotsenko/)
Trotsenko, a Russian standout, is slated to join Auburn. His best converted 100 breast time from recent competition would have fallen just short of NCAA scoring at 2025 NCAAs, yet he would have secured a spot in the SEC ‘A’ final.
Florida
Koen de Groot (https://swimswam.com/tag/koen-de-groot/)
De Groot brings sprint breaststroke prowess to the NCAA. Based on his converted performances, he would have been close to scoring at the 2025 NCAAs, and he would have earned an ‘A’ final appearance at SECs.
Georgia
Kris Mihaylov (https://swimswam.com/tag/kris-mihaylov/)
Mihaylov is transferring from South Africa and adds depth to Georgia’s freestyle roster. He is expected to bolster relay options and contribute across events as he integrates into the program.
Indiana
Alex Shackell (https://swimswam.com/bio/alex-shackell/)
Shackell did not compete for Indiana this fall, though she recently raced at the US Open. Her potential for NCAA ‘A’ finals spans several events, including the 100 fly and 200 fly.
Kentucky
Tomer Shuster (https://swimswam.com/tag/tomer-shuster/)
Shuster competes for Israel internationally and specializes mainly in backstroke. His best converted 100 back time would position him as a high-impact scorer for the Wildcats this season.
Louisville
Anastasia Gorbenko (https://swimswam.com/tag/anastasia-gorbenko/)
Gorbenko, a world-class swimmer, joins Louisville to add versatility and scoring punch. Her adjustment to short-course yards will be a key factor in her immediate impact, with questions about where she’ll score most effectively.
Tennessee
Mizuki Hirai (https://swimswam.com/tag/mizuki-hirai/)
Hirai holds the World Junior Record in the LCM 100 fly and already projects as an NCAA ‘A’ finalist in the 100 fly. Tennessee’s sprint and medley relays should benefit significantly from her presence. No current Tennessee swimmer has broken the 52-second barrier in the 100 fly this season, so Hirai represents a substantial boost.
Lucio Flavio
The 2025 World Junior silver medalist from Brazil brings sprint fly strength to Tennessee. His converted 100 fly time translates to about 45.38 seconds, a pace that would likely lead the team this season.
Texas
Alexey Glivinskiy (https://swimswam.com/tag/alexey-glivinskiy/)
Evan Bailey (https://swimswam.com/tag/evan-bailey/)
Ksawery Masiuk (https://swimswam.com/tag/ksawery-masiuk/)
Texas is anticipated to welcome three new athletes this spring. After a later arrival was originally planned, Ksawery Masiuk will join in January to bolster the backstroke cohort and add depth to the team’s sprint capabilities. Bailey will contribute to the sprint and mid-distance free groups with strong relay potential, while Glivinskiy will strengthen sprint and mid-distance freestyles as well.
Virginia
Nina Jazy (https://swimswam.com/tag/nina-jazy/)
Jazy, who originally signed with Michigan, will instead join Virginia this spring. She enhances a sprint-free lineup that already features athletes like Anna Moesch and Sara Curtis, adding further depth and competition in the short-distance events.
In This Story
Alex Shackell – Profile
Gretchen Walsh – Profile
Hubert Kos – Profile
Sara Curtis – Profile
Torri Huske – Profile
About Anya Pelshaw
Anya Pelshaw has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as a writer and social media coordinator. She has attended multiple NCAA Championships and US summer events, contributing extensively to coverage and reporting.
Would you like to see more regional breakdowns, or a deeper dive into how these transfers could reshape each program’s 2026 postseason chances?
