Five Freshmen To Follow Post-NCAA Champs; Koby Bujak-Upton a Rising Star
It’s been a week since the NCAA Men’s Championships unfolded at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta. While the University of Texas captured a 17th title in program history, Florida’s Josh Liendo capped his college career with his seventh, eighth and ninth individual-event victories. Although Liendo wrapped up his college days, several athletes enjoyed their first taste of one of the most-pressurized meets in the world.
During the NCAA Champs, 13 first-year swimmers reached finals, battling through pressure to score valuable points for ther schools. These swimmers could be names to watch over the next few years, with the potential to place even higher as their careers continue. Of course, some have already flourished in their first years, such as Virginia’s Maximus Williamson and Thomas Heilman.
Here are some other first-year athletes to look out for in the years to come.
Koby Bujak-Upton, Tennessee
Bujak-Upton was just .08 away from taking down Virginia freshman Maximus Williamson in the 200 freestyle. The Tennessee freshman clocked 1:30.11 in the final of the 200 free, but he was actually faster in the 800 freestyle relay, as he led off with a sub-1:30-outing of 1:29.79. Bujak-Upton also finished 12th in the 500 free with a personal best 4:11.86, while also anchoring the Volunteers’ fourth-place 200 free relay. His versatility in the freestyle events will make him a name to watch, continuing in the footsteps of Tennessee freestyle stars Jordan Crooks and Gui Caribe.
Josh Bey, Indiana
Expectations were high for Bey coming into Indiana, but the first-year exceeded those hopes. Bey finished second in the 200 breaststroke, turning in a personal-best time (1:48.79) and giving favorite Yamamoto Okadome a scare. He also turned in another best time to finish seventh in the 200 I.M, while also reaching the final of the 400 I.M. Bey’s strengths as both a breaststroker and an IMer should be essential to the future of Indiana, which placed third in the team standings at NCAAs.
Luka Mladenovic, Michigan
Bey wasn’t the only first-year breaststroker to deliver a breakout NCAA performance. Michigan’s Mladenovic was a factor in both of the breaststroke events, building on a fantastic freshman season. The Austrian National Team member finished fifth in the 100 breast (50.47) and while also earned a podium finish in the 200 (1:49.34). Whether Mladenovic remains a Wolverine is in doubt, however, as he has reportedly entered the transfer portal.
Ryan Erisman, Cal
As Cal faced a rebuilding year following 15 straight top-two finishes at the NCAA Champs, Erisman was a top performer. The freshman placed fifth in the 400 IM, finishing in 3:36.32 after a late charge in freestyle. He also just missed out on finaling in the 500 free, finishing ninth, and he added a 10th-place effort in the 1650 freestyle. With great back-half speed, Erisman could be a factor in the distance events for years to come.
Nikita Sheremet, Louisville
This year’s sprint events were mostly dominated by upperclassmen, led by Josh Liendo. But Sheremet was able to break into the mix, however, with an incredible swim in the 50 free. The first-year collegian went a personal-best of 18.65 to finish seventh in the sprint event. He also finished 12th in the 100 free, just .29 out of a spot in the final. With four of the top eight swimmers in the 50 free graduating, Sheremet will be a swimmer to keep an eye on next spring.