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Italian backstroke specialist Cesare Gagiola has announced his verbal commitment to swim for Pennsylvania State University beginning in the fall of 2028.
“I’m excited to announce my commitment to Penn State University! A huge thank you to my family, coaches, teammates, and friends for always supporting me, and to the Penn State coaching staff for this incredible opportunity.”
Gagiola is based in Monselice, Italy, where he trains with Amatori Nuoto Team and excels at the backstroke and freestyle events. He has also represented the Italian Swimming Federation on the international stage.
Gagiola turned in a strong showing at the 2025 Comen Cup (LCM) in Belgrade, Serbia, logging a personal best time in three events. He won the 100 back (56.94 – PB) and took 4th in the 200 back (2:05.02). He also contested the 100 free (52.09 – PB) and set a lifetime best in the 50 back (26.72) as the leadoff on the 200 medley relay.
At the 2026 Unipol Italian Absolute Championship (LCM) in April, Gagiola clocked lifetime best performances in each of his three individual events. He placed 3rd in the 100 back (56.65) and 5th in the 50 back (26.58), and he set a best time of 2:03.80 during the prelims of the 200 back.
In the short course meters discipline, Gagiola posted a series of top performances at the 2026 BPER National Youth Criteria competition. He won the 200 back (1:55.33) and placed 2nd in the 50 back (25.08) and 100 back (53.39), 5th in the 400 free (3:53.92), 12th in the 100 fly (55.39) and 30th in the 100 free (51.45), setting personal best times in each.
Best Times LCM (SCY Conversion):
100 back – 56.65 (47.22) 200 back – 2:03.80 (1:44.05) 50 free – 25.09 (21.88) 100 free – 52.09 (45.48)A Division I program in the Big Ten Conference, the Penn State men finished 9th at last season’s conference championships before sending three athletes to compete at the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Championship, where they finished 41st overall. To earn a second swim at the 2026 Big Ten Conference Championships, it took times of 46.54/1:43.99 in the 100/200 back and 20.19/43.71 in the 50/100 free, putting Gagiola outside the cutoff in each of his top events based on his project SCY times.
On the team itself, Gagiola’s converted times would have ranked him 2nd in the 200 back and 3rd in the 100 back last season. With almost two years to go before he joins the team, it remains to be seen how the times and roster will shift, but he currently looks to be in a position to be a strong contributor for the Nittany Lions.
Gagiola is currently set to be joined in the pool by Zack Pecora, Isaac Waks, Connor Minear, James Brandall, Adam Giersch and Levente Varga, who should all make for strong training partners throughout their four years together.
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