2026 College Swimming Previews: 11 Michigan Men Looking to Crack Top 10 with Retooled Roster ...Middle East

By Spencer Penland on SwimSwam

It’s that time of the year again. SwimSwam will be previewing the top 12 men’s and women’s teams (and then some) from the 2024 NCAA Championships. Follow along with the College Swimming Preview Channel. Want to read even more? Check out the latest edition of the SwimSwam magazine. 

#11 MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Key Losses: Gal Groumi (22.5 NCAA Points), Bence Szabados (3 NCAA Relays), Cam Gammage (NCAA Qualifying Diver)

Key Additions: Luka Mladenovic (Austria – BR/IM), Alexey Glivinskiy (Israel – FR/IM), Antoine Sauve (Canada – FR), Boldizsar Magda (Hungary – FR/BK/FL), Alex Thiesing (KY – FR/FL), Will Siegel (NY – Distance)

GRADING CRITERIA

Over the years, we’ve gone back and forth on how to project points, ranging from largely subjective rankings to more data-based grading criteria based on ‘projected returning points.’ We like being as objective as possible, but we’re going to stick with the approach we’ve adopted post-Covid. The “stars” will rely heavily on what swimmers actually did last year, but we’ll also give credit to returning swimmers or freshmen who have posted times that would have scored last year.

Since we only profile the top 12 teams in this format, our grades are designed with that range in mind. In the grand scheme of college swimming and compared to all other college programs, top 12 NCAA programs would pretty much all grade well across the board. But in the interest of making these previews informative, our grading scale is tough – designed to show the tiers between the good stroke groups, the great ones, and the 2015 Texas fly group types.

We’ll grade each event discipline: sprint free (which we define to include all the relay-distance freestyle events, so 50, 100 and 200), distance free, IM, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly and diving. Use these grades as a jumping-off point for discussion, rather than a reason to be angry.

Also, keep in mind that we are publishing many of these previews before teams have posted finalized rosters. We’re making our assessments based on the best information we have available at the time of publication, but we reserve the right to make changes after publication based on any new information that may emerge regarding rosters. If that does happen, we’ll make certain to note the change.

2024-25 LOOKBACK

Michigan saw another year of improvement in head coach Matt Bowe‘s 2nd season, finishing 11th at NCAAs (98.5 points) after taking 14th (87.5 points) in 2024. They actually could have finished a little higher, however, their 200 medley relay, which would have finished 10th, wound up getting DQ’d. Had that DQ not occurred, they would have scored over 100 points and cracked the top 10.

On top of their team success at NCAAs, Michigan managed to break a total of 6 program records last season, 3 individual and 3 relays. Gal Groumi set a new team record in the 100 free (41.75), Jack Wilkening cracked the 100 back record (44.90), and Tyler Ray broke the 100 fly (44.00). Additionally the Wolverines’ 200 free relay (1:14.83), 200 medley relay (1:22.08), and 400 medley (3:01.19) all set new program records.

As far as how Michigan fared at the conference level, their finish at the Big Ten Championships marked an improvement over the 2023-2024 season. Despite the addition of a new team, USC, to the conference, Michigan managed to come within 5.5 points of their 2024 finish. More importantly, the wolverines finished 2nd last year, bettering their 3rd place finish from 2024.

SPRINT FREE: ★★★½

What has been a weakness for Michigan over the past few years has suddenly become a strength. Despite the losses of their two fastest 100 freestylers from last season in Gal Groumi (41.75) and Bence Szabados (42.09), the Wolverines find themselves entering this season loaded with sprinters, thanks to this incoming class of freshmen.

One of Michigan’s most exciting incoming freshman is Canadian Antoine Sauve. The 19-year-old is coming off an incredible summer of racing in which he set the Canadian Record in the LCM 200 free with a 1:46.39. Additionally, Sauve had a bit of a breakthrough in the LCM 100 free, clocking a 48.42.

Israel’s Alexey Glivinskiy is another incoming Wolverine freshman. Like Sauve, Glivinskiy was exceptional this summer. He clocked new career bests of 1:47.54 in the LCM 200 free and 48.72 in the 100 free.

Hungary’s Boldizsar Magda and American Alex Thiesing (Lakeside Swim Team) are a couple other freshmen who will add a lot of depth to the sprint crew. Magda is well rounded in LCM free sprints, holding career bests of 22.78 in the 50, 49.52 in the 100, and 1:51.89 in the 200 free. Thiesing is solid in the 50 free (20.25 yards), but really excels in the 100 (43.55 yards) and 200 (1:34.76 yards). Thiesing is also coming off a very strong summer, wherein he clocked new career bests in the LCM 50 (23.29) 100 (49.75) and 200 (1:49.99) frees.

Antoine Destang (Bolles School Sharks) is yet another freshman who comes in with promising sprint free times, including a 20.18 yards 50 free and 44.67 yards 100 free. He should add some great depth to this sprint crew.

It’s not just the incoming swimmers who will be key contributors to this Wolverine sprint group. Rising senior Tyler Ray returns for his final season as the fastest 50 freestyler on the roster. Ray has improved steadily through his first 3 seasons in Ann Arbor, which culminating in a breakthrough season in the 50 free this past season. Ray took 2nd in the 50 free at the 2025 Big Ten Championships, swimming his career best of 18.83. He also split 18.34 on the Michigan 200 free relay at NCAAs.

Fellow rising senior Jack Wilkening is another key member of the sprint crew. Wilkening is primarily a backstroker, however, he’s proven to be a valuable free relay asset over the past few years. He holds a personal best of 19.25 in the 50 free, as well as a 42.40 in the 100 free, however, he’s split as fast as 18.53 in the 50 and 42.24 in the 100 on relays.

Another rising senior, Eitan Ben Shitrit is Michigan’s fastest 200 freestyler on paper coming into this season. Ben Shitrit holds a career best of 1:32.63 in the yards 200 free.

Then there’s Ole Eidam, who joined the Wolverines at mid-season last year, Eidam only went 43.48 in the 100 free for Michigan last season, however, he’s coming off a great summer in which he popped a new career best of 48.80 in the LCM 100 free at the World University Games. Given the 48.80 LCM, it seems quite likely that Eidam should be able to improve significantly on his 43.48 in yards, especially now that he’ll be more acclimated to training at Michigan.

DISTANCE FREE: ★★½

Starting with the 500 free, rising senior Eduardo Moraes is back to lead Michigan’s team. Moraes is coming off his best season as a Wolverine, in which he posted a career best of 4:12.72 at the Big Ten Championships. He then went on to swim a 4:13.41 in prelims at NCAAs, which earned him a 17th place finish, 1 spot short of qualifying for finals.

Canadian Olympian Lorne Wigginton was Michigan’s 2nd-fastest 500 freestyler last season, posting a career best of 4:15.25 at Big Tens. Jon Jontvedt was also strong in his freshman season with the Wolverines, posting a best time of 4:17.34 at Big Tens. Yet another freshman last year, William Savarese was strong in the 500 last season, clocking a 4:17.70. All 3 swimmers will have to improve a good bit in their sophomore seasons to be able to make an impact at the NCAA level, however, their freshmen seasons were promising. At the very least, they represent strong depth in the event for the Big Ten Championships.

In terms of incoming freshmen in the 500, Will Siegel (Long Island Aquatic Club) and Alex Thiesing (Lakeside Swim Team) look like they’ll be the main contributors. Siegel is more of a pure distance swimmer, excelling most in the mile, but he comes in with a career best of 4:24.59 in the 500. Meanwhile, Thiesing could probably go either way with the 50 free or 500 free on that day of the championship meet schedule, however, he comes in with a promising 4:25.51 in the 500.

As for the 1650 free, Jontvedt returns as Michigan’s top miler from last season. Jontvedt led the Wolverines last season with a 14:48.20. Rising senior Josh Brown was the next-fastest Wolverine miler last season, clocking in at 14;53.71, however, he holds a career best of 14:48.57.

Savarese is another key returning swimmer, having posted his career best of 15:09.33 last season as a freshman. Incoming freshman Siegel comes to Ann Arbor with a career best of 15:09.67 in the 1650. There’s reason to believe Siegel is ripe for improvement in the mile, given that he just clocked a huge personal best of 15:28.48 in the LCM 1500 free, which he swam at Speedo Junior Nationals in late July.

We’re considering this distance crew a 2-star group with 3-star potential, so we’re giving it a rating of 2.5 stars.

BACKSTROKE: ★★★

Rising senior Jack Wilkening returns to lead the Michigan backstroke squad once again. Wilkening is holds the top times on the team in both the 100 and 200 back, and he’s the program record holder in the 100 back (44.90). He posted that time leading off the 400 medley relay at NCAAs last season, becoming Michigan’s first swimmer to go under 45 seconds in the event. Though he didn’t compete individually at NCAAs last season, his 44.90 would have been fast enough to qualify for the ‘B’ final last year.

Wilkening also holds a personal best of 1:40.34 in the 200 back, which is the best time on Michigan’s roster coming into this season. Fellow rising senior Eitan Ben Shitrit adds great depth in the 200 back, having swum his career best of 1:41.65.

Boldizsar Magda could be a valuable sprint backstroke addition to the Wolverines this season. He hasn’t competed in yards before, however, Magda has been 52.66 in the SCM 100 back and 55.91 in the LCM 100 back, both of which are strong for an incoming freshman. Additionally, he’s pretty great in the 50 back, having been 24.13 in the SCM 50 and 25.49 LCM.

BREASTSTROKE: ★★★

Breaststroke is another discipline in which Michigan should be taking a huge step forward this season. Rising senior Ozan Kalafat made a massive leap last season as a junior, highlighted by a new career best of 51.53 in the 100 breast, which he swam at the Big Ten Championships. He entered the season with a personal best of 53.08, marking very significant improvement. He also had a great year in the 200 breast, dropping down to 1:53.10.

Kalafat’s improving is exciting enough for Michigan, but they also bring in a world class breaststroke recruit in Austria’s Luka Mladenovic. Mladenovic was exceptional over the summer, ripping new career bests in the LCM 50 breast (26.72), 100 breast (59.97), and 200 breast (2:10.08). To give some context, Mladenovic’s LCM 50 breast is the fastest of anyone who will be competing in the NCAA this season, and his LCM 100 breast song ranks 4th among 2025-26 NCAA swimmers.

Adding to the depth of this breaststroke squad, rising junior Jaeddan Gamilla is coming off a great season as well. Gamilla came into last season with a 54.98 personal best in the 100 breast and got down to 53.10 at the Big Ten Championships. He made huge progress in the 200 breast as well, entering the season as a 2:00.08 200 breast and getting down to 1:56.79.

BUTTERFLY: ★★★

The Michigan fly group loses Gal Groumi, who came in 12th in the 200 fly at NCAAs last season, but it still looks to be in very good shape.

Rising senior Tyler Ray is back to lead the fly squad after having taken 7th in the event at NCAAs last season. Ray set the Michigan team record last year, swimming a 44.00. He’s also very good in the 200 fly, holding a personal best of 1:40.44.

Rising junior Colin Geer was an ‘A’ finalist in the 200 fly at NCAA last season, taking 8th in the event. Geer posted his career best of 1:39.58 at the Big Ten Championships last season. He’s also a very strong 100 flyer, having swum his career best of 45.10 at NCAAs last year.

Ole Eidam joined the Wolverines at mid-season last year and wound up clocking a 45.92 in the 100 fly at the Big Ten Championships. With his being on the team for the full season this time around, Eidam should add some really great depth in the event.

In terms of incoming swimmers, Antoine Destang looks like a promising incoming freshman in the 100 fly specifically. Destang comes to Ann Arbor with a personal best of 47.16 in the 100 fly. He’s a solid 200 flyer, holding a personal best of 1:47.86, however, he may wind up swimming the 100 free on that day of competition instead.

IM: ★★★

Michigan comes into this season having lost their fastest 200 IM’er from last season. Gal Groumi came in 7th at NCAAs last season in the 200 IM and was the only swimmer on Michigan’s roster who had been under 1:40 in the event before. That being said, given the returning swimmers, plus some newcomers to the roster, this IM crew looks to be in very good shape.

Rising junior Colin Geer is Michigan’s fastest returning swimmer in the 200 IM. Geer qualified 9th in prelims of the 200 IM at NCAAs last season, then posted his career best of 1:40.55 to finish 10th in finals.

Rising senior Eitan Ben Shitrit is another key member of the Wolverine IM group. Like Geer, Ben Shitrit primarily races the 200 IM. He’s the 2nd-fastest returning swimmer in the event for Michigan, holding a career best of 1:41.66.

Incoming freshman Luka Mladenovic should be a great addition to the 200 IM group as well. Mladenovic is primarily a breaststroker, however he holds an LCM career best of 2:01.90 in the 200 IM, as well as a 1:55.59 SCM. Fellow incoming freshman Alexey Glivinskiy comes in with an even better LCM 200 IM, joining the Wolverines with a career best of 1:59.00.

As far as the 400 IM goes, rising sophomore Lorne Wigginton is Michigan’s top swimmer. Wigginton was great for the Wolverines in the 400 IM as a freshman last season, clocking a personal best of 3:39.76. Ryan Healy, who is entering his junior season at Michigan, should add some nice depth in the 400 IM. Healy was Michigan’s 2nd fastest swimmer in the event last season, posting his personal best of 3:42.85 at the Big Ten Championships. William Savarese got down to 3:44.01 as a freshman last season, so if he takes another step as a sophomore, he could be on the fringe of being an NCAA qualifier in the event.

DIVING: ★

Coming into the season, Michigan’s prospects at scoring in diving at NCAAs don’t look great. Their top diver from last year, Cam Gammage, has now graduated. Gammage was an NCAA qualifier last season and he appeared in a pair of ‘B’ finals and ‘C’ final at last year’s Big Ten Championships.

That leaves rising junior Logan Hepner as the top returning diver. Last year as a sophomore, Hepner was a ‘C’ finalist in all 3 diving events at the Big Ten Championships.

Michigan does have new diving coach Brandon Loschiavo, who took the program over this summer. Loschiavo was a world class diver himself, so he may be able to reinvigorate this diving program in short order, but that remains to be seen.

RELAYS: ★★★★

Note that the grading system doesn’t align perfectly for relays as double points.

Relay grading system:

Heading into this season, it seems like all 5 of Michigan’s relays should be faster this year than last. That’s huge for the program, as the Wolverine relays were already in pretty good shape last year. At last year’s NCAAs. Michigan came in 11th in the 200 free, 18th in the 400 free, 11th in the 800 free, 8th in the 400 medley, and they were DQ’d in the 200 medley, although their time would have been good for 10th. Given the additions they’re making to the roster this season, it seems like a very real possibility that Michigan could be in the top 8 in all 5 relays this season.

Starting with the 200 free relay, the only loss Michigan faces is Bence Szabados, who was their slowest split at NCAAs last year, leading off in 19.20. With the bevy of sprint freestylers that are joining the team this fall, Szabados’ leg should be able to be replaced and likely upgraded. On top of that, Colin Geer split 19.04 at NCAAs last year, and he could probably be replaced by one of the incoming swimmers as well.

The 400 free relay could look very different than last year’s. The Wolverines are facing 2 losses: Gal Groumi, who split 41.81 at NCAAs and Bence Szabados, who split 42.34. This incoming class features so many 100 freestylers, it seems like this relay could possibly be entirely overhauled this season. The 2 returning legs are Jack Wilkening, who led off in 42.40 last year, and Colin Geer split 42.54. Given Antoine Sauve and Alexey Glivinskiy both come in with mid-48 LCM 100 frees, and Boldizsar Magda has split 48.3 LCM on a relay before, Michigan has 3 incoming swimmers who could potentially be faster than anyone on the relay last season. That’s not to mention that Alex Thiesing comes in with a 43.5 yards 100 free, so he could be on this relay with a great freshman year.

The 800 free relay is probably the relay that will look the most different this year from last year. Once again, the loss is Gal Groumi, who led this relay off in 1:32.16 at NCAAs last season. The great news for Michigan is they’re bringing in some heavy hitters in the 200 free. Antoine Sauve set the Canadian Record in the LCM 200 free over the summer, swimming a 1:46.39. Additionally, Alexey Glivinskiy posted his career best of 1:47.10 in the LCM 200 free this summer, while Alex Thiesing comes to Ann Arbor as a 1:34.76 yards 200 freestyler. Given that, plus the return of Eitan Ben Shitrit, who was a 1:32.63 200 freestyler last season for Michigan, and the Wolverines have an 800 free relay crew that’s looking very strong heading into the year.

Michigan’s medley relays performed quite well last season, thanks in large part to the huge leap Ozan Kalafat took in breaststroke, as well as the continued improvement of backstroker Jack Wilkening and flyer Tyler Ray. Once again, losing Gal Groumi hurts, but Michigan brings in enough that they should be able to come out of this season improved over last year both medley relays.

With the 200 medley relay, Wilkening will be back to handle the backstroke leg once again in his senior year. While Kalafat was excellent on breaststroke for Michigan last year, it would seem that incoming freshman Luka Mladenonic represents an upgrade at breaststroke. As mentioned in the breast section, Mladenovic holds the fastest LCM 50 breast of anyone who will be competing in the NCAA this season. He was a finalist at the World Championships in Singapore in the 50 breast this summer. Given that, it seems highly likely Mladenovic will be faster than the 23.24 breast split Kalafat was able to give Michigan last year on this relay. Add into that the return of Ray on the fly leg, plus many options for freestylers with this incoming class, and the Wolverine 200 medley looks to be in great shape.

The 400 medley is very similar to the 200 as far as the swaps Michigan will have to make from last year. Wilkening, the program record holder in the 100 back, and Ray, the program record holder in the 100 fly, will both be back for their senior seasons, so the Wolverines have no worries with those legs. Once again, Kalafat was huge for Michigan on breaststroke last season, but Mladenovic should represent a real upgrade in the 100 breast. The tricky part with this relay is actually the free leg, where Groumi anchored in 40.96 at NCAAs last season. The good news is that, while 40-point-anything is a great split, Michigan is bringing in so many excellent 100 freestylers that they should be able to get someone in there who can replicate that swim.

All things considered, I’ll once again voice the opinion that it seems like a very real possibility that Michigan could post top 8 finishes in all 5 relays at NCAAs this season. The significance of that is that, if they simply came in 8th in every relay, that would result in 110 points, which is 11.5 more points than Michigan scored between relays and individual swims combined at NCAAs last season.

Total Stars: 23/40

2025-26 OUTLOOK

All things considered, this Michigan team looks primed to continue its steady stream of improvement from the past couple years. Yes, they lost arguably their best swimmer from last season in Gal Groumi, however, they bring in a very talented freshman class, one which features many international swimmers with high-level international meet experience.

The brunt of this incoming class is made of freestyle sprinters, which are always a huge help on college rosters. Michigan has been strong in the free relays over the past few years, and these newcomers should help a bit with those relays, but the biggest impact will be felt in the individual sprint free events, where the Wolverines have been a bit thin at the conference and NCAA levels the past couple years.

Breaststroke had been another thin point on the roster for Michigan recently. Ozan Kalafat‘s exceptional season last year did a lot to help with that, and now, the Wolverines gain one of the fastest meters breaststrokers in the world in Luka Mladenovic.

Overall, this year’s roster has done a lot to bolster some of the weaker points of last year’s roster. Combining that with returning swimmers who should be able to make a big impact at the NCAA level, Michigan looks good to make a leap into the top 10, maybe even well into the top 10, this season.

MEN’S PREVIEW INDEX:

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