Who will dominate the NCAA postseason? The swimming world is buzzing with predictions, and one name keeps rising to the top.
SwimSwam Pulse, our ongoing series analyzing reader polls, recently asked a burning question: which midseason addition to NCAA teams will make the biggest splash in February and March? The results are in, and a clear frontrunner has emerged.
But here's where it gets interesting: a whopping 54.4% of voters believe Alex Shackell, the Indiana Hoosier newcomer, will be the most impactful. This top-ranked high school recruit, who initially committed to Cal before switching to Indiana, is generating serious excitement. And for good reason. Shackell boasts NCAA title potential in the 200 fly, with a personal best that would have secured her a third-place finish at the 2025 NCAAs. And this is the part most people miss: the swimmers who finished ahead of her in that event have graduated, making Shackell a strong contender for the top spot.
Shackell's prowess extends beyond the 200 fly. Her 100 fly time ranks her second among returning swimmers, and she's a proven relay powerhouse, having won four medals for the U.S. at the 2024 Short Course World Championships. Her versatility in the 50 free, 100 free, and 200 free further solidifies her value to the Hoosiers. Her impressive debut against Michigan, where she won the 100 fly and placed second in the 200 fly, only fuels the anticipation.
However, the competition is fierce. Anastasia Gorbenko (Louisville), Mizuki Hirai (Tennessee), and Ksawery Masiuk (Texas) all garnered significant votes, collectively accounting for 39.5%. Gorbenko, a short course world champion, brings incredible versatility to the Cardinals, while Hirai, a World Junior Record holder, strengthens the Lady Vols' relays. Masiuk, a World Junior champion, adds elite backstroke and sprinting abilities to the Texas team.
Other notable additions include Tessa Giele (Alabama), a world-class sprint butterflyer, Koen de Groot (Florida), a promising breaststroke talent, and Evan Bailey (Texas), a bronze medalist in the 200 free at the SC Euros.
The stage is set for an exciting postseason. Will Shackell live up to the hype and dominate the competition? Can Gorbenko, Hirai, or Masiuk challenge her for the top spot? What do you think? Who will be the most impactful midseason addition? Cast your vote in our new A3 Performance Poll and join the debate!
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