2020 Tokyo Olympian for the United States Jake Mitchell has announced he will return to Florida to use his COVID-19 fifth year. Mitchell split his time as an undergrad spending two years at Michigan and two at Florida.
As a freshman, Mitchell won the Big Ten title in the 500 free swimming a 4:12.92. He went on to swim at NCAAs but missed finals as he swam a 4:17.57 in the 500 free for 28th. His time from Big Tens would have been 12th in prelims. At 2021 NCAAs, he also was 21st in the 200 free and 22nd in the 1650 free.
During the summer after his freshman season, Mitchell earned a spot to swim for the US at the Olympics after time trailing the 400 freestyle alone and getting under the 400 freestyle ‘A’ cut.
At the 2022 Big Ten Championships, Mitchell finished 2nd in the 500 free in a 4:12.88 and also was 2nd in the 400 IM (3:41.39) and 1650 free (14:44.22). He went on to swim at NCAAs finishing 46th in the 500 free and 36th in the 400 IM. He scratched the rest of 2022 NCAAs and later revealed he was diagnosed with mononucleosis after swimming the 400 IM.
In the offseason between his sophomore and junior seasons, Mitchell transferred to Florida. In his first season with the Gators, Mitchell won the SEC title in the 500 free in a personal best 4:09.85. He also swam a personal best in the 200 free with a 1:32.69 for 10th. He also was 6th in the 1650 free.
He went on to help the Gators to a 6th place finish at 2023 NCAAs. There he made his first NCAA final as he finished 5th in the 500 free in a 4:10.54. He also made the ‘B’ final of the 200 free swimming a personal bens of a 1:32.36.
This past season, Mitchell was just off of defending his SEC title in the 500 free as he finished 2nd in a 4:11.28. He also swam a personal best in the 200 free swimming a 1:31.84 for 4th and was 6th in the 1650 free in a 14:48.21.
At 2024 NCAAs, Mitchell won the ‘B’ final of the 500 free in a 4:10.48 and was 13th in the 200 free in a 1:31.92. He finished 33rd in the 1650 free. He also helped the Florida 800 free relay to a 4th place finish as he split a 1:30.89. His flying start split was the 3rd fastest of the night.
Mitchell’s best SCY times are:
- 200 free: 1:31.55 (2024 NCAAs)
- 500 free: 4:09.85 (2023 SECs)
- 1650 free: 14:42.60 (2021 Big Tens)
In addition to making the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Mitchell also represented the US last summer at the 2023 World Championships. Mitchell swam on the men’s 4×200 free relay after swimming a 1:45.82 for 4th at 2023 US Summer Nationals.
The return of Mitchell is key for the Gators especially as they look to continue to stay at the top of the NCAA after a 3rd place finish this past season. The team was only 2 points ahead of 4th place Indiana. Mitchell scored 13 individual points at 2024 NCAAs for the Gators, the t-7th most of the team.
Adam Chaney needs to be next. Florida’s best shot at winning NCAAs (for men) is next year.
Now time for Jake Magahey to do the same
Any transaction that keeps the University of Texas men’s swimming program at bay is fine by me.
The eyes of Texas are upon thee — and note happy!
Could be a four way battle next year with Cal, Florida, Indiana, and Texas all in the 400s. NC State absolutely has the talent to be there as well, but they need to develop Diehl/Williams/Winkler. Too many high profile misses
Mitchell’s solo time trial was one of the highlights of the Tokyo Olympic trials. Being able to swim that fast, without competition, is truly incredible.
he should’ve done it when it mattered but yeah
Again Andrew misses the point. Mitchell DID perform when it mattered and then went on to final in Tokyo.
Keep yo dusty butt down in Texas hater. Sittin on the shelf commenting on those doing it
I was wondering if this would happen with Emma having another year.
Emma has 2 years of eligibility.
Wait what? I thought she was a junior this past year?
She has 2 years left if she takes a 5th year, but I don’t think she’ll be allowed to. Even though she was supposed to start at UVA in 2020 (in which she would be allowed a 5th year because that year was all out of whack), she deferred a year. I don’t know if she’s granted the 5th year because of that.
Yeah that’s what I figured. I don’t think it makes sense for her to get a 5th year when she wasn’t even training at UVA in the 2020 year.
Curious to see how he does this summer and next year. Wishing him the best. His story of making the games in 2021 was incredible, and I’d love to see him make another olympic or world team. Hope he really is able to take advantage of this last year of swimming!
He was on 2023 Worlds team already.