2021 NCAA D2 Swimmer of the Year Fabio Dalu Transferring to Ohio State

After a banner season with NCAA Division 2 juggernaut McKendree University in Illinois, D2 record-holder Fabio Dalu is making the jump to D1 with a transfer to Ohio State University. Dalu will have three seasons of eligibility with OSU; his first season was 2019-20, and this past season doesn’t count against athletes’ eligibility due to COVID-19.

I have chosen OSU because I was looking for a school to take my swimming career to the next level and I believe OSU is the best place for me to reach my goals. I can’t wait to meet the team and get started. OSU has also a great Academic program which can help me achieve my future goals work wise.

TOP TIMES (SCY)

  • 500 free – 4:19.88
  • 1000 free – 8:54.10
  • 1650 free – 14:55.12
  • 400 IM – 3:45.84

Dalu won the 500 free, 1000 free, 400 IM and 1650 free at the 2021 NCAA D2 Championships, and he currently holds D2 national records in the 1000 free and 1650 free. In the mile, when he hit a 14:55.12 to win the 2021 NCAA title, he became the first D2 swimmer in history to break 15 minutes in the event.

At the 2020 NCAA D2 Championships, which were cut short mid-way due to the beginning of the pandemic, Dalu won the 1000 free.

The Ohio State men finished third at the 2021 Big Ten Championships and 7th at NCAAs. Their young distance group is led by rising sophomore Charlie Clark, who went lifetime bests of 4:17.74 in the 500 free at Big Tens and 14:40.70 in the 1650 free at NCAAs to finish eighth and earn All-American status. Clark broke 15 minutes for the first time at Big Tens (14:45.24), where he placed third overall.

At 2021 Big Tens, Dalu would’ve finished fifth in the mile, sixth in the 400 IM and seventh in the 500 free, so he could come in and immediately be a triple A-finalist at the conference level. This past season, he would’ve been OSU’s top 400 IMer and #2 distance freestyler behind Clark in the 500 and mile.

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Proudhoosier
2 years ago

Big transfer year, Will Myhre going to UW next season

Old Retired Guy
2 years ago

Best of good fortune to Fabio…

Allan LaPrino
2 years ago

I get recruiting and I understand there is a great deal “we” may not know, but Jim T and his organization appear to have done a terrific job with this young man as Jimmy has done throughout his career. From the outside, this does not look good.

Get off my lawn
Reply to  Allan LaPrino
2 years ago

Looks like you shouldn’t speak where you don’t understand then. Jimmy is great coach and a great person, and his impact cannot be understated, but this kids doing what’s best for himself at this point and going forward. This is more about D2 not having anyone within 15 seconds of him, than it does anything with his coach.

Math
2 years ago

He will join Santi Corredor when he transfers there!

O-H
2 years ago

Welcome to Buckeye Nation

Frankie_5_Angels
2 years ago

Nice pickup for Ohio State. They have to pump up the distance group and this goes along way to helping that.

JP input is too short
2 years ago

IMO that’s kind of a surprising choice. Not bad though, he definitely will have a training partner.

GATOR CHOMP 🐊
Reply to  JP input is too short
2 years ago

Yes- charlie clark is a workhorse i can confirm

distance king
Reply to  GATOR CHOMP 🐊
2 years ago

charlie clark is build different

DCSwim
2 years ago

Tutto bene for OSU

About Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon studied sociology at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, graduating in May of 2018. He began swimming on a club team in first grade and swam four years for Wesleyan.

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