2026 NCAA Qualifier Zara Zallen Transferring From Mizzou To Alabama

Zara Zallen has announced she will transfer to join the Alabama women for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. Zallen just finished her junior season at Missouri and qualified for the 2026 NCAA Championships.

The Colorado native committed to Utah in fall 2021 before flipping her commitment to Missouri in June 2023. She arrived at Missouri in fall 2024.

Zallen finished her freshman season at the 2024 SEC Championships where she scored 14 individual points and was highlighted by a lifetime best 48.68 for 13th in the 100 free.

She had a strong sophomore season including scoring 37.5 individual points at 2025 SECs, including a 6th place finish in the 100 free. She punched her ticket to the 2025 NCAA Championships where she swam in prelims of the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 breast. She also swam as a member of Missouri’s 200 free, 400 free, and 400 medley relays.

This past season, she scored 30 individual points at 2026 SECs. She once again qualified for NCAAs and was 37th in the 100 breast (1:00.38) and 46th in the 100 free (48.86) and swam on Missouri’s 200 free relay that was 21st.

Zallen’s Best SCY Times Are:

• 50 free: 22.45
• 100 free: 47.87
• 100 breast: 59.41
• 100 fly: 52.75

The Alabama women finished 4th at the 2026 SEC Championships, compared to Missouri’s 10th place finish. Alabama went on to finish 11th at 2026 NCAAs.

Zallen is a strong addition to Alabama’s sprint group as her best time in the 100 free would have been 2nd on the roster this past season while her 100 breaststroke would have led the team, giving her much relay potential. The team was 8th in the 200 medley, 10th in the 400 medley, and 10th in the 400 free relay at 2026 NCAAs.