Tuks Swimming Club’s Tai Person announced his decision to head to Gainesville to join Head Coach Anthony Nesty and the Florida Gators as a part of the 2026 recruiting class.
I am excited and honoured to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Florida Gators 🐊
I’m eager to begin my academic journey and to take my swimming to the next level. I’m grateful to Coach Nesty and Coach Jack for giving me this opportunity.
A special thank you to my family and friends, Coach Rocco and the staff at Tuks, as well as Coach Rhys at Vineyard.
I appreciate your guidance and support 🇿🇦
Looking forward to the next chapter of my life and making the most of every opportunity at the University of Florida 🧡💙
🐊 Go Gators 🐊
At the 2023 South African Short Course Championships, Pearson brought home a trio of titles, all three of which still stand as his best performances ever in those events. His wins came in the form of the 200 IM (2:00.92), 100 butterfly (52.70), and the 200 fly (1:56.84). He also added a 3rd place finish in the 50 fly, touching at 24.57.
Pearson won the 200 IM at the Western Cape Short Course Championships (SCM) in July, touching in 2:02.72. He also set a multitude of personal standards at those championships, including his 100 backstroke in 53.82 (where he finished 2nd), 50 fly in 24.18 (placing 2nd), and the 200 free in 1:51.66 (finishing 4th overall).
Earlier this month, Pearson represented South Africa at the World Aquatics Junior Championships (LCM). In Otopeni, he raced all three butterfly distances, finishing 14th in the 100 fly (53.68), 21st in the 50 fly (24.63), and 23rd in the 200 fly (2:04.41).
Best Times Converted to SCY:
| Event | Time (LC or SC) |
Converted to SCY
|
| 100 Fly | 53.23 (LCM) | 46.69 |
| 200 Fly | 1:56.84 (SCM) | 1:45.26 |
| 200 IM | 2:00.92 (SCM) | 1:48.93 |
| 100 Back | 56.89 (LCM) | 50.17 |
| 200 Free | 1:51.66 (SCM) | 1:37.71 |
The Florida men finished as runners-up to Texas at the 2025 SEC Swimming and Diving Championships. Pearson’s converted times would have qualified for the ‘C’ final in the 100 fly (23rd), just outside of alternate position in the 200 fly (28th), and 51st in the 200 IM.
Pearson brings a dynamic range of events to this Gators men’s squad. Last season, the Gators demonstrated considerable firepower in the 100 fly at SECs, but not nearly as much in the 200 fly. Florida scored 58 points in the 100 fly (only behind Tennessee for the most in the event), but had a rough showing in the 200 fly, only scoring seven points.
Florida’s best butterfly, Josh Liendo, is entering his senior season in Gainesville, but Scotty Buff will still be around by the time that Pearson joins the program.
Florida will lose three of their top four 200 butterflyers from a season ago by the time that Person puts on a Gator cap. Those losses may throw Pearson into the higher echelon within the team in the 200 fly upon his arrival.
Pearson’s converted time in the 100 fly would have made him the 3rd fastest performer in the event for the Gators a season ago.
Pearson will join Junwoo Kim, Liam Smith, and Santi Alzante in the Gators’ class of 2030.
Go Gators 🐊