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Nina Heron, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, has committed to swim and study at the University of Cincinnati, beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. She trains year-round with North Baltimore Aquatic Club and attends Guilford Park High School.
Heron confirmed the commitment in an email to SwimSwam, and provided the following quote:
I’m beyond excited to announce my D1 commitment to continue my academic and athletic journey at the University of Cincinnati! 🐾❤️ I want to thank Coach Paul, Coach Kathryn, and the Bearcats staff for this amazing opportunity. A huge thank you to my family, friends, teammates, and coaches who have supported me every step of the way. I couldn’t have done it without all of you. Let’s go Bearcats!
The future Bearcat is a very versatile swimmer, with IM and breaststroke representing her strongest events on paper.
Heron’s best meet of this past short course season was the ISCA January Classic, where she set her current lifetime bests in the 100 breast, 200 breast, 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 free, and 500 free. She was golden in the 200 breast and 400 IM, touching the wall in 2:17.25 and 4:19.59, respectively. She grabbed bronze medals in the 100 breast at 1:05.04, the 200 IM in 2:04.72, the 500 free at 5:03.88, and the 1650 free in 17:28.09. She was also fifth in the 200 free, where she broke 1:55 for the first time at 1:54.40.
Outside of the short course pool, Heron’s had the opportunity to compete at some of the highest level meets on the long course circuit. She’s swum at the Pro Swim Series, the summer Futures Championships, and Speedo Junior Nationals so far throughout her career.
Top SCY Times:
- 200 Freestyle: 1:54.40
- 500 Freestyle: 5:03.88
- 100 Breaststroke: 1:05.04
- 200 Breaststroke: 2:17.25
- 200 IM: 2:04.72
- 400 IM: 4:19.59
Cincinnati placed sixth at the 2025 Women’s Big 12 Conference Championships, a drop from their 4th-place finish the previous year. Heron has the chance to make a significant impact, particularly in the 400 IM. Her best time would have finished 11th after prelims at last season’s conference meet, which would have put her squarely in the ‘B’ final and in scoring position.
It took times of 2:02.52 (200 IM), 1:49.72 (200 free), 4:56.33 (500 free), 1:02.41 (100 breast), and 2:15.67 (200 breast) to score in Heron’s other primary events.
On the team itself, Heron would have been the second-quickest 400 IMer last season. Freshman Libby Michel led the way at 4:13.75, which earned her bronze at Big 12s. Outside the 400 IM, Heron’s current PBs would have situated her fourth in the 200 breast, sixth in the 200 IM, seventh in the 100 breast, ninth in the 500 free, and 12th in the 200 free.
Heron will head to Cincinnati’s campus alongside fellow recruits Macartney Mahler, Riley Miller, Alexis Schmidt, Olivia Wenert, Lily Swope, and McKenzie Jenny.
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