The University of Michigan is racing without several key pieces of their lineup this fall semester – though they are expecting at least one of those to join the team sooner rather than later.
Jack Wilkening, Boldizsar Magda, Alexey Glivinskiy, and Jon Jontvedt have not yet raced for the Wolverines this season.
Updates shared from Michigan head coach Matt Bowe are that Wilkening (who is still on the roster) and Jontvedt (who is not) are out for ‘medical reasons,’ though he could not elaborate on the specific nature of those.
Wilkening, a senior, is expected to join the Wolverines for the team’s next dual meet with Oakland University and Pitt on November 7th in Ann Arbor. Wilkening finished 4th in the 200 back and 5th in the 100 back at the Big Ten Championships in February and swam as part of three Michigan relays at the NCAA Championships.
He had a good summer in long course as well, finishing 6th in the 50 back and 100 back at the US National Championships and World Championship Trials, then 3rd in the 50 back, 2nd in the 100 back, and 5th in the 200 back at the summer-ending USA Swimming Pro Championships in August.
Bowe said he did not have a timeline on a return for Jontvedt, a Norwegian Olympian who placed 24th in Paris at the Olympic Games.
Jontvedt hasn’t raced in a college meet since the 2025 Big Ten Championships, where his best finish was 7th in the 1650 freestyle, but he did race at the Westmont Pro Swim in March and then at two meets at home in Norway in May and July, respectively. He would be a sophomore this year.
Glivinskiy and Magda were both part of what was expected to be a load-carrying freshman class for the Wolverines, but both have deferred enrollment, likely until next fall, according to Bowe.
Glivinskiy represented Israel at the 2025 World Championships, making the semifinals in the 200 IM (1:59.00 best time in prelims). He also swam on the Israeli 400 free relay (48.72 leadoff split) and 800 free relay (1:46.46 rolling split in prelims, 1:47.42 in finals). Glivinski turned 21 a month ago and would turn 22 in September 2026.
Magda, a Hungarian, has represented his country internationally as well, specifically at the 2024 World Short Course Championships in relays.
A backstroker who also has sprint freestyle potential, Magda has bests of 25.49/55.91/2:07.09 in the 50, 100, and 200 meter backstrokes in long course. He has also been 22.78 in the 50 free and 49.52 in the 100 free.
The 100 back time was done in April 2025, though the rest of those swims are at least two years old.
Magda is 20, and turns 21 in April.
Both Magda and Glivinskiy still have their commitment pictures on their Instagram pages as of publishing.
In spite of the absences, the Wolverine men have had a strong start to the season. They have already picked up dominating wins over #23 Wisconsin (183-115), Notre Dame (183-117), and Northwestern (186-114). The November 7 tri against Oakland and Pitt will be the team’s last meet before the mid-season CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge in Knoxville from November 20-23.
Michigan’s star rating is gonna age like milk
Can we get similar update for Tenn’s three big freshmen? Uli Saravia, Ethan Dumesnil, and Lucio Paula…think Uli is on campus. Paula seems to be all over the world. No clue about Dumesnil.
Braden – Thanks for checking in for us
You got it. Appreciate y’all helping us keep track of who’s in and out, and coach Bowe for being forthright and transparent. 98% of coaches would either ignore my email, lie, or scold me for asking.
Surprising to read that 98% of coaches do not cooperate with you and SwimSwam…seems the sport benefits from reliable information and the exchange thereof. Well done Coach Bowe.
Alexey is NOT going to Michigan. UofM coaches said he was gonna come in January… now saying next fall. Word on the street is that he has been talking to other schools and does not plan to attend Michigan. Big big loss…
How can you lose something you never had?
Why is a 21/22 year old trying to come into the ncaa anyway? Get a job, bro 🙃
The NCAA has long recognized exceptions to the eligibility rules for individuals serving religious or military missions. While other countries’ militaries were probably not the original intent of that policy, that would apply to most 21 year old men in Israel.
Remember that many sports, and specifically THE sport in college athletics football, are intrinsically linked to militaria, historically, so it makes sense for the NCAA to have created military-based carveouts to the rules.
speculating academically ineligible
Let’s see …. all males …. not a stretch speculation.
Not looking good for them. I think Lorne Wigginton is out too, hasn’t raced since Carmel and was supposed to last weekend
Yeah seemed to miss world cup in Toronto, hopefully bounce back soon
He was in a cast/boot in Toronto. Seems like it’s serious
Big hits to a team with a lot of potential/upside
And this is why I think the SEC roster limit of 22 is so ridiculous. It still hurts with 30 when you have some out, but with only 22 there’s no room for injuries if you want to stay competitive.
22 is plenty of real men in the vaunted SEC! Sad to see Meechigan is out a few of their hopeful dudes – but it happens. The frigid winter does not sit well with some athletes.