Turkish National Team Member Kerem İlyem Joining Georgia Tech In 2026

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Kerem İlyem from Istanbul, Turkey has announced his commitment to continue his academic and athletic careers at Georgia Tech beginning in fall 2026.

“I am happy to announce my verbal commitment to further my academic and swimming career at Georgia Tech! I’d like to thank all of the coaches, team mates, friends, and family that have helped me to reach this point for their endless support! I would also like to thank the Georgia Tech coaching staff for giving me this opportunity.Can’t wait to be a Yellow Jacket.STİNG EM !!!”

İlyem swims for Galatasaray under coach Volkan Burak Tuncil. Back at the end of June, he represented Turkey at the 2025 U23 Championships. There he swam to 20th in the 100 breast posting a 1:03.03.

Back in summer 2024, he made the final of the 200 breast at European Juniors where he swam a 2:14.09 for 6th. His fastest time came in prelims when he swam a 2:13.80 for 2nd heading into semifinals. He also was 31st in the 50 breast in a 29.13.

Ilyem’s Best Times (With SCY Conversions) Are:

• 100 Breast – 1:02.74 LCM (54.72)
• 200 Breast – 2:11.66 LCM (1:55.00)
• 200 Breast – 2:06.09 SCM (1:53.59)
• 100 Breast – 1:00.92 SCM (54.88)

The Georgia Tech men finished 9th out of 15 teams at the 2025 ACC Championships with 465 points. Virginia was 8th with 529.5 points. Diver Max Fowler led the way for Georgia Tech with 72 individual points. The team is in its second season led by dive coach John Ames.

Based on his best converted times, Ilyem is a huge addition to Georgia Tech and would already make the ACC ‘A’ final in the 200 breaststroke. The team only had one finalist in the event this past season as Joao Caballero finished 19th in a 1:54.80. It took a 53.12 to final in the 100 breast.

Ilyem will arrive next fall as a member of the class of 2030 along with Anthony Rulkowski and Christopher Koch. He will overlap for three years with Tuncer Berk Ertürk who also hails from Turkey. The women’s team is also home to Ela Ozdemir of Turkey as she is in her sophomore season.

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