South Carolina Adds German Sprint Freestyle Talent Noah Schotz for 2026

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Noah Schotz of Geltow, Germany, and Potsdamer SV has committed to the University of South Carolina as a member of the Gamecock men’s 2026 recruiting class.

Schotz competed at the German National Championships (LCM) in May, where he finished 10th overall in the 50 freestyle, clocking a new lifetime best of 22.93, his first time under 23 seconds, and besting his previous top time of 23.08 from May of the year before.

His best long course 100 free came at the Berlin Swim Open just a week prior to his 50 free best. In Berlin, he finished 4th in the event, powering to his fastest ever swim in 50.39.

One of Schotz’s best short-course outings came in November of 2024, where he set three of his fastest-ever swims at the German Championships. There, his top individual finish came in the 100 backstroke, where he clocked a best time in prelims in 54.56, and later bettered it in finals, finishing 6th in 54.11. She also clocked a best time in the 50 back, finishing 6th overall, swimming a 24.48 in prelims.

At that same meet, leading off the 200 free relay, Schotz nabbed his best ever 50 free in 22.27, and added a 100 free personal best in 49.53.

Schotz also represented his country at the 2024 European Aquatics Junior Championships (LCM). His best placement at that meet came in the 100 free, finishing 27th in 51.14. He also competed in the 50 free (32nd, 23.41), and 50 back (30th, 26.84).

Best Times Converted to SCY:

The Gamecock men finished 11th at last season’s SEC Swimming and Diving Championships.

Based on those converted times, Schotz would have finished tied for 40th in the 200 free, 41st in the 50 free, and 48th in the 100 free.

The international experience that comes with Schotz is valuable, and his raw speed is equally as useful to a men’s team that will look to fight to rise in the SEC.

Though the times are just conversions, Schotz would be an immediate contributor on this season’s South Carolina roster, ranking at the top of the 50 free, 3rd in the 100 free, 4th in the 200 free, and 4th in the 100 back.

A number of Schotz’s best times were set before 2025, except for the long-course 50, 100, and 200 freestyles, which raises the question of what he is capable of today. There is still plenty of time for him to post times prior to his debut as a Gamecock, and another level of untapped potential once he gets reps in a yards pool.

Schotz joins William Alexander, Riley Richards, and Owen Harmon in the Gamecock men’s 2026 recruiting class.

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