2026 ACC ‘B’ finalist Alex Bauer has announced his transfer to South Carolina for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. Bauer just finished his sophomore season at Pitt.
Bauer entered the transfer portal a day after it was announced that Pitt head coach Chase Kreitler would resign from his position, effective immediately. Bauer posted on Instagram at the time, “In light in recent events. I have decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal. I want to thank everyone at Pitt especially Chase,Micheal,Gideon,and Kaersten as well as my teammates and support staff. I would not be in position I am in without them.”
Less than two weeks ago, Pitt announced that diving coach Katie Kasprzak would take over as Director of Swimming & Diving as the program goes through a “strategic restructuring.” Bauer is the first publicly announced transfer since the coaching change, although several other athletes entered their name into the portal.
Originally from Indiana, Pennsylvania, Bauer arrived in fall 2024 with a best time of a 3:59.54 in the 400 IM. He was on a strong trajectory during his time at Pitt in the event, dropping eight seconds as a freshman before dropping another six as a sophomore to swim a 3:46.31 for 16th in the event at the 2026 ACC Championships.
Bauer’s Best SCY Times Are:
- 400 IM: 3:45.42
- 200 IM: 1:46.34
- 200 breast: 1:58.46
- 200 free: 1:36.63
The South Carolina men finished 11th out of 11 teams at the 2026 SEC Championships with 349 points. Missouri was 10th with 427 points. Pierre Largeron led the team with 52 individual points including a 6th place finish in the 500 free (4:11.88).
Based on his best times, Bauer would have made the SEC ‘B’ final in the 400 IM as well as the ‘C’ final of the 200 IM. South Carolina only scored one point in the 400 IM while they had no finalists in the 200 IM.
Bauer becomes at least the 6th publicly announced transfer to join the Gamecock men this fall. Also arriving will be Grayson Nye (Tennessee), Brayden Franklin (West Virginia), Tyler Bardak (McKendree), Sam Empey (Auburn), and Joey Stebbins (West Virginia).
Good luck Alex! Sad to see you leave.
Great pickup for the Gamecocks. Best wishes to you Alex…welcome to the SEC. (The greatest conference in history)