Indiana University swimmer Corey Gambardella has opted to take advantage of an NCAA waiver allowing athletes a 5th year of eligibility. Gambardella’s decision comes after finishing 6th in the 200 fly in June at the United States Olympic Trials.
That finish was actually higher than he placed at the 2021 NCAA Championships in the yards version of the 200 fly. There he was 17th in 1:42.64, which came after a runner-up finish at the Big Ten Championships in 1:42.53.
He also finished 29th at NCAAs in the 100 fly with a time of 46.61.
“I feel like I have more to give in the sport of swimming, and next year’s team at IU is going to give me a great shot of reaching all of my goals,” Gambardella told SwimSwam on Saturday of his decision.
With Gambardella returning, the Hoosiers will now bring back each of their top 4 butterfliers from last season: Brendan Burns, Tomer Frankel, Van Mathias, and now Gambardella. On top of that, Bruno Blaskovic, the team’s top 100 butterflier (and #11 in the nation) from the 2019-2020 season, will return after injury ended his season early last year.
That group scored 34 points in the butterfly events at NCAAs last year, which is more than they scored in any other individual stroke group at the meet.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA awarded student-athletes who competed in the 2020-2021 season an extra year of eligibility. While a number of impact women have announced that they will use their 5th year of eligibility, far fewer men have done the same.
Indiana has been an exception to this. Gambardella is now the 4th member of the men’s program to have announced the decision to take advantage of the new rule. Besides he and Baskovic, also returning will be 8-time All-American backstroker Gabriel Fantoni and 3-time All-American backstroker Jacob Steele.
The Indiana men finished 6th at the 2021 NCAA Championship meet. That followed back-to-back 3rd-place finishes for the Hoosiers. The team also finished 2nd at the Big Ten Championships, just 44 points behind Michigan.
The team will have a number of instant-impact freshmen coming in next season, including National Age Group Record breaking breaststroker Josh Matheny, 49.5 long course freestyler Rafael Miroslaw, and the #16 recruit in the class Luke Barr.
Gambardella will be completing his undergraduate degree in media production next year with a focus in documentary film. He will also add an art minor.
Congratulations Corey!! I know that you and Indiana will have a great year.
Corey, It’s fantastic to have you back at IU for a bonus year! I’ve always said, “If you love Indiana University, Indiana University will love you back and take you to places and heights that are beyond your wildest dreams.” You’ve embodied that statement since the day you first stepped on campus! Here’s to you and best wishes on an awesome year! “WE’RE ALL FOR YOU!!!”
I’m really pleased by this development. But, then again, who wouldn’t want to swim another year for GOAT Coach, US Olympic Coach, SwimSwam “Coach of the Year” and ASCA Hall of Famer, Ray Looze? It just feels right! #lovegoatcoachraylooze, #honorgoatcoachraylooze & #cherishgoatcoachraylooze
College swimmers opting to compete for a 5th season obviously love the sport and love to compete. Hats off to that spirit and my congrats to any and all coaches instilling that desire and/or encouraging that decision. Next year (post Olympic) will be interesting!!!
Trenton Julian also announced he’s taking a 5th year. Shaping up for another good battle between Cal and UT.
So no ISL with his father?
Diddy Kong and funky Kong return to the jungle to claim their thrones once again
Seems like they really need their 5th years to win big tens