European Juniors Finalist Filippo Bertoni Commits To Kentucky For 2026

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Filippo Bertoni has announced his commitment to continue his academic and athletic careers at Kentucky beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Bertoni primarily specializes in mid-distance freestyle.

The Rome, Italy native has represented Italy at the international level on numerous occasions. Most recently, he represented Italy at the 2024 European Junior Championships. There he was 4th in the 200 free in a 1:49.15, 4th in the 800 free in a 8:02.41, and 6th in the 400 free in a 3:54.05.

In addition to his individual swims, Bertoni also swam on Italy’s 800 free relay. That relay won gold in a 7:12.15 and he split a 1:49.36 on the 2nd leg. Bertoni is set to represent Italy later this summer at the U23 Championships in Slovakia.

Bertoni’s Best LCM and SCM times with SCY conversions are:

  • 200 FR: 1:46.13 / 1:48.42 (1:35.61/1:34.79)
  • 400/500 FR: 3:41.65 / 3:48.73 ( 4:13.31/4:16.28)
  • 800/1000 FR: 7:40.76 / 7:56.49 (8:46.58/8:53.88)
  • 1500/1650 FR: 14:49.39 / 15:14.02 (14:44.08/14:56.09)

The Kentucky men finished 9th out of 11 teams at the 2025 SEC Championships. The team went on to finish 20th at 2025 NCAAs with 30 points.

The Kentucky staff is already hitting the ground running on the recruiting trail after the team added three new coaches in the last week. Based on his best converted times, Bertoni is a huge commit for Kentucky. His 200 free converted time would have been 2nd on the team this past season behind Carson Hick who swam a 1:33.61. Bertoni’s best 500 free would also have been 2nd on the roster this past season behind Hick who swam a 4:10.27.

Hick and Levi Sandidge were the team’s only finalists in the 500 free. Bertoni would have joined the pair as his best time would have been in the ‘B’ final.

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man of isle
10 hours ago

they have the best distance coach and program, amazing prospects!

Stevie Janowski
Reply to  man of isle
4 hours ago

Debatable. They have a coach that helped foster the grooming era. Allegedly, still pending for the courts to decide. Long distance coach was there during Lars’ time.

Swimbob
18 hours ago

UK must be going for an all international men’s team. That is all they have recruited this off season.

Questions
Reply to  Swimbob
17 hours ago

Which is the exact opposite the former staff. One coach would often say if you want international teammates, go to Florida State

Speedy Gonzales
1 day ago

Fast Freshman with other distance at Sophomore, Junior and Senior levels. Welcome Filippo!

Fan of Texas
1 day ago

Lowkey L

Questions
1 day ago

How old are his LTB’s? It seems he missed the mark at this past year European Junior’s.

SwimFan
1 day ago

Why?

Swimfan12
Reply to  SwimFan
1 day ago

Umm..didn’t Kentucky have one of the best distance groups in the country last year?

Deez
Reply to  SwimFan
1 day ago

They were top 20 at NC’s with ONLY distance guys scoring, only team not named Texas with 2 all Americans in the mile…why not?

Octopus
Reply to  SwimFan
1 day ago

Yeah! Why wouldn’t he go to the 2-3 universities a prospect with these events/times should go to!?!?

~looks up results & improvement rates & training partners~

Oh that’s why…

MigBike
Reply to  SwimFan
7 hours ago

Some schools are willing to pay male international distance swimmers a full scholarship.

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European Championships …

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