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Trading the spires of Prague for the columns of the University of Missouri, the Czech Republic’s Natálie Zápotocká will make her foray into yards and collegiate swimming in the fall of 2026 as she joins the Tigers.
Zápotocká, also a dancer, told SwimSwam she choose Mizzou because of “the great team and coaches”. The Czech native has twice represented her home nation at the European Junior Championships. In the summer of 2024, Zápotocká contested four individual events, making the semifinals of the 200 breaststroke, placing 11th with a time of 2:31.47, a personal best. She also made the semifinals in the 200 IM, where her then PB of 2:18.48 in prelims, led her to a 13th place finish with a time of 2:19.33. She also took on the backstroke duties of the Girl’s 400 medley relay where she went 1:06.15 as well as anchoring the Girl’s 400 free relay where she split 58.79.
A year later, this past summer, she swam three events, the 200 breast, and 200/400 IM. While she did not make the semifinals in the 200 breast, finishing 20th at 2:34.48, she improved both her placing and PB in the 200 IM earning an 11th place finish, with a new best of 2:17.91.
Best SCY Times (Converted SCM/LCM):
- 200 Free – 1:50.53/1:53.34 (2:02.69/2:09.01)
- 100 Breast – 1:02.80/1:02.69 (1:09.71/1:11.59)
- 200 Breast – 2:14.29/2:12.85 (2:29.07/2:31.47)
- 200 IM -2:02.01/2:01.36 (2:15.44/2:17.91)
In looking at her times, converted to short course yards, Zápotocká will be an instant help to the University of Missouri, who finished 10th overall with last winter at the 2025 SEC Championships. With 398 points, the Andrew Grevers led team finished over 100 points back of 9th place finishers Auburn and 53 points clear of 11th place finishers Kentucky.
At SECs her best 200 breast converted time of 2:12.85 would have finished 24th in prelims, ranking her 2nd fastest of all the Mizzou swimmers, behind only the now graduated Holly Dennis, whose 2:11.81 was 16th fastest in prelims. Zápotocká best 100-time conversion would have been well outside the top 24, as would her best 200 IM time, but amongst the team her 200 IM best of 2:01.36 would be the 5th fastest on the team.
Joining the Czech native next fall in Columbia are California’s Tori Yamamura, Missouri’s Alexis Cook, Kentucky’s Amelia Lee and Illinois’ Tess Stavropoulos.
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