Florida’s Kevin Vargas Opens Up On Missing NCAAs: “I Needed To Prioritize My Well-Being”

University of Florida senior Kevin Vargas has revealed that he missed the 2023 Men’s NCAA Championships due to mental health reasons.

Vargas was a surprising omission from the psych sheets when they were released in early March, as he would’ve been seeded to score (16th) in the 400 IM had he been entered in the meet.

In a social media post on Tuesday, Vargas said that after continuously pushing aside the “mental problems that I knew were building up inside me,” he decided to address them after the SEC Championships in February.

Vargas said he spoke to the Florida coaching staff about what he was dealing with, and was aware of how a potential NCAA absence would affect his teammates. He was surprised at the response he got, given an ultimatum to either compete at the meet or leave the team.

“I knew that the decision I was about to make would have an impact on my teammates, and I felt like I was letting them down if I decided not to attend NCAAs,” Vargas said in the post.

“When I talked to our coaching staff and told them how I was feeling, I was met with an ultimatum: swim at NCAAs or be dismissed, effective immediately.

“I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I didn’t think it was fair to be met with such harsh words, especially when I was talking about my mental health. ‘This is not what a National Team member or what a real gator would do’ or ‘What would you do if we told USA Swimming of how you’re acting’ were just some of the words I heard when explaining my situation.”

After speaking with those closest to him, Vargas ultimately decided not to compete at NCAAs.

“I was confused and didn’t know what to do,” he said. “I thought that after four years of being on the team, I earned more understanding and respect for my decision. That my well-being would be a priority as an NCAA athlete and young adult. But since that wasn’t the case, I spent several days talking to my family and closest friends about what to do.

“The repercussions of my decision were made clear, but I knew I needed to prioritize my well-being. My teammates supported me fully, and I ultimately decided not to swim at NCAAs.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kevin Vargas (@kevin._.vargas)

Florida head coach Anthony Nesty provided the following statement regarding Vargas’ situation:

“Supporting student-athlete mental health is of the highest importance to us. As Kevin indicated, he made a decision to not compete at NCAAs, and he has our full support in that. As he has wrapped up his senior season and prepares to graduate, we will continue to support him with the many resources available to our student-athletes.”

Vargas has had a successful four-year career with the Gators, earning a sixth-place finish at the 2020 SEC Championships in the 400 IM as a freshman prior to the pandemic. He then placed 20th in the 400 IM at the 2021 NCAA Championships, and last year, earned Honorable Mention All-American status by placing 11th in the event.

A product of the LaMirada Armada club in California, Vargas had a breakout performance this past summer, winning the 400 IM at the U.S. National Championships in a time of 4:11.45 while also producing lifetime bests in the 200 breast (2:13.12), 200 fly (1:58.11) and 200 IM (1:59.62).

At the 2023 SEC Championships, he finished 10th in the 400 IM, 11th in the 200 breast and 18th in the 200 IM.

Vargas acknowledged his time in Gainesville in closing in his Instagram post:

“I want to take a moment to thank the University of Florida for all that they provided me during my four years as a Gator. They gave me some of the best moments of my career and helped me form lifelong relationships with my teammates. To those who supported me through everything, I truly appreciate you. Although I may be following a slightly different path than I had intended, I know that’s just life. Go Gators.”

See Vargas’ Full Post In Text Below:

Swimming is filled with challenges, and one that takes a toll on both your body and your mind. Despite the mental problems that I knew were building up inside me, I always pushed them to the side, thinking it was just a part of the sport. But after SECs, I finally realized that I needed to deal with my mental health and do what was best for me.

I knew that the decision I was about to make would have an impact on my teammates, and I felt like I was letting them down if I decided not to attend NCAAs. When I talked to our coaching staff and told them how I was feeling, I was met with an ultimatum: swim at NCAAs or be dismissed, effective immediately. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I didn’t think it was fair to be met with such harsh words, especially when I was talking about my mental health. “This is not what a National Team member or what a real gator would do” or “What would you do if we told USA swimming of how you’re acting” were just some of the words I heard when explaining my situation.

I was confused and didn’t know what to do. I thought that after four years of being on the team, I earned more understanding and respect for my decision. That my well-being would be a priority as a NCAA athlete and young adult. But since that wasn’t the case, I spent several days talking to my family and closest friends about what to do. The repercussions of my decision were made clear, but I knew I needed to prioritize my well-being. My teammates supported me fully, and I ultimately decided not to swim at NCAAs.

I want to take a moment to thank the University of Florida for all that they provided me during my four years as a gator. They gave me some of the best moments of my career and helped me form lifelong relationships with my teammates. To those who supported me through everything, I truly appreciate you. Although I may be following a slightly different path than I had intended, I know that’s just life. Go Gators. 🐊🫶🏼

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mercifully retired swimmer
11 months ago

I mean he could have taken a fifth year but…as a senior, his career was practically over if he did not swim NCAAs, so “swim NCAAs or you are no longer a member of a team” is a pretty objective analysis (if he was not taking his fifth year)

Goldfish
11 months ago

This is one persons story and one persons perspective. There are always two sides and the truth lies somewhere in the middle. College athletics take a lot of hard work and dedication to be successful both mental and physical. If heart and mind are in it, best to be proud of what you have accomplished and move on in life. At the end of the day, it’s just swimming.

Swimstar22
11 months ago

The UF men’s team is always painted out to seem flawless. Obviously, that is not the case. Why are people trying to blame Kevin? For what? Going to his coaches (who are supposed to care about him and want what’s best for him) for guidance? Absolutely not. Everyone needs to stop pointing fingers at everyone else and start pointing them at the only person that actually has control of that program. Kevin Vargas is an amazing kid, inside and outside of the pool. The fact that he was given that ultimatum is disgusting and disrespectful to all the hard work he put into making his team better.

I hope the UF sports administration will open their eyes and see what’s really… Read more »

thinking here
11 months ago

Obviously we are judging by the IG post only, so might get this wrong, but I am not sure how skipping nationals would make his mental health better. With about a month to go (assuming the conversation was right after SEC), the coaching staff, the swimmer, the mental health staff (assuming UF has such thing), could have enough time to mentally prepare the swimmer for the meet. It seems to me that this would have a much more positive outcome on his mental health than opt out of nationals the way it happened. I might be wrong, as the only information I have is the IG post, but that’s what is in my mind.

Demarrit Steenbergen
Reply to  thinking here
11 months ago

It takes pressure off him. Simple as that.

thinking here
Reply to  Demarrit Steenbergen
11 months ago

At that very moment yes, but what is the toll of the entire situation on him? In the medium / long term will it be positive or negative on his mental health? I am not criticizing him or defending the coaching staff. I think the coaching staff should have worked on changing his mind not by pressuring, but by giving him 110% support to face the challenge of racing. Only wondering what is the best way to face a situation like this, nothing personal on the swimmer or coaches. I don’t know them at all.

Swim Enthusiast
Reply to  thinking here
11 months ago

They did try and change his mind, by giving him an ultimatum. Swim or get off the team. Not are you ok? What can we do? We understand. Just swim or you’re done. Face the challenge of racing? What if he had taken that challenge and it was the breaking point of him hurting himself because he chose to do what they wanted and not put his well being first.

thinking here
Reply to  Swim Enthusiast
11 months ago

If you carefully read you will understand that I opposed the coaching staff response. I believe supporting him enough that he would be able to race without risks to his mental health. What an honor to represent UF at the biggest stage regardless of the results – this should be the approach.

collegeswimmer
Reply to  thinking here
11 months ago

you are so obviously not a division 1 college swimmer

Big Huh?
11 months ago

These whiny responses need to STOP. If Kevin truly cared about his friends and teammates who are on the team and happy, he wouldn’t have felt the need to air all of this in public. He was a senior, paid to do a job, he chose to not swim at NCAAs which would have been his last college meet and now he’s out. He’s a senior and his season would have been done. I know personally that many, many swimmers on the team are not happy with him as he has slopped through practice all year and then wonders why the coaching staff is unhappy with him. I worry about this generation of kids who feel the world should revolve… Read more »

42.8
Reply to  Big Huh?
11 months ago

I really wonder how many people actually said he doesn’t work hard from the team. Just because he’s the only one of many that decided to say something doesn’t mean he doesn’t care. He is entitled to a personal opinion on his own Instagram. If you don’t like it, then that’s okay. But he voiced his story. That’s all that matters.

Dali Lama
Reply to  Big Huh?
11 months ago

I agree. All this hate sounds like there are a bunch of marginally producing college swimmers who are upset they did not get offered a grad spot. There comes a point where you just don’t make the cut.

Swim Enthusiast
Reply to  Dali Lama
11 months ago

Lol!! That’s rich!! Clearly you never played college sports. Calling D1 athletes marginally producing swimmers. You don’t get to D1 because you’re marginal or lazy. I would bet if Kevin had pushed through NCAAs, albeit with his mental health in the line, that Nesty wouldn’t have thought twice to having him on the team. He would have produced points at NCAAs thereby given him the chance to make a bigger bonus. You do know coaches are paid based on performance of their athletes right? SMH.

Dali Lama
Reply to  Swim Enthusiast
11 months ago

Just talking from a straight scoring perspective

Swimmer
Reply to  Big Huh?
11 months ago

Nesty is that you

SwimFan11
Reply to  Big Huh?
11 months ago

They’re not cattle. They aren’t really “paid” versus marginally offered partial scholarships (when UF could actually offer more but they choose to spread across too many athletes), and as part of any college’s commitment to STEWARDING young people, is their responsibility to offer mental health supports when asked for. The adults FAILED the now 22 year old they received at 17-18, who asked for help.

HeadTimer
Reply to  Big Huh?
11 months ago

Conflating mental health issues (which may be anxiety, depression, bi-polar syndrome or who knows what) with being lazy and having a shitty attitude is…. really something. And coaches can affect your mental health for better or worse. (Please see stories re Teri McKeever.)

Swimstar22
Reply to  Big Huh?
11 months ago

The audacity of you to claim that Kevin is dragging everyone down because of his “lazy/shxxxy attitude” is BEYOND me. That shows how little you know about Kevin and the awesome kid he is.
Kevin has been receiving so much love and support… AS HE SHOULD.

Coach
11 months ago

How about we talk about how when Vargas excelled and won the National Championship last year Nesty Wasn’t at UF, he was at worlds. It seems like not only Vargas but his teammates appreciated the break from nesty and excelled when he was gone.

Stranded on a Sandbar
Reply to  Coach
11 months ago

Nesty was at Phillips 66/ National Championsips in Irvine last year. Worlds/ Budapest were at the end of June in 2022.

Sacred Supreme
Reply to  Stranded on a Sandbar
11 months ago

Training for nationals. Late April-June

Talk Talk
11 months ago

Swimming is built on the backs of kid’s mental health. A sport that requires absolutely everything from a person. It takes a very young kid out of the flow of the rest of society, has no off-season, makes them perform 365 days a year, on no sleep, always dangling another carrot out in front of them….if they just push a little harder, do a little more they can make this regional meet or this national meet or they will get invited to some stupid SWIM CAMP. “You’re only a second and a half away!” Parents who are dead set on forcing their kids to swim every day for 10 years in order to fulfill their own dream of their kid… Read more »

Luis Vargas
Reply to  Talk Talk
11 months ago

Exactly! To then have some anonymous person say that a kid who qualified for NCAA’s in the 400 IM no less, “slopped through practice”. That’s ridiculous. The fact is coaches lose sight of what the purpose of sport is.

Swim Enthusiast
Reply to  Luis Vargas
11 months ago

This, this right here is the whole point!! Not anything else that anyone here has said other than the fact that “coaches lose sight of what the purpose of sport is”. I have read you people say what a great coach Nesty is. How he cared for you when you “swam under him”. The fact of the matter is, is fame and fortune change a person. Is Nesty a great coach? Absolutely! Did he care for his swimmers, probably, but the last couple of years he has gotten a taste of what fame and fortune in the shape of Olympics and bonuses tastes like and he likes it. And the only way to keep enjoying that is to keep the… Read more »

Anonymous
Reply to  Swim Enthusiast
11 months ago

Is he a good coach?
Has he ever coached a young swimmer to a top level senior? So much sugar coating of a coach who treats young men and women poorly
Hopefully UF wake up and see what’s going on in there swim program

Klorn8d
11 months ago

I’m my experience teammates are much more understanding of things like this than coaches. Not really seeing any of them like his post on Instagram which says a lot. I have a feeling a lot of what he said is twisted to make him seem like the good guy and everyone else seem like the bad guy

Swimfan
Reply to  Klorn8d
11 months ago

I’ve seen plenty of Florida teammates commenting idk what you are talking about

42.8
Reply to  Klorn8d
11 months ago

Scared of the big guy?

Coach
Reply to  Klorn8d
11 months ago

He didn’t twist anything. That came straight from Nesty’s mouth, it’s not the first time nesty has said something like that to a teammate

Mike
Reply to  Coach
11 months ago

No, it came straight from this guy’s instagram. And while that could certainly be this kid’s perception, it doesn’t guarantee it’s the actual words said. But people love to jump on and amplify drama. And I guess this site is happy because they get a lot more engagement in these types of posts

Coach
Reply to  Mike
11 months ago

Why don’t you ask him since you think he twisted it? If Coach Nesty didn’t say these things why wouldn’t he jump to clear his name? There’s so many red flags from him and he doesn’t seem to have a “defense” to clear his name if it “didn’t happen” or if it’s “twisted”

Mike
Reply to  Coach
11 months ago

Not sure why “twisted” is in quotes, I didn’t use that term; you did. Not sure I can answer your other questions. I’ve never seen UF comment on transfers. Maybe it’s a policy they have. “so many red flags” seems like an overblown statement though, can’t say I agree with you there

SwimFan11
Reply to  Mike
11 months ago

UF hasn’t commented, and several transfers have happened over two years.

Swimmer
Reply to  Coach
11 months ago

The comments are filled with florida swimmers?

klorn8d
Reply to  Coach
11 months ago

I have a feeling nesty did not invite him back for a 5th year, which is not expected of coaches and they are not obligated to do it, happens all of the time due to scholarship and roster limits. It happens everywhere and he twisted that into “being off the team”

Sacred Supreme
Reply to  klorn8d
11 months ago

DM him to be sure big dog. See how accurate that “feeling” is.

Swim Enthusiast
Reply to  klorn8d
11 months ago

Why wouldn’t he ask him back? He produced points. Coaches get paid and make bonuses on how their team and or swimmers finish. And not just in the NCAA. Nesty is a USA Swimmimg Coach. He gets paid by USA Swimming for every National teamer and Olympian who performs well. Kevin being one of them. It’s not just about the NCAA. It’s bigger than that.

Anonymous swimmer
Reply to  Klorn8d
11 months ago

Also think of it in a way that maybe his teammates are too scared to repost it, if one of the coaches were to see it. Kevin is not swimming at UF, but a lot of his friends are. They probably don’t want to dig a hole for themselves and have the coaches think poorly of them.

Big Huh?
Reply to  Anonymous swimmer
11 months ago

Many, many of the swimmers are very upset with him, which is why you are not seeing them comment in support.

Black Lagoon
Reply to  Big Huh?
11 months ago

Not true. Go look at that Insta again.

ITSYABOI
Reply to  Anonymous swimmer
11 months ago

This is SO accurate (cited as a ‘coley era’ Alabama transfer)

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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