Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Joey Zelen, a finalist at the 2025 Futures Championships, will be sticking close to home next fall, as he has shared his verbal commitment to swim for the University of Minnesota beginning in the fall of 2026.
“I am extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Minnesota! I’m incredibly grateful for all of my friends, family, and coaches who helped me get to this point. I also want to give a special thanks to Coach Kremer and everybody on the @gopherswimdive staff for giving me this opportunity. I can’t wait to be a part of such a historic program. Ski-U-Mah!”
The Minnesota native is a senior at Duluth East High School, where he has been a member of his school’s swimming and diving team all four years. In addition to competing for the Greyhounds, Zelen currently trains year-round with Lake Superior Swim Club, primarily specializing in sprint free and fly.
Zelen posted a series of strong performances at the 2025 Minnesota Senior Short Course Championships in March. He won the 50 free (20.61) and took 6th in both the 100 fly (50.66) and 100 IM (52.50) after logging new personal best times during the prelims of the 100 fly (49.93) and 100 IM (52.46).
At the high school level, Zelen has qualified for the state championships for the past three seasons in a row, starting as a freshman. His top individual performances came last season at the 2025 MSHSL Boys Class AA State Championship, when he snagged the runner-up spot in the 100 free (45.08 – PB) and took 3rd in the 50 free in 20.48 after posting a lifetime best time of 20.45 during prelims.
Zelen clocked another series of lifetime bests just last month at the 2025 Speedo Winter Junior Championship – West. He contested the 50 free (20.37 – PB), 100 free (45.47 – SB) and 100 fly (49.60 – PB).
Over the summer, Zelen competed at the Futures Championships in Madison (LCM), earning a second swim in two events. He placed 17th in the 50 free (23.59), 22nd in the 100 free (51.98) and 74th in the 100 fly (57.82).
Best Times SCY
- 50 free – 20.37
- 100 free – 45.08
- 100 fly – 49.60
A Division I program, Minnesota competes in the Big Ten Conference, with the men’s team placing 5th at the 2025 Big Ten Conference Championships last season. The Gophers went on to send six athletes to compete at the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Championship, where they placed 28th overall.
To earn a second swim at last season’s conference championships, it took times of 19.73/43.48 in the 50/100 free and 47.12 in the 100 fly, putting Zelen outside the cutoff in each of his top events. On the team itself, he would have ranked 8th in the 50 free, 10th in the 100 fly and 13th in the 100 free last season, contributing some added depth to the lineup. The Gophers only have four seniors on their roster this season, and only two compete in the freestyle events, so Zelen’s projected rankings shouldn’t change much before next season.
Currently set to join Zelen in the pool in the fall are Dawson Walters, Luca Ignatescu, Trevor Green, Chase Grisi and Hudson Huberg, who should all make for strong training partners over the next four years.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour
Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.
FFT SOCIAL
Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster
FFT is a SwimSwam partner.
