Illinois HS State Finalist Luke Bucaro Commits to Notre Dame (2025)

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Luke Bucaro, currently a junior at Barrington High School in Illinois, is set to join the University of Notre Dame in the fall of 2025 to continue his studies and swim for the Fighting Irish under Chris Lindauer. Bucaro trains with the Barrington Swim Club.

“I am thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at the University of Notre Dame! I would like to thank my family, friends, and coaches who have helped me along the way. GO IRISH! 🍀”

Bucaro was a two-time finalist at the 2023 Illinois High School State Championship (SCY), placing 6th in both the 200 IM (1:50.95) and the 500 free (4:35.45) as a sophomore. His time in the 200 IM was a personal best.

During the same year, he captured the title of champion in the 1000 free (9:19.51) at the Illinois Senior Championships (SCY). Additionally, Bucaro achieved two victories at the Speedo Sectionals in Fargo (LCM), winning the 200 back (2:05.25) and the 400 IM (4:34.05). Both of these times marked personal bests.

In 2024, Bucaro continued his success by placing 7th in the 200 IM (1:50.75) at the Illinois High School State Championship. Throughout the year, competing in both LCM and SCY events, he has achieved nine personal best times so far.

Top LCM and SCY Times

With another year still ahead of him, Bucaro would have ranked 4th this season in the 1000 free, with all faster times coming from upperclassmen.

The Fighting Irish improved from their 5th place finish in 2023 to secure 2nd place at the 2024 ACC Championships. Senior Chris Guiliano made history as the program’s first Olympic swimmer, qualifying individually to race the 50 free, 100 free, and 200 free events — the first male swimmer to achieve this since Matt Biondi in 1988.

Bucaro will join Brady Calkins, Ognjen Pilipovic, Zack Oswald, Nathan Szobota, and Owen Tharrington in Notre Dame’s recruiting class of 2025. Szobota, a Virginia High School State Champion in both the 200 free and the 500 free, could also help strengthen the distance group, along with Pilipovic from Serbia. Szobota’s best 500 free is 4:18.38, while Pilipovic’s converted best time is 4:26.19.

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