University of Louisville Head Coach Arthur Albiero announced early signees to the 2021 class on Tuesday. Swimmers Nicolas Albiero, Spencer Carl, Michael Hampel, TC Smith, and diver Daniel Pinto will be new additions to the Cardinal Swimming and Diving Family.
“This class will add very important, high level depth to our team. They are talented athletes, exceptional students but more importantly a group of great young men that instantly connected with the core values of our program”, said Albiero. “We have high expectations for this group to come in and develop quickly into impact performers at the ACC and NCAA level”.
Nicolas Albiero
Best Times:
100 BK – 48.21/55.98LC
200 BK – 1:45.54
100 FL – 47.63/54.38LC
200 FL – 1:46.35
100 FR – 44.52
200 IM – 1:49.09
Nick Albiero will stay home in Louisville to join the Cardinals. He is the fastest recruit out of the state of Kentucky and is ranked #8 nationally by CollegeSwimming.com. He competes for Cardinal Aquatics and is coached by Chris Lindauer; where he was an Olympic Trials Qualifier in 3 events this past summer, competing in the 100 and 200 meter backstrokes as well as the 100-meter butterfly. Albiero is a Junior National Runner-Up in the 200-yard butterfly and an NCSA Jr. National Runner-Up in the 100-meter butterfly. He is a 4-time Kentucky State High School Champion and boasts six KYLSC state records. In 2015, Albiero was a member of the National Select Camp. He is currently a student at the Christian Academy of Louisville where he maintains a 4.2 weighted GPA.
Arthur on Nick
“Nick is very versatile and has developed a great level of fundamental skills. As a coach I am very excited to work with him and watch his progress. But more importantly as a Dad, I know the people he is going to be associated with and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Nick on why he chose Louisville
“I chose the University of Louisville because of the incredible team, coaching staff, and academic opportunities. The amazing FCA program also stood out to me as a major part of my college experience. I am so excited to be a part of this family and I can’t wait to represent the Cards for the next 4 years! Go Cards!”
Spencer Carl
Best Times:
100 FL – 48.12/54.73LC
200 FL – 1:47.63/2:01.27LC
200 FR – 1:37.15/1:57.92LC
Spencer Carl will join the Cards from Holland, Michigan, where he swims for Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics and is coached by Jim Whitehead. Carl was a 2016 Olympic Trials Qualifier and a Junior National finalist in the 100 and 200-meter butterfly this past summer. He is the second fastest recruit out of Michigan, and is ranked #37 nationally by CollegeSwimming.com. Spencer is also a multi-sport athlete at West Ottawa High School. He currently owns ten varsity letters for water polo, swimming, and track. He is coached by former Cardinal swimmer Sam Hoekstra at West Ottawa and is the defending Michigan High School State Champion in the 200-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly. Carl is an exceptional student, with a 4.59 weighted GPA. He is also a member of the National Honors Society.
Arthur on Spencer
“Spencer will bring some great versatility to our program. The fact that he has played several different sports at a high level shows what kind of athlete he is. We are excited to see him elevate his swimming to the next level.”
Spencer on committing to Louisville
“I am very excited to have committed to the University of Louisville! I know the atmosphere there will be a perfect fit for me. I look forward to being a part of a team with such high goals and expectations for not only swimming, but also the classroom.”
Michael Hampel
Best Times:
100 BR – 56.30/1:04.07LC
200 BR – 2:03.67/2:21.90LC
200 IM – 1:53.70/2:10.69LC
Michael Hampel comes from Owensboro, KY where he trains with the Owensboro Marlins under former Cardinal swimmer Valentin Preda. Ranked #4 in the state of Kentucky by CollegeSwimming.com, he is an 11-time KYLSC State Champion. He won the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2016 Futures Championships this past summer as well as finished 2nd in the 200-meter breaststroke. Hampel is a Winter Nationals Qualifier in both the 100 and the 200-yard breaststrokes.
Hampel also competes for Owensboro Catholic High School. He is a multiple-time State finalist and a NISCA All-American in the 100-yard breaststroke. He is an excellent student and is a member of the Principal’s List for Academic High Honors at Owensboro Catholic.
Arthur on Michael
“It’s been a pleasure to see Michael’s progress over the last few years not only as a swimmer, but also as a young man. Having watched his swimming progression, I believe he has only scratched the surface of his true ability. He will be a perfect fit for our program.”
Michael Hampel on Louisville
“I decided to join the University of Louisville because of the outstanding academic opportunities and the top-notch staff. I believe the family atmosphere of the team and the training styles presented will not only enhance my swimming, but will shape me into a better man. I am truly excited to be a part of this nationally-contending team!”
T.C. Smith
Best Times:
1650/1500 FR – 15:16.96/15:32.66
1000/800 FR – 9:11.52/8:09.06
500/400 FR – 4:23.91/3:58.43
T.C. Smith is a distance specialist who hails from Bradenton, FL. Training under Coach Ira Klein and the Sarasota Tsunami Swim Team, he was an Olympic Trials qualifier in the 400 and 1500-meter freestyles in 2016 and is a Winter Junior Nationals runner-up in the 1650-yard freestyle.
Smith is also a multiple-time All-American for Bayshore High School. He is a 3-time FHSAA State Champion in both the 200 and 500-yard freestyles.
Along with many swimming accolades, T.C. is also a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and a member of the National Honors Society and Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society at Bayshore High School.
Coach Arthur on T.C.
“T.C. is not only a great swimmer but has a great personality that we felt would allow him to be a team leader from day one. He is someone who will lead by example both athletically and academically. He comes in with a great foundation and we believe his best swimming is in front of him yet.”
T.C. on why he chose Louisville
“The staff at Louisville has been as helpful and supportive as I could ever ask for since the beginning of the whole recruiting process. The team has welcomed me with open arms. There is a great attitude within and surrounding the team that feels magnetic and is extremely exciting. The institution has all the academic and athletic opportunities I feel will help lead me to be the most successful I can possibly be as an overall person. I feel absolutely blessed to be a part of the Cardinal Family. Go Cards!!!”
Daniel Pinto
Diving
Daniel Pinto grew up in Louisville, but currently resides in Lima, Peru. An exceptional springboard diver, Pinto has represented Peru in a multitude of international competitions including the 2013 Bolivarian Games and the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.
Coach Albiero on Daniel
“We really enjoyed getting to know Daniel throughout the recruiting process. He has a huge heart for Louisville. We believe that Daniel’s experience and exposure to diving at an international level will be a huge asset in his development and to our diving program.”
Daniel on joining the Cards
“I’m excited to begin a new chapter in my life with the Cards! I’ve been tied to Louisville since I was young. There’s no better feeling then being able to come back to pursue my career as a student-athlete with one of the best Universities in the country! Go Cards!”
News courtesy of Louisville Athletics.
According to the website, they are losing 12 seniors this year. That’s a big class to fill the void. They have work to do if they have any chance in keeping up with NC State.
Keeping up with? I don’t think their any team in the ACC and only few team in the NCAA that have any chance of keeping up with NC State. They’ve have made to much of a STATEment
Seriously??….. I was cheering for NC State because their coaches seem to be doing a phenomenal job but Mr. Wolfpack here makes me want to go against them. Go Louisville!!!!! Another coaching staff that seems to be kicking some serious butt. Good job Arturo, I’m very impressed.
Yeah Wolfpack… what is your problem? let’s not ruin NC State reputation with your comments…
And let’s not judge any team or coaching staff based on random comment like this one either
This guy posts on every article for NC State with some comment similar to this. I don’t think they’re actually an NCSU fan.
4 swimmers…
+ 1 diver…
Spencer Carl’s LCM 200 free is 1:51.92 not 1:57.92