2026 NCAA ‘A’ finalist in both breaststroke events Luka Mladenovic will transfer from Michigan to Texas. Mladenovic just finished his freshman season and has three years of eligibility remaining.
Mladenovic arrived at Michigan this fall and is originally from Salzburg, Austria. He swam to Big Ten titles in both breaststroke events as he touched in a 50.69 in the 100 breast and a 1:49.34 in the 200 breast. He also was 6th in the 200 IM in a 1:41.93.
He went on to finish 3rd in the 200 breast in a 1:49.34 and 5th in the 100 breast in a 50.47 at the 2026 NCAA Championships. He also was 15th in the 200 IM and helped Michigan to a 4th place finish in the 400 medley relay with a 50.08 split as well as a 7th place finish in the 200 medley relay with a 22.85 split. He scored a total of 32 individual points.
Mladenovic’s Best SCY Times Are:
- 100 breast: 50.47
- 200 breast: 1:49.34
- 200 IM: 1:41.93
The Texas men are coming off of their second straight NCAA title as they scored 445.5 points at the 2026 NCAA Championships. Senior Hubert Kos led the way with 57 individual points. Based on results this year, the Longhorns return the most individual points for next season.
Mladenovic’s 32 individual points at NCAAs would have been the 6th most for Texas this past season. He joins a strong breaststroke group that includes fellow NCAA ‘A’ finalists Campbell McKean, Nate Germonprez, and Will Modglin. McKean was 2nd (50.25), Germonprez was 3rd (50.38), and Modglin was 8th (51.01) in the 100 breast while Germonprez was also 5th in the 200 breast (1:49.69).
Modglin, McKean, and Germonprez also scored in the 200 IM. Modglin was 4th in a 1:40.94, McKean was 9th in a 1:41.28, and Germonprez was 14th in a 1:42.26.
BORING
Bob Bowman collects elite swimmers like Thanos collecting infinity stones.
“You could not live with your own failure. And where did that bring you? Back to me.”
nothing personal against Luka. But cases like this are why parents and athletes get frustrated: older international recruit, instant NCAA impact, then a quick move to Texas. It may be allowed, but that does not mean it feels fair to everyone competing for the same spots.
I think the consensus is that the new 5 in 5 rule is going to pass, they just have to work out the transition and phasing in of the new rule.
So that won’t completely end it (military service, religious missions) but it will dramatically curtail it.
What is that rule?
https://swimswam.com/ncaa-releases-qa-document-explaining-reasoning-behind-proposed-five-year-eligibility-change/
Aren’t there restrictions on international swimming getting NIL payments?
He’ll be getting paid by the university.
I would argue the TX breaststrokers had the weakest performances on the team at NCAAs, so this is a bit of a head scratcher. but get your coin king!
Hopefully it’s better next year. They were much faster at mid season
How much money does everyone think he is getting? I keep seeing comments about money.
At least 50k per year arguably more
That seems way too high given his lack relays in the immediate future.
I think it’s all nonsense conjecture. I bet they throw money at Koch because he fills their main need. But Mladenovic doesn’t and said from the start he wanted to go to Texas.
For love of money, a ring, fast swimmin and Frog gigging at Texas BUT it is his rodeo…best wishes Luka.
I understand that people don’t like the lack of parity but it’s his choice and if he feels like he’ll thrive at Texas than good for him 🤷♀️