NCAA Division II Champion Vova Gavrysh will join the Tennessee men’s program this upcoming season. Gavrysh just finished his sophomore season with McKendree.
Gavrysh swam to two Division II NCAA titles this March. He won the 200 free in a 1:32.50. His other win came in the 200 fly, touching in a 1:42.52. He also was 2nd in the 200 IM (1:44.32) and 5th in the 100 free (42.91).
In addition to his individual contributions, Gavrysh was a huge relay contributor for McKendree. He led the team’s 800 free relay off in a Division II record with a 1:32.40 200 free. He also led off in a 19.60 on the 200 free relay and a 42.71 100 free in the 400 free relay.
Gavrysh’s Best SCY Times Are:
- 50 free: 19.60
- 100 free: 42.71
- 200 free: 1:32.40
- 200 fly: 1:42.33
- 200 IM: 1:44.32
The Tennessee men finished 5th at the 2026 NCAA Championships with 272 points. The team was led by senior Gui Caribe who scored 39 individual points including a 2nd place finish in the 50 free with a 18.19.
Gavrysh is another big time transfer set to arrive at Tennessee this fall, joining Julian Koch who will arrive from Pitt. Koch was 4th at Division I NCAAs in the 100 free with a 40.43 and also swam a 1:31.95 200 free while leading off Pitt’s 800 free relay.
Both Koch and Gavrysh are huge additions, especially with the graduation of Caribe. Tennessee’s 800 free relay had two splits above 1:34, so Koch and Gavrysh’s times from NCAAs would have been strong additions to Tennessee’s relay that was 16th. Koby Bujak-Upton led Tennessee’s relay off in a 1:29.79.
Gavrysh’s best times would have been 2nd in the 200 fly, 3rd in the 100 free, 4th in the 50 free, and 5th in the 100 free this past season on Tennessee’s roster. It took a 1:32.13 200 free as a non-automatic qualifier to earn an individual invite to NCAAs while it took a 1:40.77 200 fly.
The ghost of Ray Bussard likes this
This plus Miles Blackson Dunbar coming in as a freshman from Beach Cities Alpha in SoCal…the Vols are going to have a loaded sprint corp
Very smart Transfer additions for Coach Matt. Koch and Vova reinforce relays, relays and relays which mean big points. Also digging out transfers from lower echelon schools means more potential upside when introduced to the KOTB training method.
2027 sharing up to be a banner year for both the Man Vols and Lady Vols…Understand there will be another surprise addition coming at mid-year!!!
Go VOLS – VFE.
Another interesting note – Koby Bujak-Upton’s older brother? related to? Tyson Upton. Started college in 2020 at Florida, transferred to McKendree, graduates this year too, overlapping with Vova.
Believe bujak-Upton’s brother moving into a coaching position in Nth Cal
Tennessee best 4×200 fr relay add up with these two transfers is a 6:05.5, faster than Texas winning time
a Tennessee 800 free relay win would be pretty neat
Don’t stop with the win in the 800 FR Relay – The Man Vols are tracking on to take the title from (dare I say) TEXAS!
and the rich get richer…
Bro your a texas fan
Nah wrong guy