NCAA Record Holder Luca Urlando Scratching NCAAs Due To “Minor Injury”

2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships

NCAA record holder Luca Urlando will not compete at the 2026 NCAA Championships due to a “minor injury.”  Urlando holds the NCAA record in the men’s 200 fly and was the top seed in the event by over a second.

Although he does not give details on the injury, this is not the first time that Urlando has battled injury. Back in November 2022, Urlando had to be helped out of the pool during a 100 IM at the FINA World Cup. He underwent surgery later that month.

The loss of Urlando is a huge blow for the Georgia men as he scored 45 individual points at the 2025 NCAA Championships, including a win in the 200 fly, 3rd place finish in the 100 fly, and a 9th place finish in the 200 IM.

He was seeded to score 35 individual points at NCAAs next week, as the top seed in the 200 fly, #4 seed in the 100 fly, and #20 seed in the 100 back. The team’s next highest scorer based off of seed is Ruard Van Renen who is seeded to score 15 individual points.

Not only is Urlando’s absence going to hurt at the individual level, but it also will impact relays. Georgia is currently seeded to score 52 relay points, with 42 of those projected to come in both medley relays.

With Urlando’s scratch, Alexey Glivinskiy of Texas will now be taken off the alternate list. Glivinsky was the #29 seed in the 200 free with a 1:32.23.

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SacSwim88
2 months ago

“Minor injury” = failed drug test?

Jenna Quasarano
2 months ago

Hope he heals up quickly,

Elin
2 months ago

Why do you «» the minor injury?

Emily Se-Bom Lee
Reply to  Elin
2 months ago

the type of injury has not been disclosed, so urlando’s (vague) direct quote is all anyone has to go on

Cabo Bob
2 months ago

Rest up, Luca! USA needs you on the international stage. As cool as NCAAs are, 2028 is more important.

Owlmando
2 months ago

G D I!!

lil_swimma
2 months ago

Arghhhhh darn it. Praying for him- hope he’s alright ASAP

Devan
2 months ago

Gotta be kidding me

Bobthebuilderrocks
2 months ago

Kinda hope Luca just goes pro at this point. 2 years until LA, has a chance to win the 200 fly at a home games, some that the greatest 200 butterflier never got the chance to do. Don’t get the appeal of swimming yards. Won an NCAA title, surpassed King Cong’s record. Milak pooped out, who knows if Leon will swim the 200 fly (although that December 1:52.3 probably suggest he’s not done with it) Let’s see a freaking sub 1:50 in LA

Also, doubt it happens but I want to see Glivinskiy get scratched for Gould. I get the impression Gould’s got more to show and I just doubt Glivinskiy has got more to show for this SCY season.

Michael Andrew Wilson
Reply to  Bobthebuilderrocks
2 months ago

If Gould is the next man up, surely there will be one more person who has to scratch for some reason. Hopefully. Who knows whether either has more in the tank…

Cabo Bob
Reply to  Michael Andrew Wilson
2 months ago

They’re both in.

Bobthebuilderrocks
Reply to  Cabo Bob
2 months ago

who scratched?

PFA
Reply to  Bobthebuilderrocks
2 months ago

Norris

Andrew
Reply to  Bobthebuilderrocks
2 months ago

Somehow makes a Luca Urlando injury post about Alexey Glivinskiy and Garrett Gould you genuinely cannot make this up lmao

Bobthebuilderrocks
Reply to  Andrew
2 months ago

I do what I want 😘

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 …

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