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NCSA Championship finalist Luke DeFrancisco has announced his commitment to swim for Denison University in Ohio beginning in the fall of 2026, opting to stay close to home after initially committing to UNC-Wilmington.
“After much thought and honest reflection, I have made the exciting decision to change my commitment from The University of North Carolina Wilmington to Denison University. I have decided to continue my journey closer to home, surrounded by the people who have supported me through every step. I am so honored and extremely excited to continue my academic and athletic careers at Denison University! First, I would like to especially thank Coach Gregg and Coach Kellen for giving me this amazing opportunity. I am grateful to become a part of such a great program and to have coaches who have supported me from the beginning of my recruitment. I want to thank God, my family, friends, coaches, and everyone else who has believed in me and supported me throughout this process. I also want to thank the coaching staff and team at UNCW for believing in me and welcoming me. I have the utmost respect for you all, and wish you nothing but the best of luck. Lastly, I am thrilled for the next 4 years and looking forward to what the future holds for me! #GBR”
The Ohio native recently graduated from St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus, where he competed for the school’s varsity swimming and diving team all four years. DeFrancisco currently trains year-round with New Albany Aquatics Club and primarily specializes in breast, fly and IM.
DeFrancisco got off to a strong start in the 2025-2026 short course season with a top showing at the BGSC Senior Fall Invitational in November, turning in four new lifetime bests. He won the 200 IM (1:49.57) and 400 IM (3:56.61), 2nd in the 100 breast (55.80) and 3rd in the 200 back (1:50.31), setting a personal best time in each event. He set a best time of 23.94 in the 50 back as the leadoff on the 200 medley relay and took 2nd in the 200 fly (1:52.46) during prelims but opted out of finals in that event.
At the 2025 Winter Junior Championships – East in December, DeFrancisco logged personal best performances in all three of his individual events. He placed 33rd in the 400 IM (3:55.78), 40th in the 200 IM (1:49.05) and 58th in the 200 fly (1:51.02).
DeFrancisco is a two-time Ohio high school state champion, having won two individual events at the 2026 OHSAA Division II State Championships; he took home the state title in both the 100 breast (56.36) and the 200 IM (1:48.77 – PB).
The 2026 NCSA Spring Championship saw DeFrancisco post a series of strong performances, including three new lifetime best swims. He placed 14th in the 200 IM (1:50.11), 33rd in the 200 breast (2:03.41 – PB), 34th in the 400 IM (3:58.73), 39th in the 200 fly (1:50.80 – PB), 45th in the 100 breast (56.84) and 54th in the 100 free (46.65 – PB).
Best Times SCY
- 200 IM – 1:48.77
- 400 IM – 3:55.78
- 100 breast – 55.80
- 200 breast – 2:03.41
- 100 fly – 50.06
- 200 fly – 1:50.80
A Division III program in the North Coast Athletic Conference, the Denison men successfully defended their conference championship title this past season before claiming their second consecutive NCAA Division III Championship title to close out their 2025-2026 campaign.
Based on the results from the 2026 NCAC Championships, DeFrancisco would have landed in the ‘A’ final in the 100 breast, 200 breast, 200 fly, 200 IM and 400 IM and the ‘B’ final in the 100 fly, setting him up to be a key contributor. He notably would have also earned a second swim in the 200 IM and 400 IM at the NCAA Division III Championships.
Joining DeFrancisco in Denison’s class of 2030 are Jack Eaddy, William Pinchot, Jack White, Wes Drake, Cam Kline, Grant Goins and Benjamin Bricker, who should all make for strong training partners over the next four years.
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