SEC Finalist Nik Eberly to Transfer from Auburn to Michigan

Sprint specialist Nik Eberly has announced that he will move back to his home state and swim for the University of Michigan beginning in the 2021-2022 season. Eberly swam his first two years at Auburn University before deciding to make the move.

Auburn’s head coach Gary Taylor left the program in April after 3 seasons in charge. This move will bring Eberly closer to his home in Dexter, Michigan which is just a few miles from Ann Arbor, where the University of Michigan is located.

Eberly was a 2019 Michigan HS Boys Division 2 State champion. He went a 20.40 in both prelims and finals of the 50 free to take the gold medals. He also picked up a gold medal in the 100 fly (47.79), touching 2.15 seconds ahead of the next swimmer. He led off Dexter High School’s 400 free relay and he swam the fly leg of the 200 medley relay. They touched first and second, respectively.

Eberly has improved his times while at Auburn. He finished 8th in the 50 free at the 2021 SEC Championships. He made it back in the C-final of the 100 fly, ultimately touching 18th. He went on to swim at the 2021 DI NCAA champs, finishing 24th in the 50 free and 30th in the 100 fly.

  Best time before college Best time at Auburn
100 fly 47.79 46.63
200 fly 1:49.22 1:52.35
50 free 20.40 19.38
100 free 45.81 44.45

Eberly is expected to be impactful for the 2021 Big 10 Conference champions. His 50 free and 100 fly times would have placed him in the A-finals at the 2021 meet. He would have been Michigan’s second-fastest flyer during the 2021-2022 season and their fourth-fastest 50 freestyler.

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big loss for Auburn…
2 years ago

This is a big loss for Auburn. I also find it interesting that he’s leaving now vs. when the coaching change was first announced.

Last edited 2 years ago by big loss for Auburn…
Hswimmer
Reply to  big loss for Auburn…
2 years ago

Maybe he missed home

big loss for Auburn…
Reply to  Hswimmer
2 years ago

Maybe… but it’s also been a very different team vibe (in & out of the pool) the past few months (and not necessarily in a good way.)

Hswimmer
Reply to  big loss for Auburn…
2 years ago

Oh I’ve heard lol

Always learning
Reply to  big loss for Auburn…
2 years ago

He’s never been the most inclusive team member

big loss for Auburn…
Reply to  Always learning
2 years ago

I don’t really think this is a fair statement.

big loss for Auburn…
Reply to  big loss for Auburn…
2 years ago

yikes…true or not- no need to write this

B1G Daddy
Reply to  Hswimmer
2 years ago

He’s actually been home, training at Club Wolverine for a bit.

Samulih
Reply to  big loss for Auburn…
2 years ago

missing home, coaches change so finally had balls to made change, who knows…….

big loss for Auburn…
Reply to  Samulih
2 years ago

The program he committed to (and with everything that has transpired the past few months) is not what he (or the others) signed up for. He seems to be a hard working and focused athlete.

Bruh
Reply to  big loss for Auburn…
2 years ago

Transfers take time, talking with other coaches takes time, feeling it out takes time.

big loss for Auburn…
Reply to  Bruh
2 years ago

Agreed… but in this case, the thought of possibly leaving Auburn happened only after the new staff was brought in.

Sarcastic
Reply to  big loss for Auburn…
2 years ago

“Only happened when the new staff came in” aka he came for the former staff, meaning Auburn itself wasn’t why he was there. It’s very typical for athletes to go somewhere for a coach or coaches, and leave when they are gone. Don’t put negative energy on a new staff that has been there for less than a month.

big loss for Auburn…
Reply to  Sarcastic
2 years ago

1. He had one of his same coaches retained and continue to work with him (Gideon)

2. If he was only there at Auburn for Coach Taylor/his staff, then why didn’t he transfer in April? He gave the new coaching staff (and their culture/environment) a try. It sounds like it wasn’t his cup of tea.

I assure you that I’m not “putting negative energy on a new staff”

Coach
Reply to  big loss for Auburn…
2 years ago

Can’t we just be happy for the kid and wish him well on his next endeavor?

big loss for Auburn…
Reply to  Coach
2 years ago

YES! Of course! This is a great pickup for Michigan, and wishing Nik happiness and success.

Erik
Reply to  Coach
2 years ago

Then it wouldn’t be a swimswam comment thread and we can’t have that now, can we…

SUNY Cal
2 years ago

Welcome home, Nik!

Chaptownrelays
2 years ago

Great pick-up for Michigan! Congrats Nik!