Trials-Qualifying Sprinter Max zum Tobel Makes Verbal Commitment to NC State

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Maximilian (Max) zum Tobel from Boca Raton, Florida has announced on social media that he intends to join the North Carolina State University men’s swimming and diving class of 2026.

“I am extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at NC State University! I want to thank my coaches, friends, and family for all the support. It is now a dream come true. I’m really exited to start the next chapter of my career!! Go Pack♦️🐺 #PBG”

Zum Tobel is a senior at Boca Raton High School. He swims year-round with the club team Saint Andrew’s Aquatics and specializes in sprint free. He qualified for 2020 United States Olympic Team Trials Wave I in the 50m free with 23.16 at the SOFLO Last Chance OT Qualifier in May. At Trials, he went 23.39 in the event and finished 57th. In March, he notched PBs in the LCM 200 free (1:58.25), 50 breast (30.87), and 50 fly (26.08) at Southern Zone South Sectional Championships (Site 2) where he finaled in the 50/200 free and 100 breast. A month later he added a personal best in the 100m free (51.74) at Piranhas Senior Invitational.

In high school swimming, he placed 8th in the 50 free (47.50) and 11th in the 50 free (21.52) as a sophomore at the 2019 Florida High School 4A State Swimming and Diving Championships. Last December, he competed at the 18&U Virtual Winter Championships in Stuart, placing 5th in the 100 free (45.80) and 6th in the 100 breast (59.74) -both with best times- and added time-trial PBs in the 50 free (21.21), 50 breast (27.58), and 50 fly (23.90). In January of this year, he updated his times in the 50 breast (27.44) and 50 fly (23.69). Two months later, he swam lifetime bests in the 50/100/200 free and 100 breast at NCSA Spring Championships, finaling in the 50 free (10th), 100 free (12th), and 200 free (22nd).

Top SCY Times:

• 50 free – 20.45
• 100 free – 45.05
• 200 free – 1:40.26
• 50 breast – 27.44
• 100 breast – 57.90

The NC State class of 2026 is shaping up to be another strong recruit class, with verbal commitments from zum Tobel, Collin McKenzie, Drew Salls, JT Ewing, Kyle Ponsler, Lance Norris, Michael Cotter, Quintin McCarty, Ryan Weaver, and Stephen Conrad. The Wolfpack is known to attract top sprint talent, and in addition to zum Tobel, McCarty (19.95/43.67) brings firepower to the shorter end of the freestyle range. Interestingly, though, NC State will have the long end covered, too, with Cotter (1:34.35/4:19.93/9:26.32/15:28.50), Norris (1:38.29/4:20.64/9:00.96/14:58.94), and Ponsler (1:38.84/4:23.37/9:31.39/15:41.41).

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