US Olympian Aaron Shackell has committed to Indiana, joining younger siblings Alex Shackell and Andrew Shackell with his commitment. Aaron made the announcement by placing @indianaswimdive in his Instagram bio.
Aaron is expected to have a “hybrid” schedule just like his sister Alex will have, training with their club team Carmel Swim Club. Alex and Aaron both represented the US last summer at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Carmel is just over an hour north of Bloomington, Indiana.
Indiana will be the third university that Aaron will have represented during his collegiate career. He arrived at Cal in fall 2023 and swam for the Golden Bears during the fall semester. He then returned home to train with his club team at Carmel while taking an Olympic Redshirt. This past season, Aaron began the fall semester with Texas and returned home to Carmel for the spring semester.
Aaron Shackell was the #6 ranked recruit in the boys high school class of 2023. His last collegiate meet was midseason with Texas when he swam a 4:30.94 in the 500 free, off his lifetime best of a 4:15.35 that he swam in high school.
Last month, Aaron competed at US Summer Nationals. He missed making the the ‘A’ final of the 200 free by 0.30 seconds, swimming a 1:46.50 to be tied for 10th in prelims. He went on to finish 11th in finals (1:47.25). He also was 10th in the 200 fly (1:57.09) and 12th in the 400 free (3:52.25) but scratched both events in finals. His lifetime best in the 400 free stands at a 3:45.45, a time that he swam for 6th in the event at the Paris Olympics.
Aaron Shackell‘s Lifetime Best SCY Times:
- 200 free: 1:32.85
- 500 free: 4:15.35
- 100 fly: 47.04
- 200 fly: 1:43.40
The Indiana men finished 3rd at the 2025 NCAA Championships with 459 points, only 12 points behind 2nd place Cal. Owen McDonald,who arrived this past season after transferring from Arizona State, led the team in the pool with 42 individual points. McDonald notably led the team in the 200 free with a 1:31.14.
The team graduated their top butterflyers from this past season. Finn Brooks led the team in the 100 fly (44.59) while Tomer Frankel led the team in the 200 fly (1:40.94).
The Indiana men welcome numerous top recruits this fall out of high school including #4 Luke Ellis, #6 Josh Bey, #18 Noah Cakir, and BOTR Andrew Shackell.
There’s a lot of overlap between the 3 siblings and the schools they’ve rotated through. It’s almost a blueprint at this point. I hope at some point they branch off and form their own identities
If you are a parent of a recruit I wouldn’t let your kid swim at IU. Have them go there and be invested in a team, train their butts off and all of that just to be replaced by someone who decides when to show up and take opportunity from you.
I am curious where they are living. If they are living in dorms and going back home for maybe a Friday afternoon, Saturday morning workout combo with Carmel, that’s less disruptive to the team than them living at home and popping in a few days with IU.
it would appear they are practicing with CSC, living at home and popping in for IU meets. Maybe have a pied a terre in B-town?
where have you seen any details? I haven’t seen anything other than noting it’ll be a “hybrid” schedule?
TBH some Club Programs are stronger and more effective than D1 Power 4 programs
if he was able to get out of IN, why would be going back?
I don’t know anyone who had a chance to get out of Indiana, took it, got out! And then returned.
What was his reason?
it’s simple
they’re training with carmel, not IU. and IU is the only school that will tolerate that request
Ehhh. Debatable. If they called up Indiana State and asked for the same deal, I’d bet Indiana State would oblige.
Indiana might be the only program with enough NIL money that would accommodate? Who knows. It’s an unusual ask so hasn’t been tested at most big programs.
West coast, southwest, and now the Midwest. Maybe NC State or UVA is next👀
If he leaves Indiana, what’s the point of a coach even letting him on their team? Seems like he would be a huge distraction IMO
Are the kids going to just reside with the parents for the rest of their lives? I agree with the commenter that said there was no way when they were 18 to 20 would they ever have chosen to stay home rather than be away at school. Time for the kids to grow up a little.
Fork found in kitchen ahh announcement