Men's Swimming Heads to NCAA Championships

Following their runner-up finish at the ACC Championships, the University of Louisville men's swimming and diving team qualified eight swimmers to the 2018 NCAA Championships, which is set to beghin March 21-24 in Minneapolis, Minn. at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center .

The Cardinals have eight swimmers entered in a combined 15 individual races, as well as all five relays. In addition to the individual qualifiers, four relay swimmers will make the trip to Minneapolis.

Nicolas Albiero leads the Cardinals with three individual entries (100 back, 100 fly, and 200 fly). Albiero is coming off a breakout ACC Championships, where he hauled in seven total medals for Louisville, including a gold medal in the 200 fly. The freshman ranks among the top-eight in the 100 back and is seeded ninth in the 200 fly.

Fellow freshman Evgenii Somov is another Cardinal to watch heading into the NCAA Championships. Somov swept the gold medals in both the 100 and 200 breast and is currently ranked ninth in the 200 and 11th in the 100 distance heading into the meet.

Marcelo Acosta is also seeded in scoring position in both of his qualifying events, ranking eighth in the 1650 free and ninth in the 500 free. Acosta was the ACC bronze medalist in both distances. Other Cardinals seeded in the top-10 are ACC 400 IM silver medalist Etay Gurevich (10th) and ACC 100 breast silver medalist Carlos Claverie, who is seeded 10th in the 200 breast.

All five of the Cardinals' relays are currently ranked within the top-16, highlighted by the fourth-seeded 200 medley relay. Louisville won gold in that event at the ACC Championships and is less than a half second back from top-ranked California.

A full list of Louisville qualifiers below:
Marcelo Acosta (500 Free, 1650 Free)
Nicolas Albiero (100 Back, 100 Fly, 200 Fly)
Andrej Barna (50 Free)
Carlos Claverie (100 & 200 Breast)
Etay Gurevich (400 IM)
Zach Harting (200 Fly, 500 Free)
Evgenii Somov (100 & 200 Breast)
Daniel Sos (200 IM & 400 IM)
Relay swimmers: Matyi Kovacs, Nikkos Sofianidis, Samuel Steele, and Jarrett Jones

For Complete Championship Information: http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-swim/spec-rel/2018-NCAA-Championship.html

A Peek at the Cards

The Cardinals hauled in 17 medals at the 2018 ACC Championships, which included four gold, five silver, and eight bronze. The freshman duo of Nick Albiero and Evegenii Somov combined for three of the four golds, with Albiero winning the 200 fly and Somov winning both the 100 and 200 breaststroke. Louisville's 200 medley relay also took home the gold, and all five Cardinal relays earned a medal throughout the championships.

The Cardinals finished second at the 2018 ACC Championships for the second consecutive year, finishing behind the NC State Wolfpack. Louisville scored a collective 1,170.5 points.

Heading into the NCAA Championships, the Cardinals have already broken six school records. Freshman Nick Albiero has set new marks in the 50 backstroke (20.95) and the 200 butterfly (1:41.08). Marcelo Acosta also set two new program marks with records in the 500 free (4:13.70) and 1000 free (8:49.64). In the 50 free, Andrej Barna eclipsed the previous mark with a 19.15, while Etay Gurevich posted a 3:41.30 in the 400 IM.

At the 2017 NCAA Championships, the Cardinals finished 11^th with 143.5 points, just 10 points outside of the top-10.

Louisville returns senior Carlos Claverie, who finished fifth in the 200 breast at last year's NCAA Championships.

The Cardinals qualified eight swimmers in 15 individual events to the 2018 NCAA Championships, as well as all five relays. Nick Albiero leads the Cards with three individual events (100 back, 100 fly, 200 fly).

Arthur Albiero has coached on both the national and international stage since becoming the Cards' head coach in August 2003. He was named to the USA National Team Staff for the 2015 Toronto Pan American Games (assistant coach), 2016 Windsor Short Course World Championships (head women's coach) and the 2017 Budapest FINA World Championships (assistant coach).

Marcelo Acosta

2018 ACC Championships

Silver – 800 free relay
- Split a 1:34.84
Bronze – 500 free (4:13.70), 1650 free (14:41.21)
10^th – 200 free (1:35.32)

2017 Winter National Championships

Bronze – 1650 free (14:54.95), 4x200 free relay (6:26.36)
- Split a 1:34.87
Fourth – 500 free (4:16.35)
Won the consolation final of the 200 free (1:36.04)

2017 NCAA Championships

Placed 10^th in the 1650 free (14:39.79)
Placed 28^th in the 500 free (4:18.04)

Other Information:

UofL record-holder in the 500 free (4:13.70), 1000 free (8:49.64) 1650 free (14:33.68)
Sixth all-time in the 200 free (1:35.32) for UofL

A Member of the El Salvador National Team
As of August 2016, he holds the Salvadoran records in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters and 1500 meters.
In 2016 Marcelo Acosta became the first swimmer from El Salvador to qualify for the Olympic Games with an "A" cut.
At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Acosta finished 22nd in the 1500m Freestyle with a new national record at 15:08.17.
7:55.70 and the 1500m Freestyle at 15:04:79.
Last year. Marcelo won his first ACC Championship in the 1650 free in a time of 14:33.68.

Personal Best Times:
200 free - 1:35.32
500 free - 4:13.70
1650 free - 14:33.68

Nicolas Albiero

2018 ACC Championships
·Gold – 200 fly (1:41.08), 200 medley relay (1:23.41)
Split a 0.95 in the 50 back
200 fly was a new N2ational Age Group Record
·Silver – 100 back (45.44), 400 medley relay (3:05.55)
Split a 45.42 in the backstroke leg
·Bronze – 100 fly (45.60), 200 free relay (1:17.26), 400 free relay (2:51.09)
2017 Winter Nationals
·Gold – 4x200 free relay (6:22.02), 4x50 free relay (1:18.67), 4x100 free relay (2:53.92)
·Silver – 4x50 medley relay (1:25.79), 4x100 medley relay (3:08.73)
·Sixth – 100 fly (47.19)
·Seventh – 100 back (47.36), 200 back (1:43.57)
Other Information:
·UofL record holder in the 50 back (20.95) and 200 fly (1:41.08)
·Ranks second all-time for UofL in the 100 back (45.42) and 100 fly (45.60)
·Ranks sixth all-time for UofL in the 100 free (43.04)
·Ranks seventh all-time for UofL in the 200 back (1:43.57)
·Son of UofL coach Arthur Albiero Nicolas' mother Amy is the head coach of Louisville-based Cardinal Aquatics, and was a 5-time NCAA Division II Champion at Oakland University.
·At the FINA World Junior Championships in 2017, he was a 3 time finalist with a sixth place 100 L Back – 55.29, sixth place 200 L Fly – 1:58.17, and eighth place 50 L Back – 26.20
·For Cardinal Aquatics under coach Chris Lindauer, he became the 18 and under champion in the 100-meter fly at World Championship Trials.
·Nicolas is also a four-time silver medalist and two-time bronze medalist at the Winter Junior Nationals.

Personal Best Times:

100 back – 45.42

100 fly – 45.60

200 back – 1:43.57

200 fly – 1:41.08

Andrej Barna
2018 ACC Championships

Gold – 200 medley relay (1:23.41)
Split an 18.54 in the freestyle leg
Silver – 400 medley relay (3:05.55)
Split a 41.68
Bronze – 50 free (19.16), 200 free relay (1:17.26), 400 free relay (2:51.09)
Sixth – 100 free (42.82)
Eighth – 200 free (1:36.36)

2017 Winter National Championships

Gold – 4x200 free relay (6:22.02), 4x50 free relay (1:18.67), 4x100 free relay (2:53.92)
Silver – 4x100 medley relay (3:08.72), 4x50 medley relay (1:25.79)
Bronze – 50 free (19.44)
Fifth – 200 free (1:35.72)

Sixth – 100 free (43.54)

2018 NCAA Championships

Member of the 13^th place 200 free relay
Led off in a time of 19.54

Other Information

UofL record-holder in the 50 free (19.15)
Third all-time for UofL in the 100 free (42.77)
Fifth all-time for UofL in the 200 free (1:34.92)
In 2015, as a member of the Serbian National Team, Barna was a finalist at Junior European Games in Baku, swam in the 5^th Junior World Championships in Singapore and competed both individually and on relays at the 16^th World Championships in Kazan, Russia.
Named ACC Swimmer of the Week when Barna led Louisville to a win over in-state rival Kentucky, winning all three events he swam in.
Set the Serbian National record in the 4 x 100 free relay in 2017 at the World Championships in Budapest.
Set the Serbian National record in the 4 x 200 free relay at the European Championships in London in 2016.

Personal Best Times
50 Free - 19.15
100 Free – 42.77
200 Free – 1:34.92

Carlos Claverie

2018 ACC Championships

·Gold – 200 medley relay (1:23.41)
Split a 23.55 in the 50 breast leg
·Silver – 100 breast (52.69)
Completed a 1-2 finish for the Cards with Evgenii Somov
·Bronze – 200 breast (1:53.62)
·Sixth – 200 IM (1:45.42)

2017 Winter Nationals

·Silver – 4x50 medley relay (1:25.79), 4x100 medley relay (3:08.73)
Split a 51.96 in the breast leg of the 400 medley relay
·Fifth – 200 breast (1:53.10)
·Seventh – 100 breast (52.83), 200 IM (1:45.70)
2017 NCAA Championships
·Member of the fifth place 400 medley relay (3:03.96)
Split a 51.54 in the breaststroke leg
·Placed fifth in the 200 breast (1:52.81)
·Member of the eighth place 200 medley relay (1:24.06)
Split a 23.59 in the breaststroke leg
·Placed 13^th in the 100 breast (52.39)

Other Information:

·UofL record-holder in the 200 medley relay (1:23.34) and 400 medley relay (3:03.96)
·Ranks third all-time for UofL in both the 100 (51.87) and 200 (1:52.81) breast
·Ranks sixth all-time for UofL in the 200 IM (1:44.37)
·Ranks ninth all-time for UofL in the 400 IM (3:47.97)
·A 2016 Rio Olympian for Venezuela. He competed in the men's 100M breaststroke event at the 2016 Summer Olympics
·Carlos qualified for the 2017 World Championships, placing 19th in the 200-meter breast (2:11.71), 28th in the 100-meter breast (1:00.83), and 39th in the 50-meter breast (28.28) for Venezuela.

Personal Best Times

100 breast – 51.87

200 breast – 1:52.81

200 IM – 1:44.37

Etay Gurevich

2018 ACC Championships

Silver – 400 IM (3:41.30)
Fifth – 200 IM (1:44.19)
Won the consolation final in the 200 fly (1:43.54)

2017 Winter National Championships

Silver – 400 IM (3:45.78)
Bronze – 4x200 free relay (6:26.36)

2017 NCAA Championships

Placed 13^th in the 400 IM (3:43.27)
Placed 26^th in the 200 fly (1:43.83)
Placed 35^th in the 500 free (4:20.08)

Other Information

School record-holder in the 400 IM (3:41.30)
Fourth all-time for UofL in the 200 IM (1:44.19)
Fourth all-time for UofL in the 200 fly (1:43.54)
Ninth all-time for UofL in the 500 free (4:20.08)
First name is pronounced EE- tie
Gurevich is a member of the Israeli National Team and swims for Hapoel Jerusalem
Spent a year in the Israeli Army
Swam for Israel at the 2017 World Championships

Personal Best Times
200 IM – 1:44.19
400 IM – 3:41.30
200 Fly – 1:43.54

Zach Harting
2018 ACC Championships

Gold – 200 medley relay (1:23.41)
- Split a 20.37 in the 50 fly leg
Silver – 800 free relay (6:16.88)
- Split a 1:32.22
Bronze – 400 free relay (2:51.09), 200 free relay (1:17.26)
Fourth – 200 fly (1:41.54)
Sixth – 100 fly (46.03)
Won the consolation final in the 500 free (4:14.92)

2017 Winter Nationals

Gold – 4x200 free relay (6:22.02), 4x100 free relay (2:53.92), 4x50 free relay (1:18.67)
Silver – 4x50 medley relay (1:25.79), 4x100 medley relay (3:08.73)
Bronze – 200 fly (1:44.51)
Seventh – 100 fly (47.28)

2017 NCAA Championships

Member of the eighth place 800 free relay team (6:12.81)
- Split a 1:32.62
Placed 11^th in the 200 fly (1:41.65)
Placed 21^st in the 500 free (4:16.34)
Placed 23^rd in the 100 fly (46.12)

Other Information

UofL record-holder in the 800 free relay (6:12.30)

Ranks second all-time for UofL in the 200 fly (1:41.54) and 500 free (4:14.92)
Ranks fourth all-time for UofL in the 100 fly (46.03)
Ranks seventh all-time for UofL in the 400 IM (3:47.81)
Member of the USA National Team
Placed sixth in the 100m and 200m fly at 2017 Phillips 66 Nationals
Finalist in the 200m fly at 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials.
Qualified for the World University Games
Loves the superhero Batman and has worn Batman mask and jammies to the blocks.

Personal Best Times:
500 Free – 4:14.92
100 Fly – 46.02
200 Fly – 1:41.65

Jarrett Jones

2018 ACC Championships

·Silver – 800 free relay (6:16.88)
oAnchored with a 1:34.95
·Eighth – 400 IM (3:48.10)
·Placed 11^th in the 200 fly (1:44.23)
·Placed 13^th in the 500 free (4:19.87)

2017 Winter Nationals

·Silver – 4x50 free relay (1:20.75)
oSplit a 19.91
·Bronze – 4x200 free relay (6:26.36), 4x100 free relay (2:56.95)
·Fifth – 200 fly (1:44.99)
·Sixth – 400 IM (3:50.06)

2017 NCAA Championships

·Placed 33^rd in the 400 IM (3:50.32)
·Placed 38^th in the 200 fly (1:46.28)
·Placed 47^th in the 500 free (4:23.31)

Other Information:

·Fourth all-time for UofL in the 400 IM (3:43.36)
·Seventh all-time for UofL in the 200 fly (1:44.23) and 1000 free ( 9:14.35)
·Eighth all-time for UofL in the 500 free (4:19.87)
Olympic Trials Qualifier in the 400-meter IM and the 15-18 New England age group record holder in that event.

Personal Best Times:

500 Free – 4:19.87

400 IM – 3:43.46

200 Fly – 1:44.23

Nikkos Sofianidis

2018 ACC Championships

·Silver – 400 medley relay (3:05.55)
oSplit a 46.53 in the 100 fly
·Fifth – 200 back (1:41.86)
·Placed 11^th in the 100 back (46.78)
·Placed 14^th in the 100 fly (46.84)

2017 Winter Nationals

·Gold – 4x100 free relay (2:53.92)
·Silver 4x50 free relay (1:20.75)
·Sixth – 200 back (1:43.50)
·Eighth – 100 back (47.47)

Other Information:

·Ranks fourth all-time for UofL in the 200 back (1:41.86)
·Ranks fifth all-time for UofL in the 100 back (46.78) and 50 back (22.10)
·Ranks sixth all-time for UofL in the 100 fly (46.56)
·Won two bronze medals for Greece in the European Championships
·National Junior Champion for Greece in the 50, 100, and 200 back

Personal Best Times

100 back – 46.78

100 fly – 46.56

200 back – 1:41.57

Evgenii Somov
2018 ACC Championships

Gold – 100 breast (52.18), 200 breast (1:53.05)
- Swept the breaststroke events
- Was part of a 1-2 Cardinal finish in the 100 breast with Carlos Claverie

Silver – 400 medley relay (3:05.55)
- Split a 51.92 in the breast leg
Placed 11^th in the 200 IM (1:45.02)

Other Information:

Ranks fourth all-time for UofL in the 100 breast (52.18) and 200 breast (1:53.05)
Ranks eighth all-time for UofL in the 200 IM (1:45.02)

Evgenii joined the Cardinals in January.
At the World Junior Champioships Russia's he finished fourth for Russia in the 100M breast final 1:00.93) and won bronze in the 4 x 100 medley relay.
At the Junior European Championships, he won gold in the 200M breaststroke, a bronze in the 50M breast, a silver in 4 x 100M medley.

Personal Best Times

100 breast – 52.18

200 breast – 1:53.05

200 IM – 1:45.02

Daniel Sos

2018 ACC Championships
·Bronze – 200 IM (1:43.86)
·Fourth – 400 IM (3:42.68)
·Placed 13^th in the 200 back (1:43.09)

Other Information:

·Ranks second all-time for UofL in the 200 IM (1:43.86)
·Ranks third all-time for UofL in the 400 IM (3:42.68)
·Ranks sixth all-time for UofL in the 200 back (1:43.09)
·Daniel joined the Cardinals for training trip in December and then competed in the dual season beginning in January.
·A member of the Hungarian National Team. He swam in the World Championships in Budapest when he 200 individual medley in Budapest.

Personal Best Times:

200 IM – 1:43.86

400 IM – 3:42.68

200 back – 1:43.09

Sam Steele
2018 ACC Championships

·Silver – 800 free relay (6:16.88)

oLed off in a 1:34.76

·Sixth – 200 free (1:35.12)

2017 Winter Nationals

·Gold – 4x200 free relay (6:22.02)
·Bronze – 4x100 free relay (2:56.95)
·Seventh – 200 free (1:35.93)
Other Information:
·Ranks fourth all-time in UofL history in the 200 free (1:34.77)
·Ranks seventh all-time in UofL history in the 500 free (4:19.56)

Personal Best Times:

200 free – 1:34.76

500 free – 4:19.56

100 free – 44.57

Quick Links Here

University of Louisville Athletics

Nicolas Albiero

2018 ACC Championships

·Gold – 200 fly (1:41.08), 200 medley relay (1:23.41)

Split a 0.95 in the 50 back

200 fly was a new N2ational Age Group Record

·Silver – 100 back (45.44), 400 medley relay (3:05.55)

Split a 45.42 in the backstroke leg

·Bronze – 100 fly (45.60), 200 free relay (1:17.26), 400 free relay (2:51.09)

2017 Winter Nationals

·Gold – 4x200 free relay (6:22.02), 4x50 free relay (1:18.67), 4x100 free relay (2:53.92)

·Silver – 4x50 medley relay (1:25.79), 4x100 medley relay (3:08.73)

·Sixth – 100 fly (47.19)

·Seventh – 100 back (47.36), 200 back (1:43.57)

Other Information:

·UofL record holder in the 50 back (20.95) and 200 fly (1:41.08)

·Ranks second all-time for UofL in the 100 back (45.42) and 100 fly (45.60)

·Ranks sixth all-time for UofL in the 100 free (43.04)

·Ranks seventh all-time for UofL in the 200 back (1:43.57)

·Son of UofL coach Arthur Albiero Nicolas' mother Amy is the head coach of Louisville-based Cardinal Aquatics, and was a 5-time NCAA Division II Champion at Oakland University.

·At the FINA World Junior Championships in 2017, he was a 3 time finalist with a sixth place 100 L Back – 55.29, sixth place 200 L Fly – 1:58.17, and eighth place 50 L Back – 26.20

·For Cardinal Aquatics under coach Chris Lindauer, he became the 18 and under champion in the 100-meter fly at World Championship Trials.

·Nicolas is also a four-time silver medalist and two-time bronze medalist at the Winter Junior Nationals.

Personal Best Times:

100 back – 45.42

100 fly – 45.60

200 back – 1:43.57

200 fly – 1:41.08

Carlos Claverie

2018 ACC Championships

·Gold – 200 medley relay (1:23.41)

Split a 23.55 in the 50 breast leg

·Silver – 100 breast (52.69)

Completed a 1-2 finish for the Cards with Evgenii Somov

·Bronze – 200 breast (1:53.62)

·Sixth – 200 IM (1:45.42)

2017 Winter Nationals

·Silver – 4x50 medley relay (1:25.79), 4x100 medley relay (3:08.73)

Split a 51.96 in the breast leg of the 400 medley relay

·Fifth – 200 breast (1:53.10)

·Seventh – 100 breast (52.83), 200 IM (1:45.70)

2017 NCAA Championships

·Member of the fifth place 400 medley relay (3:03.96)

Split a 51.54 in the breaststroke leg

·Placed fifth in the 200 breast (1:52.81)

·Member of the eighth place 200 medley relay (1:24.06)

Split a 23.59 in the breaststroke leg

·Placed 13th in the 100 breast (52.39)

Other Information:

·UofL record-holder in the 200 medley relay (1:23.34) and 400 medley relay (3:03.96)

·Ranks third all-time for UofL in both the 100 (51.87) and 200 (1:52.81) breast

·Ranks sixth all-time for UofL in the 200 IM (1:44.37)

·Ranks ninth all-time for UofL in the 400 IM (3:47.97)

·A 2016 Rio Olympian for Venezuela. He competed in the men's 100M breaststroke event at the 2016 Summer Olympics

·Carlos qualified for the 2017 World Championships, placing 19th in the 200-meter breast (2:11.71), 28th in the 100-meter breast (1:00.83), and 39th in the 50-meter breast (28.28) for Venezuela.

Personal Best Times

100 breast – 51.87

200 breast – 1:52.81

200 IM – 1:44.37

Jarrett Jones

2018 ACC Championships

·Silver – 800 free relay (6:16.88)

oAnchored with a 1:34.95

·Eighth – 400 IM (3:48.10)

·Placed 11th in the 200 fly (1:44.23)

·Placed 13th in the 500 free (4:19.87)

2017 Winter Nationals

·Silver – 4x50 free relay (1:20.75)

oSplit a 19.91

·Bronze – 4x200 free relay (6:26.36), 4x100 free relay (2:56.95)

·Fifth – 200 fly (1:44.99)

·Sixth – 400 IM (3:50.06)

2017 NCAA Championships

·Placed 33rd in the 400 IM (3:50.32)

·Placed 38th in the 200 fly (1:46.28)

·Placed 47th in the 500 free (4:23.31)

Other Information:

·Fourth all-time for UofL in the 400 IM (3:43.36)

·Seventh all-time for UofL in the 200 fly (1:44.23) and 1000 free ( 9:14.35)

·Placed 13^th in the 100 breast (52.39)

·Placed 11^th in the 200 fly (1:44.23)

·Placed 13^th in the 500 free (4:19.87)

·Placed 33^rd in the 400 IM (3:50.32)

·Placed 38^th in the 200 fly (1:46.28)

·Placed 47^th in the 500 free (4:23.31)

·Placed 11^th in the 100 back (46.78)

·Placed 14^th in the 100 fly (46.84)

·Placed 13^th in the 200 back (1:43.09)

Sam Steele
2018 ACC Championships