The Indiana Hoosiers expect NCAA champion diver Andrew Capobianco and NCAA runner-up distance man Michael Brinegar to return from Olympic gap years, provided the pandemic doesn’t cause any wrinkles.
“As of now we expect to have them both back but with this pandemic who knows for sure,” said head coach Ray Looze.
Brinegar is one of college swimming’s elite young milers. As a freshman in 2019, he took second at NCAAs in the 1650 free, going 14:27.50. He sat out last college season, heading to California to train with the Mission Viejo Nadadores club in preparation for U.S. Olympic Trials, where he was a contender in the 800 and 1500 freestyles. Brinegar is also an open water standout, though those Olympic berths had already been decided before his Olympic gap year.
Brinegar should be a sophomore this season.
Brinegar’s Top Times
- 1650y free – 14:27.50
- 1000y free – 8:47.53
- 500y free – 4:16.46
- 200y free – 1:38.96
Capobianco was the 2019 NCAA champion on 3-meter for IU. As a freshman, he scored on all three boards, taking 11th on 1-meter, 8th on 3-meter and 3rd on platform. He’s a massive addition back into the Hoosier lineup this year. Last season, the perennial diving powerhouse had just one Big Ten A finalist in any of the three boards: Mory Gould, who was 6th on 3-meter.
Capobianco should be a junior this season
But…won’t they want to have another gap year as the Olympics are now in 2021? Are IU saying they expect them back “contractually”.
IU’s announcement about their fall back to campus plan may have athletes of his caliber reconsider going back.
Wow the Hoosiers are looking great!Coach Looze continues to recruit and coach like the champion his is! Congratulations Ray!
Butter