After about three months in the transfer portal, Carl Bloebaum has opted to remain at Virginia Tech.
“This semester I’ve broken my elbow, suffered mono, and had many other issues, and everyone on this team has helped me through it,” Bloebaum wrote “Because of the support from the team, @sergiolopezmiro and @subicule, it’s shown me why I committed in the first place… ”
SwimSwam had previously reported on his entry into the transfer portal, noting that while he was one of the best recruits in his year, he struggled in his first semester at VT. Entering the portal does not require athletes to transfer.
He swam just one semester for the Hokies. His last competition was at the Ohio State Invite in November of 2022.
Times Comparison:
| BEST TIMES IN HS | BEST TIMES AT VT | |
| 50 free | 20.27 | 20.75 (relay split) |
| 100 free | 44.52 | 49.19 |
| 100 fly | 45.68 | 48.58 |
| 200 fly | 1:42.94 | 1:50.64 |
| 100 back | 47.37 | 50.35 |
| 200 back | 1:44.67 | 1:52.55 |
Bloebaum concludes his Instagram post by writing, “It’s been a long journey, and it’ll be an even longer journey back to my best, but I’m ready to go again with @hokiesswimdive. Go Hokies.”
He will be rejoining a squad that finished runners-up at the 2023 ACC Championships. His best times would have ‘A’ finaled in the 100/200 fly at said championships. In the 100 fly at NCAAs, junior Youssef Ramadan backed up his ACC win by becoming VT’s first NCAA champion. The team finished ninth overall.
Joining Bloebaum and Ramadan at VT in the fall are #10 Brendan Whitfield, Daniil Pancerevas, Vedaant Madhavan, Alex Zoldan and Zac Ouzilou.
Excited to have my guy back for another year. Big things to come
Was those times in a swim brief or tech suit? The ones that are his colleges pbs
Tech suit at midseason on the flys, rest are briefs I think
I think you forgot to change your name
Mb
This is great news! I have even more respect and admiration for Carl than I already did. It takes a lot of character, especially these days, to not run from setbacks & disappointments to another program like so many of these athletes do. Best wishes to him, his family & the Virginia Tech program! Last year was just a setup for GREAT things in the future for Carl!
Carl’s got a warriors spirit and from my personal experience with VT Coaching staff — they’re some of the kindest and down to earth people. I’m excited to watch that group continue to grow and succeed
12 downvotes on this is crazy
I truly hope all the people who downvoted this comment steps on a Lego when they least expect it