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Alberto Hernandez, a native of Saint Andreu, Spain, has committed to join the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers next fall. Hernandez is a versatile swimmer who competes for Club Natacio Saint Andreu in his hometown. Hernandez will arrive in the Twin Cities in the fall.
Hernandez told SwimSwam, “UM has an interesting swimming program with a lot of future, and it is also a great university academically.”
Hernandez will join the Gophers with some significant international experience under his belt, including competing at the Mare Nostrum series and at the 2019 European Youth Olympic Festival in Baku. At the 2021 Barcelona stop of Mare Nostrum, Hernandez finished just off the podium in fourth in the 200 back, posting a lifetime best of 2:02.87.
Hernandez’ LCM (SCY Conversion) lifetime bests include:
- 200 free: 1:53.03 (1:38.94)
- 400 free: 4:01.37 (4:30.44)
- 100 back: 56.25 (49.59)
- 200 back: 2:02.87 (1:48.53)
- 100 fly: 55.03 (48.31)
- 200 fly: 2:03.70 (1:48.91)
- 200 IM: 2:03.88 (1:48.72)
- 400 IM: 4:28.06 (3:55.72)
The Spaniard projects primarily as an IMer for the Gophers and can swim fly, back or free individually as well. Hernandez’ converted 400 IM would have been third on the roster this season, while his 200 fly and 200 back would have been the 5th-fastest Gopher this season. Hernandez may also play a role on Minnesota’s 800 free relay, as 5th-year Cameron Kelley was the slowest leg at Big 10s with a 1:38.65, just three tenths faster than Hernandez’ converted time.
Hernandez projects to make an immediate impact for the Gophers when he arrives on campus in the fall, as his converted 400 IM and 200 back would have qualified for the C final at Big 10s last year. He will add some depth in both of those events for the The Gophers, as they had three scorers in the 400 IM and two scorers in the 200 back at this year’s conference meet.
He joins Denton Smith, Connor Groya, Jack Ballard and Drew Kistler in Minnesota’s class of 2026.
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MN needs one of these international swimmers to click. The last batch didn’t really do anything for em even at the conference level.
Seriously? Bar Soloveychik has been a solid addition to the team.
Absolutely agree! Was more referencing the South Africans an I think another Israeli swimmer they had within the last 4-5 yrs