The University of Tennessee announced on Apr. 30 the addition of four new members to its men’s swimming and diving roster for the upcoming 2026-27 season, including two transfers and two incoming freshmen.
The announcement introduces Julian Koch, a transfer from the University of Pittsburgh; Vova Gavrysh, a transfer from McKendree University; Brody Chandler, a junior national champion swimmer; and Juan Manuel Lopez Gomez, a decorated junior Colombian diver.
Koch joins Tennessee after two seasons at Pitt where he placed fourth in the 100 freestyle at the 2026 NCAA Championships with a personal best time of 40.43 seconds. He also finished eighth in the 100 butterfly and won his first individual collegiate medal by taking bronze in that event at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships. Koch has represented Germany internationally, earning silver medals at both European Junior and Under-23 Championships.
Gavrysh arrives as a Division II record-holder from McKendree. He recently won national titles in both the 200 freestyle and 200 butterfly at the NCAA Division II Championships, breaking the DII record in the former with a time of 1:32.40. Gavrysh claimed three gold medals at this year’s Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships.
Chandler is ranked as one of SwimSwam’s top recruits nationally for his class. He has been named to multiple All-American teams and was crowned junior national champion in the 50 freestyle at last year’s Speedo Junior National Championships.
Lopez Gomez will add depth to Tennessee’s diving program following international success representing Colombia, including winning multiple junior national championships and medaling at both South American and Pan-American competitions.
