 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana redshirt junior swimmer and 2020 Olympian Michael Brinegar announced on Thursday that he will forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility and turn professional in pursuit of an Olympic return at the 2024 Paris games.
“I would like to announce that I am forgoing my final year of collegiate eligibility to turn pro and focus my training in preparation for the upcoming international schedule leading up to Paris 2024,†Brinegar said. “I want to express my appreciation to [my coaches at IU] for the time and energy they invested in me during my time in Bloomington.
“I am proud that my teammates and I were able to win two Big Ten team titles and accomplish three top-six NCAA team finishes in my three years as a Hoosier. IU practices, meets, trips and team activities are things I will miss as I return to California to resume training with Mark Schubert and The Swim Team (SET).
“I look forward to representing Team USA in Portugal at the end of May.
“Go Hoosiers. Go Team USA.â€
The Columbus, Indiana, native finishes his collegiate career after helping IU to its fourth Big Ten Championship in six seasons, taking part in the 2019 and 2022 titles. In three seasons at Indiana, Brinegar was a three-time All-American, two-time all-conference selection and the 2021 Big Ten Champion in the 1,650 Freestyle. Brinegar placed top-five in the mile at Big Tens all three seasons and top-ten at the national meet three times while earning silver his freshman campaign after swimming a career-best and program record 14:27.50.
“It has been an honor to coach Michael the last three years,†IU head swimming coach Ray Looze said. “Indiana University has a storied history with his family, and he will undoubtedly go into our record books as one of our greatest swimmers all-time. He has a bright Olympic future in open water, and I support his decision to go pro wholeheartedly. We wish Michael the very best!â€
While training in California, Brinegar plans to complete his Indiana University degree via the Pro Athlete program, through which the Indiana University department of intercollegiate athletics will cover tuition as he pursues his education online.
Brinegar made his Olympic debut last summer in Tokyo, where he finished 17th in both the 800m Freestyle (7:53.00) and 1500m Freestyle (15:04.67). He placed second in each event at U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Internationally, Brinegar also swims for the U.S. Open Water National Team and was the anchor leg of a bronze-medal finish at the 2019 FINA Open Water World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.
Prior to Indiana, Brinegar won medals in three straight FINA Junior Open Water World Championships from 2016-18, culminating in a gold medal in the 10k in 2018.
Brinegar’s mother, Jennifer (Hooker) Brinegar also swam at Indiana and won gold in the 4x100m relay at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. She now works on staff at Indiana University.
