News Summary
Esteban Nunez Del Prado Pizarro has announced his transfer from Grand Valley State University to the University of Kentucky swimming team. After a remarkable freshman year, highlighted by multiple conference titles in the 200 IM and 100 Butterfly, he aims to elevate his competitive swimming career. Nunez Del Prado’s impressive performances at the NCAA Championships and international representation for Bolivia showcase his elite status as a swimmer. His transfer adds depth to Kentucky’s program and comes with high expectations for future seasons.
Lexington, Kentucky – Esteban Nunez Del Prado Pizarro has announced that he will transfer from Grand Valley State University (GVSU) to the University of Kentucky for the 2025-2026 swimming season. This move comes as Nunez Del Prado aims to continue his competitive swimming career at a higher level after a successful freshman year at GVSU.
During his time at GVSU, Nunez Del Prado made a significant impact on the swimming team, securing multiple conference titles. He excelled in various events, most notably winning the 200 Individual Medley (IM) with a time of 1:46.20 and the 100 Butterfly with a time of 46.78 at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships. In addition, Nunez Del Prado finished fourth in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 1:58.20 and fifth in the 100 breast at 53.84 during the same championships.
His performance at the 2025 Division II NCAA Championships further showcased his talent, where he earned 12 individual points. Nunez Del Prado finished 12th in the 100 fly with a time of 47.11 and 15th in the 200 IM at 1:47.54. Notably, he achieved a lifetime best in the 200 breaststroke, recording a time of 1:57.21, which ranked him 12th overall. His accomplishments also included contributing to GVSU’s NCAA title win in the 200 free relay with a split of 19.77 seconds, helping the team achieve a relay time of 1:18.10.
The University of Kentucky swimming team, led by Ryan Merani, finished ninth out of twelve teams at the 2025 SEC Championships. Merani scored 58 individual points for the team, showcasing his competitive edge. Based on his performance times, Nunez Del Prado would have ranked as the number one 100 flyer on Kentucky’s team last season. Though Merani was noted as the fastest 100 flyer for Kentucky with a time of 47.12, he did not compete in the event at the SEC Championships.
In addition to his prowess in butterfly events, Nunez Del Prado’s breaststroke times would have positioned him as the third-ranked swimmer on the Kentucky team for both the 100 and 200 breaststrokes. This competitive edge makes his transfer particularly valuable as he steps into the program, adding depth to the team’s swimming lineup.
Nunez Del Prado’s journey includes representing Bolivia at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he finished 23rd in the 200 IM with a time of 2:08.10. His participation in the Olympics signals his elite status as a swimmer and his potential for further accomplishments in the competitive swimming arena.
As he prepares to join the University of Kentucky swimming program, Nunez Del Prado aims to contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming seasons, building upon his previous achievements at GVSU. The Kentucky swimming community eagerly anticipates the impact he will have in the pool, particularly given his impressive times in various events.
This transfer marks a significant step in Nunez Del Prado’s swimming career, providing him with new opportunities and challenges in one of the nation’s prominent swimming programs. As he integrates with his new teammates and coaches, his previous experiences and accolades will serve as a solid foundation for future performance.
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- SwimSwam: Esteban Nunez Del Prado Pizarro Transferring to Kentucky
- Google Search: Esteban Nunez Del Prado Pizarro Kentucky
- SwimSwam: Samantha Hamilton Transferring from Kentucky to Auburn
- Wikipedia: 2024 Summer Olympics
- KY Kernel: Kentucky Men’s Basketball Lands Transfer Reece Potter
- Google News: Kentucky Mens Basketball Transfers
- Knox News: DJ Hunter Kentucky Football Recruiting
- Google Scholar: Kentucky Football Transfers
- Fighting Irish: Seven Transfers Join Notre Dame
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NCAA Transfers
