By Terin Frodyma on SwimSwam
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Team Pittsburgh Elite Aquatics’ Nazar Zoukovski has verbally committed to the University of Arizona, joining the Wildcat men’s 2026 recruiting class.
I am extremely humbled and thrilled to announce my commitment to the University of Arizona to pursue my academic and athletic journey. I am very thankful for my family, friends, and coaches that I have had along the way to guide me to where I am today. Thank you to the coaching staff at U of A for this amazing opportunity. BEAR DOWN!!
As a junior at Upper Saint Clair High School in Pittsburgh, Zoukovski finished in the top five in both of his individual races at the PIAA 3A State Championship in March; his top finish came in the 200 freestyle, where he set a new lifetime best of 1:39.68 on his way to 3rd place. He also added a 5th-place finish in the 100 free in 44.99; he set his best time in the prelims of that race, just two hundredths better in 44.97. He has since bested the 100 free mark at the LESD Mark J. Braun Fall Classic this past November in 44.62. His 200 free has also been faster since those championships, clocking 1:39.40 at the PEAQ Halloween Invitational in October.
Zoukovski recently wrapped up competition at the Speedo Winter Junior Championships – East. There, he finished 28th in the 100 free, (44.93), 34th in the 50 free (20.50), 59th in the 200 free (1:39.80), and 73rd in the 100 butterfly (49.88).
In March, Zoukovski raced at the ISCA International Senior Cup, where he logged a pair of best times that still stand today. Including the 500 free (4:35.08) and 200 IM (1:53.15).
Best Times SCY:
- 50 Free: 20.28
- 100 Free: 44.62
- 200 Free: 1:39.40
- 500 Free: 4:35.08
- 100 Fly: 48.80
- 100 Back: 52.03
- 200 IM: 1:53.15
The Arizona men finished runners-up to in-state rivals Arizona State last season at the Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships.
Based on Zoukovski’s best times, he would have finished 30th in the 100 free, 41st in the 200 free, and 36th in the 500 free at those championships last season.
Zoukovski does sit just outside of scoring position in the 100 free, his best time is less than half a second outside of what qualified as an alternate (44.19), and just over half a second from ‘C’ final qualification (44.06).
The change could be made to swap the 200 for the 100 fly, which would have placed his best time 28th, even closer to that scoring position. His 100 free is strong, and he has a number of strong options. With his range, he should be able to find the perfect mix to score some potential Big 12 points.
Zoukovski joins Grant Pier, Cole Faut, Vito Sgroi, Lucas Morin, and Will Harrison in the Wildcats’ 2026 recruiting class.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.
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Read the full story on SwimSwam: Arizona Adds Pennsylvania 3A State Finalist Nazar Zoukovski for 2026
