The 2023-24 NCAA season will see some of the best collegiate swimmers and wrestlers take a break from their academic and athletic commitments to focus on their Olympic dreams. These athletes are eligible to take an Olympic redshirt year, which allows them to defer their NCAA eligibility for one season while training and competing for a spot on the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team.
What is an Olympic Redshirt?
An Olympic redshirt is a special type of redshirt that is granted to athletes who meet certain criteria and wish to pursue their Olympic aspirations. According to the NCAA rules, an athlete can apply for an Olympic redshirt if they:
- Have at least one season of NCAA eligibility remaining
- Participate in the final stage of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in their sport
- Receive approval from their school’s compliance office and head coach
An Olympic redshirt allows the athlete to retain their NCAA eligibility for another season, but they cannot compete in any NCAA events or receive any athletic aid from their school during the redshirt year. They can, however, train with their college team or at another approved location, and compete in non-collegiate events such as the U.S. Open, World Championships, or other international meets.
Who’s Taking an Olympic Redshirt for 2023-24?
As of now, 71 athletes from 30 different schools are qualified to take an Olympic redshirt for the 2023-24 season. However, not all of them have confirmed their plans to do so. Some may choose to compete for their college team instead, while others may decide to turn pro or retire from the sport.
Here are some of the notable names who have announced their intention to take an Olympic redshirt for 2023-24:
Swimming
- Torri Huske and Claire Curzan, Stanford: The two standout freshmen were Stanford’s top scorers at the 2023 NCAA Championships, combining for 101 individual points. They were also part of four relays that finished in the top 10. Both swimmers were 2020 Tokyo Olympians, and will be aiming for their second Olympic team in 2024. Huske will have two years of NCAA eligibility left, while Curzan will have three.
- Regan Smith, Stanford: The world record holder in the 100 and 200 backstroke will join Huske and Curzan in taking an Olympic redshirt for 2023-24. Smith was also a 2020 Olympian, winning two gold medals and a bronze in Tokyo. She will have three years of NCAA eligibility left after her redshirt year.
- Bobby Finke, Florida: The distance phenom who won two gold medals in Tokyo with stunning last-lap surges will also sit out the 2023-24 NCAA season. Finke was the NCAA champion in the 1650 free in 2021 and 2022, and also won the 500 free in 2022. He will have one year of NCAA eligibility left after his redshirt year.
- Ryan Hoffer, Cal: The sprint star who won six individual NCAA titles and 13 relay titles in his four-year career at Cal will take an Olympic redshirt for 2023-24. Hoffer was a 2020 Olympian, winning a silver medal as part of the 400 free relay. He will have one year of NCAA eligibility left after his redshirt year.
Wrestling
- Spencer Lee, Iowa: The three-time NCAA champion and Hodge Trophy winner will take an Olympic redshirt for 2023-24. Lee was a 2020 Olympian, finishing fifth in the 57 kg weight class in Tokyo. He will have one year of NCAA eligibility left after his redshirt year.
- Gable Steveson, Minnesota: The two-time NCAA champion and Olympic gold medalist will also take an Olympic redshirt for 2023-24. Steveson stunned the world with his last-second comeback victory in the 125 kg final in Tokyo. He will have one year of NCAA eligibility left after his redshirt year.
- Yianni Diakomihalis, Cornell: The two-time NCAA champion and four-time All-American will take an Olympic redshirt for 2023-24. Diakomihalis was a 2020 Olympian, finishing ninth in the 65 kg weight class in Tokyo. He will have one year of NCAA eligibility left after his redshirt year.
- David Carr, Iowa State: The 2021 NCAA champion and 2020 Olympian will take an Olympic redshirt for 2023-24. Carr finished fifth in the 74 kg weight class in Tokyo. He will have two years of NCAA eligibility left after his redshirt year.
How Will the Olympic Redshirts Affect the NCAA Season?
The Olympic redshirts will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the NCAA season, as some of the best athletes in the country will be absent from the collegiate scene. This will create opportunities for other swimmers and wrestlers to step up and fill the void, and also affect the team standings and rankings.
For example, Stanford’s women’s swimming team, which finished third at the 2023 NCAA Championships, will lose 123 out of their 183 individual points from Huske, Curzan, and Smith. They will also lose three key members of their relays, which finished second in the 200, 400, and 800 free relays, and fourth in the 400 medley relay. This will make it harder for the Cardinal to challenge the likes of Virginia, NC State, and Cal for the team title.
On the other hand, Florida’s men’s swimming team, which won the 2023 NCAA Championships, will only lose 37 out of their 414 individual points from Finke. They will also retain most of their relay members, which finished first in the 800 free relay, second in the 400 free relay, and third in the 200 and 400 medley relays. This will make them the favorites to repeat as champions, especially with the addition of transfer Shaine Casas from Texas A&M.
Similarly, Iowa’s wrestling team, which won the 2021 and 2022 NCAA Championships, will lose 25 out of their 129 team points from Lee. They will also lose their leader and best wrestler, who was undefeated in his last two seasons. However, they will still have a strong lineup, with six returning All-Americans and two transfers, Austin DeSanto from Drexel and Max Murin from Penn State.
Meanwhile, Minnesota’s wrestling team, which finished seventh at the 2022 NCAA Championships, will lose 20 out of their 64 team points from Steveson. They will also lose their superstar and most dominant wrestler, who won his last 34 matches by either pin, technical fall, or major decision. This will make it difficult for the Gophers to contend for a top-five finish, especially with the rise of teams like Michigan, Arizona State, and NC State.
Who’s Next?
The list of Olympic redshirts is not final, as more athletes may qualify or announce their plans in the coming months. The two remaining qualifiers for Olympic redshirts are the 2023 U.S. Open Swimming Championships in December and the 2023 U.S. Senior Nationals Wrestling Championships in April. Athletes who finish in the top two of their event or weight class at these meets will be eligible to take an Olympic redshirt for 2023-24.
The 2023-24 NCAA season will be an exciting one, as some of the best collegiate athletes will chase their Olympic dreams while others will try to make their mark on the NCAA scene. Stay tuned for more updates and news on the Olympic redshirts and the NCAA season.
