Stanford Men's Swimming Aims for Top 10 Spot in 2027

The Stanford men's swimming and diving team finished 10th at the 2026 NCAA Championships. SwimSwam's preview for the 2027 season grades the Cardinal's event groups as the team looks to maintain its top-10 position despite significant roster turnover.

Key departures include Josh Zuchowski (13 NCAA points), Liam Custer (12 points), and relay contributors Rafael Gu, Zhier Fan, and Andres Dupont Cabrera. The incoming freshman class features Maxwell Stanislaus (Texas, free/fly), Nathan Foucu (California, sprint free), Davi Carvalho (Brazil, back/IM), Tyler Phillips (Virginia, fly/free), and Norwegian freestyler Sander Sorensen.

2025-26 Season Recap

Stanford's 2025-26 campaign was highlighted by a runner-up finish in the 800-yard freestyle relay at the national championships. Henry McFadden led individual scoring with 16 points, followed by divers Gunnar Grubbs and Misha Andriyuk with 14 points each. The team placed second at the ACC Championships, finishing 78 points behind California. Stanford's divers contributed 130 points at that meet, the second-highest total behind Miami.

Sprint and Distance Freestyle Outlook

Stanford's sprint freestyle group earns a three-and-a-half star rating. The team returns its only sub-19-second 50 freestyler, senior Ethan Harrington, who clocked 18.83 last season. Henry McFadden returns as a national title threat in the 200-yard freestyle after placing third at NCAAs in 1:30.13. "If he can get a bit under the 1:30 mark, he should be in a solid position to secure that national title," the preview states. Incoming freshman Nathan Foucu (19.87 lifetime best) could factor into relays immediately.

The distance free group receives three stars. It will be led by sophomore Ethan Ekk, who placed 11th in the 500-yard freestyle at NCAAs as a freshman. Ekk's season best of 4:11.07 from the ACC Championships suggests potential for a championship final appearance in 2027. The loss of Liam Custer, who was seventh in the 1650 free, is significant, though Ekk's best time in that event would have placed 11th nationally last season.

Backstroke and Remaining Disciplines

Stanford's backstroke corps is graded with two stars. Junior Finn Harland, the team's lone sub-46-second performer last season, returns. The preview notes that to score at NCAAs, Harland "will likely need to be somewhere in the 44-high range." Ethan Ekk also provides depth in the 200 back after a 12th-place NCAA finish.

The source did not provide detailed star ratings or analysis for the breaststroke, butterfly, individual medley, or diving disciplines for the 2027 preview. The assessment is based on projected returning points and incoming talent, with the publication reserving the right to update grades based on final roster information.

The grading scale used is designed to differentiate among top-12 programs.

With a mix of established stars like McFadden and promising newcomers like Stanislaus and Sorensen, Stanford aims to handle its roster changes and remain a consistent force in collegiate swimming.