Harvard Lands Top Illinois Swimmer Yuri Plaksin for 2027

Plaksin, a state champion in backstroke and freestyle, commits to Crimson swim team

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:38am

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Harvard University's swimming program has secured a major recruit in Yuri Plaksin, a rising star from Vernon Hills, Illinois. The junior national qualifier will join the Crimson's Class of 2031 after verbally committing to the school, further bolstering Harvard's competitive edge in the Ivy League.

Why it matters

Plaksin's commitment represents a significant addition to Harvard's swimming program, which finished third at the 2026 Ivy League Championships. His versatility in backstroke and freestyle events will be valuable assets as the Crimson aim to maintain and improve their standing in the conference.

The details

A junior at Vernon Hills High School, Plaksin is a dominant force in the pool, having won both the 50 free and 100 free at the 2026 Illinois State Championships. He has also excelled at recent competitions like Juniors West, Minneapolis Sectionals, and the Illinois Long Course Seniors, securing multiple top-3 finishes.

  • Plaksin will join Harvard's Class of 2031 beginning in the 2027-28 academic year.
  • He won the 50 free and 100 free at the 2026 Illinois State Championships.

The players

Yuri Plaksin

A junior at Vernon Hills High School in Illinois, Plaksin is a rising star in backstroke and sprint freestyle events.

Harvard University

An Ivy League institution with a competitive swimming program that finished third at the 2026 Ivy League Championships.

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What’s next

Plaksin will continue to train with RISE Aquatic Club as he prepares to join the Harvard swim team in 2027.

The takeaway

Harvard's recruitment of Yuri Plaksin, a standout swimmer from Illinois, demonstrates the program's ability to attract top talent and maintain its competitive edge in the Ivy League.