European Junior Bronze Medalist Joins Princeton Tigers

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Nemanja Maksic, a talented Serbian swimmer and European Junior Bronze Medalist, has announced his verbal commitment to join the Princeton University swim team for the 2027-28 academic year. Maksic, who holds multiple Serbian national age group records in the butterfly events, is expected to strengthen Princeton's sprint program and butterfly lineup as part of their promising recruiting class.

Why it matters

Maksic's commitment to Princeton highlights the Tigers' growing focus on international recruitment, which could signal a shift in Ivy League athletics toward more global competitiveness. This raises questions about the balance between developing domestic talent versus seeking top talent from abroad.

The details

Maksic, who trains with the club PK Novi Sad in Belgrade, Serbia, has built an impressive resume as a sprint butterfly specialist. He holds every Serbian national age group record in the 50-meter butterfly from age 10 through 18. In 2025, Maksic earned a bronze medal in the 50 fly at the European Junior Swimming Championships, breaking Serbia's 17-18 national record with a time of 23.78. He has also set new personal bests in the 100 free (51.15) and 100 fly (54.10) at major international meets.

• In the summer of 2025, Maksic earned a bronze medal in the 50 fly at the European Junior Swimming Championships.
• Maksic will begin the admission process at Princeton University for the 2027-28 academic year.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Maksic will continue his training and development with the goal of joining Princeton's swim team in the 2027-28 academic year. The university's admission office will evaluate his application and make a final decision on his admission.