World Junior Champion Stephan Steverink to Join Kentucky Wildcats in 2027
NEW COMMIT: The University of Kentucky has picked up a big verbal commitment for the 2027-28 season and beyond from Stephan Steverink of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Steverink is a world-class freestyler and IMer who has seen success on the international stage.
So far this season, Steverink ranks 12th in the world in the 400m free and 24th in the 800m free.
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am excited and happy to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and swimming career at the University of Kentucky! I want to thank God, my family, and the whole team of Kentucky Swim & Dive for the opportunity. Officially a Wildcat.”
Steverink won the 400m free and earned silver in the 400m IM at the 2022 FINA World Junior Championships where he also took fourth in the 1500m free and sixth in the 800m free.
He had great success at the 2026 Campeonato Brasileiro Absoluto de Natação in May, winning the 200m free, 400m free and 400m IM while also placing second in the 800m free and 1500m free. Last summer, he raced two events at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships.
He also placed 16th in the 400m IM at both the 2022 and 2023 FINA World Championships. He took fifth in the 400m free, sixth in the 400m IM and 13th in the 1500m free at the 2023 Pan American Games.
In LCM, his best times include:
- 200m free – 1:46.32
- 400m free – 3:45.26
- 800m free – 7:51.55
- 1500m free – 15:14.56
- 200m IM – 2:00.11
- 400m IM – 4:14.97
- 200m fly – 2:01.31
In SCY, those times convert to:
- 200 free – 1:32.47
- 500 free – 4:12.18
- 1000 free – 8:48.21
- 1650 free – 14:56.13
- 200 IM – 1:45.07
- 400 IM – 3:43.31
- 200 fly – 1:46.43
Steverink trains year-round with Clube de Regatas do Flamengo in Brazil.
He is a huge pickup for the Wildcats. Steverink’s best times (converted to yards) in the 500 free would’ve scored in the A-final and he would’ve placed 13th in the 1650 free at the 2026 Southeastern Conference Championships.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
