Swimmer Regina Medina to Join Penn State in 2027

The Mexican international standout will bring distance expertise to the Nittany Lions' swimming program.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Swimming

Swimmer Regina Medina to Join Penn State in 2027

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Regina Medina has verbally committed to swim for Pennsylvania State University, with her collegiate career scheduled to begin in the fall of 2027. Medina, who represents the Mexican Swimming Federation, is expected to be a significant contributor to the team in distance events.

Why it matters

Her addition aims to bolster the depth of the Penn State swimming squad following their 13th-place finish at the 2026 Big Ten Conference Championships. She brings high-level international experience to the program, having competed at both the World Junior and Junior Pan Pacific Championships.

Medina holds a personal best time of 16:39.23 in the 1650-yard freestyle and earned a 9th-place finish in the 1500-meter free at the 2026 Junior Pan Pacific Championships.

The players

Regina Medina

She is an international swimmer who represents the Mexican Swimming Federation and is a top-level Junior Pan Pacific Championships finalist.

Pennsylvania State University

It is a major public research university in Pennsylvania that operates a competitive collegiate swimming program participating in the Big Ten Conference.

The details

Currently training with the Olympus Swim Team in Tijuana, Medina is a veteran of major international junior meets. She confirmed her intent to join the Nittany Lions after considering her options for continuing her academic and athletic career.

November 2025: Medina competed at the RMDA Legends of Coaching.
February 2026: Medina competed at the CAST Presidents' Senior Day.
August 2026: Medina competed at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships.
Fall 2027: Medina begins competing for Penn State.

Season Trajectory

This commitment signals a long-term strategic effort to rebuild the Nittany Lions' distance group after their 13th-place finish at the 2026 Big Ten Conference Championships. Securing a qualifier of this caliber positions Penn State to improve its conference standings in future seasons.

Medina's 16:39.23 personal best in the 1650-yard freestyle suggests she will immediately compete for points in the distance events at the Big Ten level. Her addition provides the coaching staff with a high-floor talent who has already gained experience in major international finals.

The takeaway

Regina Medina brings significant international experience to the Pennsylvania swimming landscape starting in 2027. Her commitment highlights how high-level training in Mexico can translate to future success in American collegiate distance swimming.