Nannucci Commits to Virginia Swimming

The Italian freestyler will swim and study at the University of Virginia after decommitting from Virginia Tech.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Swimming

Bianca Nannucci, an 18-year-old mid-distance freestyle specialist from Prato, Italy, has verbally committed to swim and study at the University of Virginia. She had originally pledged to Virginia Tech for fall 2026 before decommitting in June and opting to remain at CN Antibes for a second year.

Why it matters

The commitment adds an internationally competitive freestyler to the Cavaliers' roster, joining Italians Sara Curtis and Davide Passafaro in Charlottesville. Her recent times suggest she could contribute to the team's distance free events at the NCAA level.

Nannucci set LCM lifetime bests of 1:57.82 in the 200 free, 4:08.24 in the 400 free and 8:40.31 in the 800 free at Italian Nationals in April. Her converted short-course times would have reached the B finals of the 200 and 500 free at the 2026 NCAA Championships, though her future event lineup at Virginia has not been specified.

The players

University of Virginia

The University of Virginia is a public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia, whose Cavaliers compete in NCAA Division I and whose swimming program has a long history of competing at the national level.

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university in Blacksburg, Virginia, that competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference and was the school Nannucci originally pledged to before decommitting.

CN Antibes

CN Antibes is a competitive swimming club in Antibes, France, where Nannucci trains and has chosen to remain for a second year before college.

The details

Nannucci moved to Antibes in fall 2025 to train with coach Fred Vergnoux. She placed 3rd in the 200 free at the 2026 European Aquatics Junior Championships and 11th in semifinals of the 200 free at the 2026 European Aquatics Championships in Paris.

April 2026: Nannucci set lifetime bests at Italian Nationals.
June 2026: Nannucci decommitted from Virginia Tech.
July 2026: Nannucci competed at the European Junior Championships.
November 13, 2026: Nannucci announced her verbal commitment to Virginia.
Fall 2027: Nannucci is scheduled to join the UVA Cavaliers.

Season Trajectory

Nannucci's move fits a broader pattern of European freestyle talent choosing NCAA programs as a route to elite competition, as seen in the Cavaliers' existing Italian contingent. Her commitment strengthens Virginia's mid-distance freestyle depth ahead of the fall 2027 season.

For Virginia fans tracking the roster, Nannucci's arrival in fall 2027 adds a mid-distance freestyler with recent international championship experience. Her commitment means the Cavaliers' freestyle depth for the next recruiting cycle is already taking shape.

The takeaway

Recruits who train abroad before college can enter NCAA programs with verified international times, giving coaches concrete data to plan event lineups. Readers following the Virginia program can track how these commitments shape the roster over the next two seasons.