Israeli International Star Anastasia Gorbenko Provides Immediate Spark to Louisville
The debut of Anastasia Gorbenko as a Louisville Cardinal was brief over the weekend, but the Israeli Olympian made the most of her first race at the NCAA level. As Louisville defeated Missouri, Gorbenko registered a victory in her sole event, clocking 58.45 in the 100-yard breaststroke. Consider this initial foray into collegiate waters just a taste of what Gorbenko can bring to Arthur Albiero’s squad.
Gorbenko is one of several international standouts to join high-powered programs for the second semester of the 2025-2026 campaign, and she brings an impressive resume to the ACC school. In Gorbenko, a multi-event standout, Albiero will have the luxury of utilizing his new addition in a variety of slots in the lineup. Louisville is coming off a seventh-place finish at last year’s NCAA Championships and is positioned to chase a top-five showing at this year’s meet.
The 22-year-old Gorbenko is a two-time Olympian and is accompanied by extensive hardware from international competitions, including three consecutive titles in the 200 individual medley at the European Championships. At the 2024 World Championships, Gorbenko was the silver medalist in the 400 individual medley, and she also owns a pair of titles (50 breaststroke/100 IM) from the World Short Course Championships.
Gorbenko figures to provide a boost to Louisville’s relays, particularly as an option for the breaststroke leg in the medley relays.
