LARAMIE – Alex Metzler took the swim lane less traveled to Wyoming.
 
The Regensburger, Germany, import began his collegiate career at Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay, Ore.
 
Following a spectacular freshman season, Metzler transferred to Big Ten powerhouse Ohio State where he competed for the previous three years.

It wasn't until last October that Metzler was made aware that he had a fifth year of eligibility available due to the Pavia v. NCAA case.
 
The Buckeyes did not have a roster spot reserved for Metzler. UW assistant Jonathan Reeder, who had attempted to recruit out of high school and junior college, reached out and the talented graduate transfer ultimately decided to finish his career with the Cowboys.
 
"I didn't know anyone on the team. The only person I knew was Jonathan," Metzler said of the fateful call from Laramie. "He was like the third time is the charm, right? I see you're in the transfer portal."
 
Metzler also had offers from North Carolina and Virginia. He chose UW to pursue a Finance MS.

The business decision has been mutually beneficial for the 6-foot-5 phenom and the Pokes.
 
UW will lean on Metzler's experience at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships this Wednesday through Saturday in Pharr, Texas.
 
"Our men's team this season has a very high talent level, somewhat like the USA Dream Team in basketball," UW head coach Dave Denniston said. "Adding Alex has been like adding Kobe (Bryant). He has such a high level of professionalism in all he does. It has given our guys a shot of confidence this week but also allows the guys to have a bit of a guide when it's needed."
 
After returning home and getting his U.S. Visa renewed on Dec. 23, Metzler flew from Germany to Columbus, Ohio, on Christmas Day, packed up his belongings, rented a car and drove 21 hours straight to Laramie.
 
The decorated long-distance swimmer was in shock after starting training again this January at 7,220 feet.
 
"I did 25 or 50 (yards) and suddenly, my arms are just tired. I'm like, I'm a distance swimmer. What the (expletive) is happening to me?" Metzler said. "The first two weeks were rough. It's not easy but I got used to it and I have high hopes when we go to Texas the extra oxygen is going to benefit me."
 
At the DU First Chance earlier this month, Metzler, swam three top 10 program times. In the 200-yard freestyle his time of 1:34.62 ranks No. 4 in school history; he added the No. 8 time in the 200 butterfly (1:45.77) and the No. 4 time in the 200 individual medley (1:46.10).
 
The MPSF male athlete of the week wasn't even feeling well while breaking three pool records.
 
"The tricky thing is I was sick before the (DU) meet," Metzler said. "I was really happy about the times I was able to put together because they were some of my best times. The 200 freestyle was my best time. I'm happy I'm now healthy again.
 
"Three races, three pool records. Now the pressure is on to be faster at conference. That's pressure."
 
Metzler has handled the spotlight on big stages before.
 
As a freshman in 2022, Metzler was the NJCAA national men's swimmer of the year after tying for first overall at the national championship meet with 80 points. He was the national champion in the 400 individual medley, 500 freestyle, 1,000 freestyle and 1,650 free style.
 
Metzler set NJCAA records in the 500 freestyle (4:20.72) and 1,650 freestyle (15:06.09).
 
At the 2024 NCAA Championships, Metzler was on the Ohio State 800 freestyle relay team that earned second team All-American honors. Individually, he placed 17^th in the 1,650 free with a personal best time of 14:47.75.
 
In 2025, the Buckeyes did not take him to the NCAA Championships. Metzler responded to that disappointment by winning the 400 IM (3:45.44) and 200 IM (1:45.89) and finishing second in the 200 butterfly (1:44.41) at the CSCAA National Invitational Championship.

Now it's time to make more history wearing brown and gold.
 
"He will without question break records and be very successful this week, but the best part part about him is that he's bringing several guys along with him for overall team success," Denniston said of Metzler's impact on the Pokes. "The excitement going into this week is at an all-time high. We are ready and so is Alex."
 
Metzler said he would like to qualify for this year's NCAA Championships "the old-fashioned way" with one of the best times in the country, but he would also accept punching his ticket by winning MPSF titles.
 
"I'm buying fully into this," Metzler said of capping his collegiate career with his UW coaches and teammates. "I trust them and I'm here to have a good time with them. So far it has been working awesome. … It is very different, yes, but the basis is the same. You are surrounded by a swim team. They're all different people but they're all awesome. I like them a lot.
 
"Considering I only joined them six, seven weeks ago we are all connected, similar mindsets. We're the underdog but we're not far off."
 
Follow Ryan for more stories on Wyoming athletics on X at @By_RyanThorburn on Facebook at Wyoming Athletics and Instagram at wyoathletics. Also follow him at Pokes Insider at Gowyo.com/pokesinsider.
 
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