Zach Apple


Zach Apple is an American professional swimmer who specializes in the sprint freestyle events. He currently represents DC Trident at the International Swimming League.
He participated in the 2019 World Aquatics Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea, winning three medals - two gold and one bronze. He won gold as part of the USA team in the men's 4 × 100 meter freestyle relay. He was also part of the team in the mixed 4x100-meter freestyle relay, won in a world record time of 3 minutes, 19.40 seconds.

Early life

Zach Apple was born April 23, 1997 in Trenton, Ohio, as the son of Doug and Allison Apple. Apple attended Edgewood High School and swam for GMVY Wahoos club team. In 2015, he was the YMCA Long Course National Champion in the 50m freestyle and runner-up for 200m freestyle. Apple swam collegiately at Auburn University from 2015 to 2018 and then transferred to Indiana University to finish his college career from 2018 to 2019.

College career

As a freshman for the Auburn Tigers, Apple finished 19th in the 50-yard freestyle, 35th in the 100-yard and 20th in the 200-yard freestyle at the 2016 Men's NCAA Division I Championships. He also earned All-American honors as a member of the 200-yard freestyle relay that finished sixth.
In his sophomore year, Apple tied for fourth place in the 50-yard freestyle at the 2017 Men's NCAA Division I Championships. He also finished 12th and 14th in the 200 and 100-yard freestyle, and was a member of the 200-yard freestyle relay that finished sixth, 400-yard freestyle relay that finished 11th and 800-yard freestyle relay that finished 12th.
As a junior, Apple tied for 5th place in the 50-yard freestyle and was part of Auburn’s 11th place in the 200-yard freestyle relay at the 2018 Men's NCAA Division I Championships. He also earned a third place in the 200-yard freestyle and finished tenth in the 100-yard freestyle.
In his final college season now as a Hoosier, Apple finished fifth in the 50-yard freestyle, second in the 200 and third in the 100-yard freestyle. He also contributed to the team's second NCAA title in the 400-yard medley relay, 200 and 400-yard freestyle relays, which placed fourth.

International career

2017 World Championships

At the World Championships Trials in Indianapolis, Apple finished first in the prelims of the 100-yard freestyle and ended up fourth in the finals, which qualified him for the 400-meter freestyle relay. He swam in the prelims at the meet and won a gold medal after team USA finished first in the finals.

2018 Pan Pacific Championships

Apple finished fourth in the 100 and fifth in the 50-meter freestyle at the 2018 National Swimming Championships, he qualified for the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships.

2019 World University Games

Zach apple took home five gold medals: in the 100 and 200-meter freestyle as well as in the 4x100 and 4x200-meter freestyle, and 4x100 medley relay. He also finished sixth in the 50-meter freestyle.

2019 World Championships

Apple contributed to the 4x100-meter freestyle relay during finals, which won gold.

International Swimming League

Apple was a member of the inaugural International Swimming League representing DC Trident. He competed at the first two matches held in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Naples, Italy, respectively, as well as in the American Derby held in College Park, Maryland.