The breaststroke specialist will arrive in Gainesville for the Fall 2026 semester.
Women’s Swim & Dive Adds Francesca Zucca to 2026-27 Roster
Thursday, February 5, 2026 | Women's Swimming & Diving
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The nationally ranked Florida women's swim & dive program has signed Francesca Zucca from Cagliari, Italy, for the Gators' 2026–27 season.
The breaststroke specialist will arrive in Gainesville for the Fall 2026 semester. She has represented Italy at the national level, most recently finishing fifth in the 100m breaststroke and sixth in the 200m breaststroke at the 2025 FISU World University Games.
"We are thrilled to add Francesca to the gator family," Associate Head Coach Kristin Walker.. "In getting to know her, it felt like she was already part of our team. She will add even more depth to our breaststroke group!"
Zucca is the sixth addition for the Gators' 2026-27 season as the women signed two freshmen in November, Maelin Bessard last month and Bomin Kim and Carla Serra this past week.
Why Francesca Zucca chose the University of Florida:
"I chose Florida because I think it's a great team with sport ideals that match with my characteristics, a very good place to live and have academic and athletic experience far away from home. Furthermore, the staff who helped me enroll was very kind and available for every occasion."
Francesca Zucca
Fans can stay up to date with the Florida Gator swimming & diving teams by following @GatorsSwimDv on X and catch up with the latest news and content of the team. Like the team's Facebook page at Florida Gators Swimming & Diving Fans can also keep up with the team by following them on Instagram at @Gatorsswimdv.
The breaststroke specialist will arrive in Gainesville for the Fall 2026 semester. She has represented Italy at the national level, most recently finishing fifth in the 100m breaststroke and sixth in the 200m breaststroke at the 2025 FISU World University Games.
"We are thrilled to add Francesca to the gator family," Associate Head Coach Kristin Walker.. "In getting to know her, it felt like she was already part of our team. She will add even more depth to our breaststroke group!"
Zucca is the sixth addition for the Gators' 2026-27 season as the women signed two freshmen in November, Maelin Bessard last month and Bomin Kim and Carla Serra this past week.
Why Francesca Zucca chose the University of Florida:
"I chose Florida because I think it's a great team with sport ideals that match with my characteristics, a very good place to live and have academic and athletic experience far away from home. Furthermore, the staff who helped me enroll was very kind and available for every occasion."
Francesca Zucca
- Hometown: Cagliari, Italy
- Specialty: Breaststroke
- Club: Esperia asd - Cagliari
- Instagram: @franci_.zucca
- 2 bronze medals at the World Junior Swimming Championships in 2023 in Netanya, in the Mixed 4x100m medley relay, and in the 4x100m medley relay women;
- 1 bronze medal at the World University FISU Games in 2025 in Berlin, in the 4x100 medley relay women
- 2 silver medals at the Italian Swimming Championships, one in the 200m breaststroke in December 2023, and one in the 100m breaststroke in December 2025.
Fans can stay up to date with the Florida Gator swimming & diving teams by following @GatorsSwimDv on X and catch up with the latest news and content of the team. Like the team's Facebook page at Florida Gators Swimming & Diving Fans can also keep up with the team by following them on Instagram at @Gatorsswimdv.
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