By Eli Noblitt on SwimSwam

Local talent Tan Dunn, out of Peachtree City, Georgia, has given his verbal commitment to swim for the University of Georgia Bulldogs as part of the Class of 2022. Dunn attends McIntosh High School, and competes at the club level for Southern Crescent Aquatic Team. He is the second in-state pick-up for the UGA men’s team, joining Bradley Dunham. The men’s team is playing catch-up with the women’s team, which already has 7 verbal commitments in next year’s class (6 swimmers, 1 diver). The men’s team did, however, land a monster yesterday when Pennsylvania’s Andrew Abruzzo donned the red and black for his commitment announcement.

Dunn made his own commitment announcement via his Twitter account:

I'd like to thank my friends, family, and coaches for everything. I'm happy to announce that I've verbally committed to UGA!! #GoDawgspic.twitter.com/ipJITao2Bt

— Tan Dunn (@tandunn3) October 9, 2017

Dunn could potentially contribute to a handful of different events for the Dawgs, including the the 50 free, 100 back, and 200 back. Most of his times are at least a year old, so he could be due for a drop with the benefit of collegiate training. He currently boasts an Olympic Trials cut in the 100 meter back, and a Winter Nationals cut in the 200 meter back. He also has four Junior National cuts in short course yards (50 free, 100 back, 200 back, 100 fly). His best times are:

The Georgia men’s team needs a strong incoming class since they will soon experience the downside of recruiting the swimming world’s most talented trio. While Jay, Kevin, and Mick Litherland were huge boosts to the Bulldog roster in Fall 2014, their departure after this season will conversely create big holes to fill. Gunnar Bentz, who was Georgia’s top male scorer at last year’s NCAAs, is also a senior who will have used up his eligibility by next Fall. Adding salt to the wound, all four of these swimmers, like Dunn and Dunham, are local talent, meaning Georgia only had to allocate minimum scholarship money to attract them. With the vast majority of SwimSwam’s Top 20 recruits (and 5 honorable mentions) having already made their selections, UGA may have to look abroad to reload (Canada and South Africa have historically been Dawg hotspots) or find untapped domestic potential.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an e-mail with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Georgia Men Snag Another Top In-State Prospect, OT Qualifier Tan Dunn

By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

The rosters for the 2017 Raia Rapida meet in Brazil have been finalized ahead of Sunday’s big showdown. This year’s meet features both new nations and a new format – for the first time, having co-ed teams with 2 men and 2 women from each country.

The hosts Brazil, the United States, Argentina, and Italy will participate. The event will have women swim 50 meters of backstroke and butterfly and men swim 50 meters of breaststroke and freestyle.

The Americans were the winners of the first edition of this made-for-TV-event and are the only foreign squad to participate in all 6 editions. Brazil’s neighbors from Argentina are competing in their first ever Raia Rapida and will bring their star Federico Grabich into the fray. Italy returns for their 3rd year with a roster that includes former 50 breaststroke World Champion Fabio Scozzoli.

Team Rosters:

Brazil

• Etiene Medeiros (back)
• Joao Gomes, Jr (breast)
• Daynara de Paula (fly)
• Bruno Fratus (free)

United States

• Hellen Moffitt (back)
• Chuck Katis (breast)
• Kendyl Stewart (fly)
• Anthony Ervin (free)

Italy

• Elena Gemo (back)
• Fabio Scozzoli (breast)
• Elena di Liddo (fly)
• Lorenzo Benatti (free)

Argentina

• Andrea Berrino (back)
• Facundo Miguelena (breast)
• Maria Belen Diaz de Recoleta (fly)
• Federico Grabich (free)

In spite of having a world-class anchor in Grabich, who took bronze in the 100 free at the 2015 World Championships, Argentina will be overmatched by the other three teams.

The rest of the battle becomes very interesting, with the Brazilians, specialists of 50 meter races, being the favorites. Medeiros is the defending World Champions in LCM and SCM in the 50 backstroke, and is the World Record holder in short course. Gomez took 50 breaststroke silver in Budapest this summer at Worlds, and Bruno Fratus stood in the same position in the 50 free at that meet.

The Americans are an intriguing, if less accomplished, quartet. Ervin, the anchor, is a double Olympic champion in the 50 free and a legendary swimming personality, but swam just a 22.24 in the 50 SCM free in his last outing at the FINA World Cup Series. Moffitt, meanwhile, is done with her NCAA career and is on the verge of a long course breakout after finishing 2nd in the 50 fly at the United States’ World Championship Trials. Of the 4 butterfliers, she was the only one to rank in the top 25 in the world in the event last season. She’s also the lone American who didn’t attend college in the state of California.

The surprising name for Team USA is Chuck Katis, who has been very involved in swimming in the last year in the form of his entrepreneurial swim-spirit, but hasn’t raced much. He swam at only one meet, the North Texas Pro-Am Classic, last season.

And finally the Italians, who bring a very good roster of sprinters, including Di Liddo, the World University Games silver medalist this summer in the 50 fly, the former World Champion Scozzoli, and the 50 backstroke National Record holder Gemo. The anchor Benatti, who is 31-years old and hasn’t gone a best time since 2013, will be their biggest challenge to overcome against the top-of-the-world Fratus on the anchor. Hadd the Italians managed to round up one of their in-form sprinters, like Luca Dotto or the 18-year old Giovanni Izzo, they might hold that title of favorites – as they’ve brought their best or second-best possible options for each of the other 3 legs.

Racing will start on Sunday at 10AM from Rio, which is 8AM U.S. Eastern Time.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Rosters for 2017 Raia Rapida Finalized; Team USA Has West Coast Vibe

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Virginia Beach, Virginia’s Callie Dickinson has announced via social media that she will be joining the Bulldogs at the University of Georgia next fall. Dickinson will enter the UGA class of 2022 with fellow verbal commits Addison Kelly, Caroline Aikins, Dakota Luther, Eva Merrell , Madison Homovich, Olivia Carter, and Tatum Smith.

“So excited announce my verbal commitment and further my academic and swimming career at the University of Georgia!! Can’t wait for the years to come! Go dawgs ❤️

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

USA Swimming Scholastic All-American Robby Moseley of Bakersfield, California, has announced his verbal commitment to California Baptist University for 2018-19. Moseley’s sister Stanzi Moseley transferred to Tennessee this fall, after having spent her first year of college at USC.

“I am proud to announce that I have verbally committed to swim for California Baptist University starting in the Fall of 2018.  I am very excited to be a part of a growing swim program that has recently gained D-I status, and I hope that I can contribute to that growth as a Lancer.  CBU’s sense of community and support for their student athletes is outstanding, and I’m confident that their engineering program will challenge me and give me many opportunities to grow as a student.”

Moseley swims for Bakersfield Swim Club, where he specializes in backstroke and IM. He won the 200 back and was 7th in the 100 back at Santa Clara Futures this summer. At NCSA Spring Championship he competed in the 100 free, 50/100/200 back, and 200 IM, going best times in the 50 back and 100 breast, which he time-trialed. He improved his times across the board during his junior year of high school, and heads to CBU with Winter Juniors cuts or better in the 100/200 back and 200 IM.

Cal Baptist is in its last year of transition from Division II to Division I and is hoping to leave the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference on a high note, with both the men’s and women’s teams winning team titles at their last RMAC championships. The Lancers will tranisition to Division I and the Western Athletic Conference in 2018-19.

Short Course Times:

• 100 back – 50.54
• 200 back – 1:48.70
• 200 IM – 1:50.19

Long Course Times:

• 100 back – 58.88
• 200 back – 2:06.75
• 200 IM – 2:07.35

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Bakersfield’s Robby Moseley Sends Verbal Commitment to Cal Baptist

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Mitchell Gariepy from Wellesley, Massachusetts has made a verbal commitment to swim for the University South Carolina beginning in the 2018-19 season. Gariepy will join the Gamecocks with fellow class of 2022 verbal commits Coleman Kramer, Garrison Johnson, Grayson Schroering, Nathan Walton, and Phil Costin.

“I’m excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of South Carolina. As soon as I landed in Columbia, SC I felt at home. The guys on the team are fast, friendly and a lot of fun. I was very impressed with the entire coaching staff and feel it’s a place I can continue to improve while getting a great education. The University of South Carolina gives me the opportunity to be successful both academically and in the pool. Go Gamecocks!”

Gariepy is a senior at Wellesley High School and swims for Crimson Aquatics Wellesley. While he’s been considered a strong breaststroker/IMer in the past, Gariepy has made giant strides in butterfly and freestyle this year.

Gariepy competed at Summer Junior Nationals in the 100/200 breast but his best times in those events, and in the 50 breast, came from the Coupe de Québec Eté that he swam in July. Representing Shawmut Aquatic Club, he won the 50m breast in 29.57, was 3rd in the 100 with 1:04.41, and touched 4th in the 200 with 2:22.15. Last year at the same meet he swam 30.17, 1:06.19, and 2:28.98 in those respective events.

In short course season he had huge drops across the board, as well; most of them came at the Dolfin ISCA Junior Championship Cup this past spring. His best times, along with his junior year progression, are as follows:

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Mitchell Gariepy Makes Verbal Commitment to South Carolina

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Ann Carozza, a senior at West Chester East High School in West Chester, Pennsylvania, has verbally committed to swim for West Chester University in the fall. Carozza is no stranger to the Graham Natatorium on the West Chester campus; she swims year-round with Golden Ram Aquatics which uses the pool.

“I am very excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim at West Chester University the next four years! Thank you to all my coaches, teammates, friends and family for all the support! Can’t wait to be a golden ram!”

Carozza is a NISCA All-American and the runner-up in the 100 fly at 2017 PIAA Girls’ AAA Swimming and Diving Championships, with a personal-best 54.46. She also scored fourth in the 100 free, also with a lifetime best (50.53). Carozza anchored the 11th-place West Chester East 400 free relay in 50.32, contributing to their 14th-place team finish in the girls’ meet.

In club swimming, Carozza capped off a successful high school and overall short-course season with a strong showing at Chambersburg Sectionals. There she placed fourth in both the 100 fly and 200 fly, dropping 2.3 seconds in the latter and qualifying for Winter Juniors.

Carozza will be a strong addition to the Golden Rams’ lineup. Her 50 free, 100 free and 100 fly times would have won 2017 PSAC titles (the 50 free with a pool record and the 100 fly with a conference meet record). Current sophomore Meghan Keithly won all three of those events last year; she also won the 200 fly, in which Carozza would have been runner-up. Carozza also would have scored in the A final of the 200 free, so she will have plenty of choices when she suits up for the Golden Rams.

Top SCY times:

• 100 fly – 54.46
• 200 fly – 2:03.20
• 200 free – 1:52.26
• 100 free – 50.53
• 50 free – 23.29

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Ann Carozza Verbally Commits to WCU Golden Rams

By Suzie Fox on SwimSwam

The International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) has announced their 2018 inductee award recipients. Founded in 1971, the IMSHOF is an affiliate organization to the International Swimming Hall of Fame, which also awards achievement and contributions to the performance of marathon swimming. The IMSHOF has named more than 250 honorees for their achievements and contributions in competitive races and solo swims. This year’s list includes Trent Grimsey, world record holder for the English Channel swim (6 hours, 55 minutes, on September 8, 2012), and Poliana Okimoto, 2013 Open Water Swimmer of the Year Sammy award winner.

The IMSHOF is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the athletes, coaches, administrators, pilots, reporters, volunteers, organizations, race directors and associations affiliated with marathon swimming. Criteria for nominees includes: competing in Straits, channels, rivers, lakes and oceans and swimmers who regularly participate in world class marathon (10K, or longer in length) races, including, but not limited to, Olympic Games, FINA World Championships, FINA Grand Prix, and 10K Marathon Swim Cup Events. Primary consideration is given to those individuals who have won or medaled in the event.

The United States has the greatest number of all-time honorees (84), followed by Great Britain (58), and Canada (19). Past US recipients include Johnny Weissmuller (1970), Diana Nyad (1978), James “Doc” Counsilman (1980), Lynne Cox (1982), and Frans Crippen (2010/2011)

This year’s class includes:

• Cindy Cleveland, USA, Honor Swimmer
• Albert Coward, Great Britain, Honor Swimmer
• Pilar Geijo, Argentina, Honor Swimmer
• Martina Grimaldi, Italy, Honor Swimmer
• Trent Grimsey, Australia, Honor Swimmer
• Zhang Jian, China, Honor Swimmer
• Linda Kaiser, USA, Honor Administrator
• Kathrin Lammers, Germany, Honor Swimmer
• Mohamed Ahmed Marouf, Egypt, Honor Swimmer
• Jaimie Monahan, Egypt, Honor Swimmer
• Rohan Dattatrey More, India, Honor Swimmer
• Polina Okimoto, Brasil, Honor Swimmer
• Anna-Carin Nordin, Sweden, Honor Swimmer
• Sarah Thomas, USA, Honor Swimmer
• Hugh Tucker, South Africa, Honor Coach
• Jacques Tuset, France, Honor Swimmer

A celebration for the 2018 honorees will take place Saturday, March 31, 2018 in London.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: IMSHOF Announces 2018 Honorees

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Kyle Barone from Cornelius, North Carolina has accorded a verbal commitment to the Georgia Institute of Technology for the 2018-19 school year.

“I chose Georgia Tech because of the amazing academics and the athletic program. I felt right at home on campus and with the team and I am very excited for my next four years at Georgia Tech. Go Jackets!”

A USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, Barone is a senior at Cannon School in Concord, North Carolina. He swims for SwimMAC Carolina and specializes primarily in butterfly and backstroke. At 2016 Winter Juniors East he competed in the 100/200 back, 100 fly, and 200 IM, reaching the C final of the 100 back and going lifetime bests in the 50/100 back. At the 2017 Dolfin ISCA Junior Championship Cup in March, he tied his best 100 back time and added new PBs in the 100 free, 50/100 fly, and 100 IM.

Barone had an impressive long-course season as well. Between Athens Sectionals and Summer Junior Nationals, he updated his LCM times in the 100/200 free, 100/200 back, 100 breast, 100 fly, and 200 IM.

Top SCY times:

• 50 back – 23.10
• 100 back – 49.41
• 200 back – 1:49.42
• 50 fly – 23.02
• 100 fly – 49.15

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: SwimMAC’s Kyle Barone Verbally Commits to Georgia Tech

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan’s Alex Margherio has announced via social media that he plans to swim for the University of Texas in 2018-19. He will join verbal commits Aitor Fungairino, Alex Zettle, Braden Vines, Charlie Scheinfeld, Daniel Krueger, Drew Kibler, Jason Park, and Matthew Willenbring.

“Excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim at the University of Texas. #Hookem”

Margherio attends Brother Rice High School in Birmingham. He led the boys’ swimming and diving team to its fourth consecutive Michigan D1 state title at the 2017 MHSAA Boys Division I Championships last March. Margherio won the 100 back (48.46), was runner-up in the 100 fly (47.51), and contributed legs to a pair of winning relays. He split a 21.30 50 fly on the 200 medley relay and anchored the 400 free relay in a blistering 44.44, taking them from fourth to first in four quick lengths of the pool.

Margherio does his club swimming with Birmingham ‘Y’ Blue Dolphins. In April, he won a national title in the 200 medley relay at 2017 YMCA Short Course Nationals. He also placed 3rd as a member of BBD’s 400 medley relay, 4th in the 100 fly, 5th in the 100 free, 5th on the 400 free relay, 8th in the 100 back, 9th on the 800 free relay, and 19th in the 50 free.

A NISCA All-American, his best SCY times are as follows:

• 50 back – 23.33
• 100 back – 45
• 50 back – 22.84
• 100 fly – 47.51
• 100 free – 44.84

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Longhorns Earn Verbal Pledge from Michigan’s Alex Margherio

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

“I am extremely excited to announce that I have verbally committed to swim for the University of Florida. I want to thank all of my friends, family, and coaches for helping me on this journey. Go Gators!”

The University of Florida men’s swimming and diving team received a verbal commitment from Clearwater, Florida’s Robert Finke, the #7 recruit on our list of top 20 boys in the high school class of 2018. Finke is the top pure distance freestyler in the class, with the fastest 1650 and 1000 times, and has some impressive times in IM as well. He will fit quite nicely into the Florida lineup, especially given that the Gators have also pulled in verbal commitments from future training partners Kieran Smith (#8) and Trey Freeman (#9), as well as sprinters Isaac Davis, Will Davis, and Kacper Stokowski for the class of 2022.

Finke is a two-time USA Scholastic All-American and NISCA All-American from Countryside High School. He swims year-round for Saint Petersburg Aquatics. He won the 200 IM (1:49.34) and 500 free (4:22.92) at the 2016 FHSAA Class 4A Championships last November. Showing his versatility, he also led off Countryside’s 200 medley relay in 23.36 and 400 free relay in 46.52, both best times.

Finke was named to the USA National Team for 2017-18 after posting the nation’s second-fastest time in the 1500 free at U.S. Nationals and World Championship Trials. He also qualified for World Championships in that event. Last summer, as a member of the National Junior Team, he won both the 800 free and 1500 free at the 2016 Junior Pan Pacific Championships.

His best SCY times are:

• 1650 free – 14:37.71
• 1000 free – 8:49.71
• 500 free – 4:20.86
• 400 IM – 3:47.65
• 200 back – 1:47.27
• 200 fly – 1:48.65

Finke’s best 1650 time would have scored 9th at 2017 NCAA Division I Men’s Championship. He has a little way to go in order to make an impact in the 500 free (it took a 4:14.09 to get a second swim in 2017). His 400 IM might even get him there first (it took 3:43.64 to make the B final in 2017). All in all, Finke is a major pick-up for the Gators, who are keeping one of their top native sons in the fold.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Florida Secures Verbal Commitment from In-state Standout Robert Finke (#7)

By Lauren Neidigh on SwimSwam

2017 SMU WOMEN’S CLASSIC

• Friday, October 13 – Saturday, October 14
• Westside Aquatic Center
• Lewisville, Texas
• Meet Info
• Live Results

The 24th annual SMU Women’s Classic kicked off tonight in Lewisville, Texas. Several nation-leading swims came on night 1 of the 2-day event. One of those top times came from Louisville’s NCAA champion Mallory Comerford. In her signature 200 free, Comerford went up against Michigan All-American Siobhan Haughey. They were narrowly separated at the 100, with Comerford flipping ahead in 50.48 to Haughey’s 50.66. She took off on the back half, extending her lead for the win in 1:41.70 to Haughey’s 1:42.44.

Comerford also had an explosive relay split on the 400 medley relay. While she typically swims the freestyle leg, she took over the fly leg this time, posting a 50.73 to give them a huge lead. She teamed up with Alina Kendzior (52.60 back), Mariia Astashkina (1:00.52 breast), and Lainey Visscher (48.80 free) for the win in 3:32.65.

The USC women had a big night, winning 4 of the 6 individual races. Their freshman contingent picked up a pair of titles, as Marta Cielsa touches 1st in the 50 free (22.63) and Maggie Aroesty took on the 400 IM (4:10.18). Junior Riley Scott was the only woman to break 1:00 in the 100 breast, finishing about half a second shy of her best time with a 59.56.

Trojan All-American Louise Hansson contributed to USC’s win total with a 51.56 in the 100 fly, finishing over a second ahead of Louisville’s Grace Oglesby (52.66). Hansson wasted no time resting between events, as she jumped right back in for the 100 back immediately afterwards. She took the early lead, flipping in 25.56, but Michigan’s Clara Smiddy was able to run her down, touching in 52.55 to give the Wolverines their first win of the night. Hansson came up just short with a 52.79 for 2nd place.

Michigan also took the win in the 800 free relay. Despite a 1:43.33 leadoff from Comerford and a 1:45.80 on the 2nd leg from Arina Openysheva for Louisville, they weren’t able to hold off the Wolverines. The team of Gabby Deloof (1:45.21 leadoff), Catie Deloof (1:45.47), Rose Bi (1:45.67), and Haughey (1:44.36) finished in 7:00.71.

TEAM SCORES THROUGH DAY 1:

1. USC- 168
2. Louisville- 163.5
3. Michigan- 161
4. UCLA- 129.5
5. Miami- 109
6. SMU- 106

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Comerford Posts 1:41.7 200 Free, 50.7 100 Fly Split at SMU Classic

By James Sutherland on SwimSwam

Notre Dame vs Texas A&M vs Michigan State

• Friday, October 13 – Saturday, October 14
• Roffs Aquatic Center
• Notre Dame, IN
• Live Results
• Day 1 Results

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish played host to Texas A&M and Michigan State on Friday, with teams being scored in the standard head-to-head dual meet format. The Aggies will complete their battle with Notre Dame tomorrow on day 2, while the Spartans were only slated to compete on day 1.

Women’s Meet

It was a dominant display by the Texas A&M women, winning eight of nine day 1 events including both relays. World Championship silver medalist Bethany Galat shone brightest for them, winning a pair of individual events in the 200 IM (1:59.00) and 200 fly (1:57.67). Her teammate Lisa Bratton was also particularly impressive, adding a runner-up finish to Galat in the 200 IM to a pair of first place finishes in the 200 back (1:55.13) and the 400 medley relay.

Joining her on that relay were Jorie Caneta and Beryl Gastaldello, who each had a win themselves in the 100 breast (1:00.81) and 100 free (48.68) respectively. Kaja Skrzek added a win for the Aggies in the 3-meter diving event, while Gastaldello also led the team to a win in the 200 free relay. Kristin Malone also had a strong day 1 showing, appearing on both the winning relays.

The lone non-Aggie win came from Notre Dame’s Molly Treble, who prevailed in the 500 free (4:49.60) over Texas A&M’s Haley Yelle (4:49.66). Other notable performances from the Fighting Irish came from Alice Treuth in the 200 back (1:55.89) and Abbie Dolan in the 100 free (49.16), both with runner-up finishes.

The top Spartan finish came from Ana Sortland, who was 5th in the 100 breast (1:03.99).

Per the Texas A&M release, the Aggies topped MSU 98-62, and currently hold a 121-46 lead over Notre Dame. The Irish defeated the Spartans 139.5-27.5 per their release.

Men’s Meet

The men’s meet had a similar story to the women’s, with Texas A&M executing well with seven of nine event wins.

Mauro Castillo Luna was their top performer, collecting a pair of individual wins in the 200 IM (1:48.99) and the 100 breast (54.96), as well as a sizzling 53.95 split on the winning 400 medley relay. Other individual wins for the Aggies came from Brock Bonetti in the 200 back (1:44.74), Adam Koster in the 100 free (44.22), Jose Martinez in the 200 fly (1:47.90) and Kurtis Mathews in the 1-meter springboard.

Notre Dame got off to a hot start, claiming two of the first three events before Texas A&M rattled off six straight.

Daniel Speers and Tabahn Afrik threw down a pair of sub-20 splits to lead the Irish to a big win in the 200 free relay, and Zach Yeadon had a decisive win in the 500 free (4:26.91). Other strong performances came from Justin Plaschka and Afrik in the 100 free (2nd and 3rd), Nick Milikich in the 200 IM (2nd), and Robby Whitacre in the 200 back (2nd).

Nick Leshok was the top finisher for MSU, placing 6th in the 100 breast.

The Aggies defeated the Spartans head-to-head by a score of 98-64, and Notre Dame topped MSU 136-30. Heading into tomorrow, Texas A&M leads Notre Dame 101.5-65.5.

Note: All scores are per team releases. Official scores cannot be confirmed as the official results and Meet Mobile have only scored relays thus far.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Galat, Castillo Luna Shine As Aggies Top MSU, Lead Notre Dame

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Emma Hazel of White Lake, Michigan has made a verbal commitment to swim for Liberty University beginning in the fall of 2018.

“I’m excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim at Liberty University!! I can’t wait to further myself both in and out of the pool!! I love the team and the campus, and I feel that Coach Jake and Coach Jessica will bring out the best in me. Thank you to my parents, my coaches, and everyone who helped me get here! Go Flames!”

Hazel, a USA Scholastic All American and NICSA All American, is a senior at Lakeland High School where she is coached by Jim Steffl. Hazel is a captain of the varsity team and holds a variety of varsity school records and pool records. Hazel led Lakeland to a top-10 Division 1 finish last season, earning All-State honors for the 100 fly and 100 back.

Hazel swims year-round with Kingfish Aquatic Club of Waterford under coach Brad Brockway. She had a breakout long-course season this past summer, earning a Summer Juniors cut in the 200 back (2:18.16) and breaking the 5 minute barrier in the 400 IM (4:59.77)

Steffl, Hazel’s high school coach, said, “I have worked with Emma for four years now, most prominently the past two as her head high school coach, and can say without any equivocation that she is going to be a force to be reckoned with in collegiate swimming for Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.  Although I will miss her, I look forward to following her career and hope to catch a meet in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.”

Hazel is a big get for the Flames. Her flexibility will allow her to fill in wherever needed, but she would have been an A finalist at the CCSA conference meet in the 500/1650 free, 100/200 back, and 400 IM, and a B finalist in the 100/200 fly and 200 IM. The Liberty women’s swimming and diving team finished second to Florida Gulf Coast, by 219.5 points, at the 2017 CCSA Championships.

Best SCY times:

• 50 back – 26.44
• 100 back – 55.21
• 200 back – 1:59.24
• 100 fly – 56.12
• 200 fly – 2:06.03
• 200 IM – 2:04.58
• 400 IM – 4:27.25
• 500 free – 4:57.71
• 1650 free – 17:08.44

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Versatile Emma Hazel Announces Verbal to Liberty University

By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam

Luke Gwin and Isaac Gwin, identical twins from Leander, Texas, have made verbal commitments to the United States Air Force Academy for 2018-19. The Gwins are both two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-Americans and swim for Nitro Swimming.

Luke Gwin

“I am deeply honored to announce my verbal commitment to the USAFA on this date. Go Falcons! #AimHigh #70years”

Luke specializes primarily in long-axis strokes, and extends to the longer end of the range. He had an excellent long-course season this summer, improving his times in the 100/400 free, 100/200 back, and 100 fly. In the spring, he went best times in the 50/100/200/500/1000 free and 200 back, with most of his improvements coming at College Station Sectionals. There, he placed 7th in the 1000 free, 15th in the mile, 17th in the 200 free, and 19th in the 200 back. At Summer Juniors he came home with PBs in the 100/400 free; he also raced the 200 free and 100/200 back.

Luke’s best times would have landed him in the top 16 of the 200/1650 free and 100 back, and in the C finals of the 200 back and 500 free, at the 2017 WAC Championships.

Top SCY times:

• 200 back – 1:50.36
• 100 back – 51.16
• 200 free – 1:39.68
• 500 free – 4:34.25
• 1000 free – 9:26.69
• 1650 free – 15:51.64

Isaac Gwin

“I have decided to continue my education and swimming pursuits at the Air Force Academy! Thank you to all of my friends, family, coaches and teammates who have helped me to this point. Go Falcons! #AimHigh #Oct14”

Isaac excels in back, free, and fly. Like his brother, he had an outstanding junior year, improving in nearly all his events. At College Station Sectionals he was an A-finalist in the 100/200 back and 200 fly, and a B-finalist in the 50 free, 100 fly, and 200 IM. He swam the 50/100 free, 100/200 back, and 100 fly at Summer Juniors, placing 6th in the 100 back and notching PBs in the 100/200 free. He also updated his LCM times in the 50 free, 50 back ,and 200 fly during the summer.

Isaac’s best 100/200 back times would have made the A finals at 2017 WAC Championship, while his 200 free and 100/200 fly would have scored in the B finals.

Top SCY times:

• 50 back – 22.75
• 100 back – 48.74
• 200 back – 1:46.55
• 50 free – 23.29
• 100 free – 50.53
• 200 free – 1:39.12
• 100 fly – 49.39
• 200 fly – 1:49.91

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Identical Twins Luke and Isaac Gwin Verbally Commit to Air Force

By Daniela Kapser on SwimSwam

Im Gespräch mit der ARD Sportschau kündigten vor einer Woche die Kanutin Silke Kassner und der Säbelfechter Maximilian Hartung an, eine eigene Organisation der deutschen Spitzenathleten zu gründen. Die Organisation soll vor allem unabhängig vom Deutschen Olympischen Sportbund (DOSB) sein. Der DOSB ist die Dachorganisation des deutschen Sports.

Beide Athleten haben in ihrer Rolle als Vorsitzender der Athletenkommission (Hartung) und als seine Vertretung (Kassner) viel Erfahrung in der Zusammenarbeit mit dem DOSB gesammelt. Hartung wird von sportschau.de zitiert: “Wir glauben, dass die Stimme der Athleten eigenständig formuliert sein sollte. Und dass wir mit einer eigenen Organisation die Möglichkeit haben, die Stimme der Athleten unabhängig zu formulieren. Wir wollen auf Augenhöhe mit den anderen Akteuren des Sports sprechen können. Das war bisher nicht der Fall.”

Am 15.10. soll es dazu eine Vollversammlung der Athletenvertreter in Köln geben, um über die Neugründung der Organisation  “Athleten Deutschland” zu entscheiden. Es wird von einer breiten Zustimmung ausgegangen. Die Sportler möchten sich in Zukunft mehr einbringen, sie seien zwar in allen Gremien vertreten, aber sie seien “tatsächlich immer in der Minderheit, so dass eigentlich nie die Interessen oder Vorschläge der Athleten wirklich auch gegenüber einer Mehrheit in den Gremien, in Sportverbänden durchgesetzt werden können” äußert sich Kassner zu der bisherigen Situation.

Nun haben DOSB-Präsident Alfons Hörmann und dem Vorstandsvorsitzenden Michael Vesper   in einem Brief hinterfragt, was wohl der eigentliche Sinn hinter dieser Initiative ist.

Zwar stellen Hörmann und Vesper in dem Schreiben fest, dass «ein solches Konstrukt durchaus noch unserer Satzung und der IOC-Charta» entsprechen würde, aber da die Organisation “Athleten Deutschland” eine eigene Vereins-Geschäftsstelle betreiben möchte mit einem kalkulierten Etat von 300.000 bis 400.000 Euro, fragen sich die beiden Spitzenvertreter des DOSB, «ob dies ggfs. andere Bereiche der Sportförderung negativ tangieren würde».

Silke Kassner, die nicht nur stellvertretende Vorsitzende der DOSB-Athletenkommission, sondern auch eine Initiatorin der neuen Athletenorganisation ist,  hält das «für Quatsch», denn Deutschland sei ein erfolgreiches Land und könne sich eine solche finanzielle Stärkung leisten.

Deutsche Spitzenathleten wollen eigene Sportlerorganisation gründen

Read the full story on SwimSwam: DOSB äussert sich distanziert zu “Athleten Deutschland” Gründung

By Braden Keith on SwimSwam

USA Swimming National Junior Team member Reece Whitley kicked off his first club meet of the 2017-2018 season with 3 wins in 2 days at the UDAC Rocktoberfest Swim Meet in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. Whitley, a Cal commit, swims for the Penn Charter Aquatic Club.

• Meet results on Meet Mobile Search “UDAC Rocktoberfest”

Through 2 days of the meet n his best event, the 100 breaststroke, he swam a 52.77. That’s the 5th-best time of his career in the race (his best is 51.84) and is easily the fastest he’s been at a non-championship-style meet. It’s also a full second-and-a-half faster than any swimmer of any age had been this season coming into the day – PJ Stevens of Tennessee was the prior pacesetter at 54.34 from his team’s tri-meet with Auburn and Wisconsin.

Whitley also swam the 400 IM, 100 IM, and 200 back in the meet – the latter of which is the only event he didn’t win. His 400 IM time of 3:47.63 is within half-a-second of his career best in the race, and is two seconds better than his teenage rival Michael Andrew swam on Saturday.

A comparison of splits between the two:

While both swimmers are great breaststrokers, the two swimmers pace their races much differently. While Andrew takes advantage of his unparalleled versatility and opens fast, Whitley makes his big break on the breaststroke leg. The difference in overall time, then is left to the freestyle leg – where Whitley was three-and-a-half seconds better on this weekend than was Andrew.

The 200 breaststroke will be raced on Sunday, though Whitley isn’t entered in that race. He’s scheduled instead to swim a triple of the 200 free, 200 IM, and 100 fly.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Reece Whitley Opens 2017-2018 Season With 52-Second 100 Yard Breast

By James Sutherland on SwimSwam

NOTRE DAME VS TEXAS A&M VS MICHIGAN STATE

• Friday, October 13 – Saturday, October 14
• Roffs Aquatic Center
• Notre Dame, IN
• Live Results
• Day 1 Results
• Day 2 Results

After opening up significant leads on day 1, the Texas A&M men and women closed out their dual with Notre Dame on Saturday with a pair of victories. The women topped the Fighting Irish 211-36, while the men prevailed by a score of 193.5-159.5. Michigan State also partook in the meet on day 1, with both the Aggie and Irish men and women defeating them in head-to-head scoring.

Women’s Meet

The Aggie women kept their foot on the gas on day 2, winning five of seven individual swimming events. Béryl Gastaldello, who won the 100 free on Friday, was their top performer with a pair of wins in the 100 fly (53.43) and 50 free (22.40).

Bethany Galat had two wins for Texas A&M on day 1, but was denied a third with teammate Jorie Caneta topping her in the 200 breast on day 2. Caneta touched in 2:12.08, with Galat close behind in 2:12.74. Lisa Bratton continued her strong meet with a decisive 100 back win (53.23), and Monika Gonzalez-Hermosillo led a 1-2-3 charge in the 400 IM.

After just one win on Friday, Notre Dame came back strong with four on Saturday. Abbie Dolan took down the 200 free in 1:46.58, and Lindsay Stone cruised to the win in the 1000 free in 9:51.07. They also had a win from diver Claire Andrews in the 3-meter, and won the 400 free relay in 3:19.82 to cap the meet off. Despite the Aggies officially scoring that swim as exhibition, due to already having the meet wrapped up, the Irish still beat them out by 0.07.

Men’s Meet

Notre Dame came back with a vengeance on day 2, picking up six wins after just two on day 1. Justin Plaschka was one of two Irish men who had multiple wins, claiming both the 50 free (20.22) and 100 fly (48.03).

Zach Yeadon picked up his second and third wins of the meet in the 200 (1:38.37) and 1000 free (9:03.25) after winning the 500 on Friday. Robby Whitacre added a win for them in the 100 back (48.59), and they closed the meet out with a win in the 400 free relay after the Aggie ‘A’ relay was DQed.

Mauro Castillo Luna won his third event of the meet for Texas A&M, taking the 200 breast handily in 1:58.56. Benjamin Walker won the 400 IM (3:53.10), Sam Thornton won the 3-meter diving event, and Castillo Luna joined up with Brock Bonetti, Jose Martinez and Adam Koster to win the 200 medley relay.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Gastaldello Doubles Up As Aggies Close Out Notre Dame

By Lauren Neidigh on SwimSwam

CALIFORNIA VS. UTAH

• Results
• Hosted by Utah
• Monday, October 9th
• 25 Yards
• Dual Meet Format

FINAL TEAM SCORES

• CAL: 186
• UTAH: 114

The Cal women took a road trip for a dual meet against Pac-12 rival Utah this week. The bears were successful in dominating the meet, winning with 186 points to Utah’s 114. They had 3 swimmers pick up 2 individual wins: Amy Bilquist, Ali Harrison, and Noemie Thomas.

Freshman Harrison could be a key player for the Bears this season. Against Utah, she won both the 100 breast (1:03.98) and 200 breast (2:18.85). After graduating Marina Garcia, the Bears are in need of a new relay breaststroker. Though she’s one of a handful of women battling for the spot, Harrison appears to be the front runner of the breaststroke specialists at this point.

On the other hand, Kathleen Baker and Abbey Weitzeil are also possibilities if it comes down to it. Ideally, though, they’d take the back and free legs respectively. Both Weitzeil and Baker were absent from this meet.

Bilquist, an All-American freestyle/backstroker, battled closely with freshman teammate Robin Neumann in the 200 free. Neumann, who is swimming in her first ever yards season, held the lead up front, but Bilquist took over on the back half, winning in 1:50.54 to Neumann’s 1:50.98. She returned for another close race the 100 free, edging out Utah’s Dorien Butter for the win, 51.31 to 51.55.

Butterfly specialist Thomas swept the fly events. She led a 1-2 finish in the 200 fly with her 2:00.74, followed by freshman teammate Sarah Darcel (2:02.53). Thomas was dominant in the 100 fly, posting a 53.64 to finish 3 seconds ahead of All-American teammate Maddie Murphy (56.38).

PRESS RELEASE – CAL:

SALT LAKE CITY – In its first dual meet of the season, second-ranked Cal cruised past Utah, 186-114, Monday with a trio of swimmers winning two individual events each – freshman Ali Harrison, junior Amy Bilquist and senior Noemie Thomas.

The Golden Bears were coming off a two-day meet at Fresno State over the weekend and traveled with a smaller roster to allow some of the team members to recover physically and take care of some of their academic responsibilities. The lower numbers, though, didn’t affect Cal in the outcome.

“We had a little bit of a skeleton crew, and I thought we did a nice job overall,” head coach Teri McKeever said. “I thought the freshmen did well in their first dual meet, with several picking up event victories. We had different women stepping up at different times and gave a really good team effort. We’ll now get back to Berkeley to resume training after a few days of competition.”

Harrison earned wins in both the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke, while Bilquist swept the 100 and 200 freestyle, and Thomas took first in the 100 and 200 butterfly. In addition to Harrison, other freshmen who prevailed were Briana Thai on the 1-meter springboard, Sophie Krivokapic-Zhou in the 200 back and Sarah Darcel in the 200 IM.

Sophomore Maddie Murphy won the 50 free and Alexa Cacao triumphed on the 3-meter board to round out the individual victors. The foursome of Bilquist, Harrison, Thomas and Valerie Hullalso touched first in the opening 200 medley relay.

Cal next will send a contingent of five swimmers to the USA College Challenge Oct. 21-22 before the entire team returns to action for dual meets against Oregon State Nov. 3 and North Carolina State Nov. 4 in Berkeley.

PRESS RELEASE – UTAH:

Not yet available.

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Cal Freshman Ali Harrison Sweeps Breaststrokes vs. Utah

By Jared Anderson on SwimSwam

A statement from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) today on Wright State’s decision to cut its swimming & diving programs brought some harsh words from CSCAA Executive Director Joel Shinofield.

Wright State announced Friday that it would be cutting its men’s and women’s swimming & diving programs at the conclusion of this season. That came less than six months after the school announced the programs’ eliminations in May, then kept the teams around after a massive fundraising campaign raised more than $85,000 in order to keep the programs running. That fundraising effort was coordinated by the CSCAA.

Today, the CSCAA passed along a press release responding to the Wright State cuts with some harsh words. Shinofield called the decision “shortsighted,” emphasizing that Wright State’s financial goals as a school have been closely tied to “enrollment and retention,” an area where swimming & diving have actually helped the university.

“This lack of understanding of how a team contributes to the student experience, the institutional mission and the institution’s fiscal health really shows how shortsighted this decision is,” Shinofield says in the release. “The loss of this team indicates that they don’t understand how additional cuts to programs and faculty will further undermine the University’s future.”

You can read the full CSCAA release below:

Wright State University, already on notice for its failing fiscal health, announced the elimination of the swimming and diving team.  With the decision, the University stands to lose a team that had generated more than $1.02 million in tuition and fees and effectively paid for itself through donations.

The move further imperils the future of the University.  Earlier this year the Ohio Department of Higher Education placed the University on “Fiscal Watch” for failing to reach the state’s fiscal benchmarks two years in a row.   The solution, according to Finance Committee Chair Doug Fecher, is increased enrollment and retention, something the swimming and diving team contributed to with an average of over forty students each year and a retention rate that exceeds the rest of the student body.

In the Spring, faced with the prospect of elimination, the team generated over $100,000 in donations within eighteen days.  That was more than the teams’ combined operating budgets, but the cloud of uncertainty led to the transfer or decommitment of twenty-four students and a loss of at least $469,262 in tuition and fees.

Now that cloud of uncertainty is extending to the entire university as an exodus of students have left the formerly-prosperous university.  This Fall the institution expected a 5.4% decrease in enrollment – nearly double the rate from the previous year while budget cuts have led to the University eliminating 178 positions.

Among those still standing are Athletic Director Robert Grant.   According to the Dayton Daily News, Grant saw the athletic department budget grow by $1.6 Million just as he was eliminating a swimming and diving program that attracted, retained and graduated the types of students that Wright State professes to want on campus.

According to CSCAA Executive Director Joel Shinofield, “This lack of understanding of how a team contributes to the student experience, the institutional mission and the institution’s fiscal health really shows how shortsighted this decision is, the loss of this team indicates that they don’t understand how additional cuts to programs and faculty will further undermine the University’s future.”

Many prominent donors have echoed the same sentiments about the Wright State administration.  Kevin Aukerman, a Interventional Radiologist, parent of WSU Swimmer and a university donor cited president Dr. Cheryl Schrader’s refusal to  hear an alumni proposal that would have effectively paid for the teams operations through outside donations.

“As a new president who claims to be a good communicator, you would think she would want to engage the people who are the most passionate and willing to contribute to Wright State.  Here is a decision that has led to the loss of a million dollars in revenue along with some of our brightest students.  She had no interest in hearing alternatives or creatives ideas that have worked at other institutions.”

Shinofield went on to say “The swimming and diving program should be part of the university’s plan for a turnaround, something that parents, alumni, students and donors hoped to discuss with the new president, but were denied the opportunity.”

Read the full story on SwimSwam: CSCAA: Wright State Cut ‘Shortsighted’, Shows ‘Lack of Understanding’