UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842830976 said:

---

[COLOR="#006699"]
My main concern is that I haven't come across any indications of MSH having any ties to or a potential interest in Cal. Seeing that Mary-Sophie hails from Montreal, reckon we don't have the advantage of leveraging a Noemie or Bagshaw connection either.
.[/COLOR]

---

Looked at her twitter acct., and she is following Noemie, Missy and a number of Cal guys swimmers Prenot, Pebley, and future Bears Sean Grieshop though she also following Ledecky & Manuel probably added after the NCAA's. However good sign she has been following Cal's women Twitter account plus the Florida Gator's but as of now she isn't listing the Furds' twitter account. This is a good thing.

https://twitter.com/msophieharvey/following

Haven't seen a women's returning points analysis yet, but the gap (~100 points) between UT and Cal men was wider than expected. Gap between LSJU and Cal women should be roughly the same magnitude.

Unlikely that LSJU women are beaten at NCAAs as long as both Manuel and Ledecky are on the team, but their relay stroke depth was been depleted over the past two seasons and they don't have adequate replacements in the pipeline (current team members or incoming recruits). Didn't have a replacement for Haase last season (or next) and won't have a replacement for Neal next season. Same for Hu and Howe in 2019.

Teams are even in relays, so neither team will win/lose a title there. Difference is LSJU cluster scoring in middle distance, 400 IM, 1650, and diving. 2018 Bears can't close those gaps without multiple recruits.

Manuel redshirt in 2016, but was still a full time student on the farm, so theoretically she could graduate and go pro after next season. LSJU would still have Ledecky, Eastin, and several complementary swimmers, but would no longer be an unbeatable juggernaut.

Rising Cal seniors (minus Hull) already won a title as froskies, so better to consolidate scholly $s into 2018 recruits in order to go for a title when the Dream Team are seniors in 2019.

Lots of big updates here for MSH, and the reason she skipped the 400 Free and did so poorly on the 200 IM at Canadian Nationals. You can kick Ledecky's butt all the time if you come to Cal! And note, she also beat Eastin and Forde!

Eva, if you want to make the US Olympic team in 2020 in the Backstroke, then Backstroke U. aka Cal is the place to be.

And of course we can't forget Mama Bear, an inspiration to all women who want to be active during their pregnancy.

tedbear;842832485 said:

---

Lots of big updates here for MSH, and the reason she skipped the 400 Free and did so poorly on the 200 IM at Canadian Nationals. You can kick Ledecky's butt all the time if you come to Cal! And note, she also beat Eastin and Forde!

---

On Day 3, MSH completes the insane double of 200 Fly and 200 IM in the same day, and finishes third in both. She also seems to have that likable Cal fit in my opinion.

tedbear;842832715 said:

---

On Day 3, MSH completes the insane double of 200 Fly and 200 IM in the same day, and finishes third in both. She also seems to have that likable Cal fit in my opinion.

---

Video of MSH beating Ledecky in the 400 IM.

tedbear;842832486 said:

---

Eva, if you want to make the US Olympic team in 2020 in the Backstroke, then Backstroke U. aka Cal is the place to be.

---

Video of Eva winning the 200 Back.

juarezbear;842834161 said:

---

Please refresh my memory as to who MSH is?

---

BearDevil;842834266 said:

---

MSH is 2018 recruit Mary-Sophie Harvey. She's a distance oriented IMer with even more upside than fellow Canadian Darcel.

Penny is Penny Oleksisk, Canadian Olympic medalist heroine and featured in tedbear's avatar. Reasonable chance that either/both MSH and Penny will turn pro and still swim for Canadian colleges.

---

[COLOR="#006699"]As per BD's quoted post above

MSH = [COLOR="#800080"]Mary-Sophie Harvey[/COLOR] (#1 QC, #4 National) https://www.collegeswimming.com/swimmer/450968/
[/COLOR]

BearDevil;842834266 said:

---

Based on an interview in the 2018 recruiting thread, worries about the French Canadian language barrier appear to be overblown. Don't know about spelling, but clearly MSH's vocabulary is much more advanced than UAC's. MSH actually uses words that civilized/educated North Americans recognize.

---

[COLOR="#006699"]Well that's cos Canadians being privileged members of the Commonwealth know how to spell properly, even the ones from Quebec lol :p

On a more serious note, MSH should imo be one of Teri's prime targets for this recruiting class (along with Eva, Zoe & Taylor...plus a sprinter like Amalie or Julia), if she decides to swim in the NCAA. A number of other schools have already taken an interest in the #4 recruit - Georgia, Michigan, ASU, Toronto, Hawaii, Florida Atlantic, etc.

Holds 5 converted times that would have scored @ NCAA finals last March as well as being [U]800 Free relay[/U] worthy: [U]400 IM[/U], [U]200 Free[/U], [U]200 IM[/U], [U]500 Free[/U], [U]200 Breast[/U]. Note that the latter 3 were all achieved at non-championship meets. Not to mention meeting 'B' cuts as well with her converted best times in the [U]200 Fly[/U] & [U]100 Free[/U].

Pretty sure MSH would have accomplished new PBs in the [U]200m IM[/U] + [U]400m Free[/U] this month, if she hadn't fallen seriously ill after having already secured her Worlds spots in the [U]400m IM[/U] & [U]200m Free[/U] earlier!

The NCAA schedule does work a bit against Mary-Sophie's strengths as her strongest races would fall on a really tough double on either Day 2 or Day 3, but which could always be avoided if she took on one of her weaker (relatively speaking) events such as the [U]200 Breast[/U] on Day 4.
[/COLOR]

-------------



[INDENT]===== [SIZE=5]DAY 2[/SIZE] =====[/INDENT]



[SIZE=4][U]500y Free[/U][/SIZE] (2017 NCAA 'A' Cut: [U]4:36.30[/U])


[COLOR="#000066"][INDENT]~ 2017 NCAA [COLOR="#ff3399"]A[/COLOR] Final Qualifying Time (8th) = [U]4:38.09[/U] ~[/INDENT]
Katie McLaughlin ...... 4:36.04...... 2017 Pac-12s**[/COLOR]
[COLOR="#800080"]Mary-Sophie H[/COLOR] ....... 4:36.83...... 2016 Dec* [COLOR="#808080"](converted from 400m Free SCM time of 4:02.23)[/COLOR]

[COLOR="#000033"][INDENT]~ 2017 NCAA [COLOR="#0066cc"]B[/COLOR] Final Qualifying Time (16th) = [U]4:39.97[/U] ~[/INDENT]
[COLOR="#800080"]Mary-Sophie H[/COLOR] ....... 4:39.76...... 2017 Jan* [COLOR="#808080"](converted from 400m Free LCM time of 4:09.69)[/COLOR]
[COLOR="#006400"]��[/COLOR] [COLOR="#B22222"]Brooke Forde[/COLOR] ....... 4:39.87...... 2017 Feb*[/COLOR]

[COLOR="#003366"][INDENT]~ 2017 NCAA Slowest [COLOR="#0099cc"]Invited[/COLOR] Time (40th) = [U]4:41.84[/U] ~[/INDENT]
Chenoa Devine ........ 4:41.19...... 2017 Pac-12s** [/COLOR]



-------------



[SIZE=4][U]200y IM[/U][/SIZE] (2017 NCAA 'A' Cut: [U]1:55.35[/U])


[COLOR="#000066"][INDENT]~ 2017 NCAA [COLOR="#ff3399"]A[/COLOR] Final Qualifying Time (8th) = [U]1:55.59[/U] ~[/INDENT]
Kathleen Baker ........ 1:51.69...... 2017 NCAAs***
[COLOR="#006400"]��[/COLOR] [COLOR="#B22222"]Brooke Forde[/COLOR] ....... 1:55.55...... 2016 Dec*[/COLOR]

[COLOR="#000033"][INDENT]~ 2017 NCAA [COLOR="#0066cc"]B[/COLOR] Final Qualifying Time (16th) = [U]1:56.34[/U] ~[/INDENT]
[COLOR="#800080"]Mary-Sophie H[/COLOR] ....... 1:56.00...... 2017 Jan* [COLOR="#808080"](converted from 200m IM LCM time of 2:11.96)[/COLOR] [/COLOR]

[COLOR="#003366"][INDENT]~ 2017 NCAA Slowest [COLOR="#0099cc"]Invited[/COLOR] Time (40th) = [U]1:57.66[/U] ~[/INDENT]
[COLOR="#8B4513"]��[/COLOR] [COLOR="#DAA520"]Sarah Darcel[/COLOR] ....... 1:56.49...... 2017 Canadian Trials* [COLOR="#808080"](converted from 200m IM LCM time of 2:12.51)[/COLOR]
Keaton Blovad ......... 1:57.21...... 2016 Georgia Fall Invite* [/COLOR]



-------------



[INDENT]===== [SIZE=5]DAY 3[/SIZE] =====[/INDENT]



[SIZE=4][U]400y IM[/U][/SIZE] (2017 NCAA 'A' Cut: [U]4:05.36[/U])


[COLOR="#000066"][INDENT]~ 2017 NCAA [COLOR="#ff3399"]A[/COLOR] Final Qualifying Time (8th) = [U]4:06.00[/U] ~[/INDENT]
[COLOR="#006400"]��[/COLOR] [COLOR="#B22222"]Brooke Forde[/COLOR] ....... 4:02.51...... 2016 Dec*
[COLOR="#800080"]Mary-Sophie H[/COLOR] ....... 4:03.42...... 2017 Canadian Trials* [COLOR="#808080"](converted from 400m IM LCM time of 4:36.60)[/COLOR]
[COLOR="#8B4513"]��[/COLOR] [COLOR="#DAA520"]Sarah Darcel[/COLOR] ........ 4:05.84...... 2017 Canadian Trials* [COLOR="#808080"](converted from 400m IM LCM time of 4:39.29)[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[COLOR="#000033"][INDENT]~ 2017 NCAA [COLOR="#0066cc"]B[/COLOR] Final Qualifying Time (16th) = [U]4:07.88[/U] ~[/INDENT]
- N/A - [/COLOR]

[COLOR="#003366"][INDENT]~ 2017 NCAA Slowest [COLOR="#0099cc"]Invited[/COLOR] Time (40th) = [U]4:10.86[/U] ~[/INDENT]
- N/A - [/COLOR]



-------------



[SIZE=4][U]200y Free[/U][/SIZE] (2017 NCAA 'A' Cut: [U]1:43.63[/U])


[COLOR="#000066"][INDENT]~ 2017 NCAA [COLOR="#ff3399"]A[/COLOR] Final Qualifying Time (8th) = [U]1:43.73[/U] ~[/INDENT]
Kathleen Baker ....... 1:42.66...... 2017 NCAAs***
Katie McLaughlin ..... 1:43.01...... 2015 May
Abbey Weitzeil ........ 1:43.25...... 2016 Mar
[COLOR="#800080"]Mary-Sophie H[/COLOR] ...... 1:43.25...... 2017 Canadian Trials* [COLOR="#808080"](converted from 200m Free LCM time of 1:57.81)[/COLOR]
[COLOR="#8B4513"]��[/COLOR] [COLOR="#DAA520"] Robin Neumann[/COLOR] ... 1:43.28...... 2016 Apr [COLOR="#808080"](converted from 200m Free LCM time of 1:57.85)[/COLOR] [/COLOR]

[COLOR="#000033"][INDENT]~ 2017 NCAA [COLOR="#0066cc"]B[/COLOR] Final Qualifying Time (16th) = [U]1:44.96[/U] ~[/INDENT]
[COLOR="#006400"]��[/COLOR] [COLOR="#B22222"]Brooke Forde[/COLOR] ...... 1:44.68...... 2017 Feb*[/COLOR]

[COLOR="#003366"][INDENT]~ 2017 NCAA Slowest [COLOR="#0099cc"]Invited[/COLOR] Time (39th) = [U]1:45.44[/U] ~[/INDENT]
Amy Bilquist ............ 1:45.03...... 2015 Mar [COLOR="#808080"](had busted out a 1:42.08 split in the 800 free relay @ 2017 NCAAs, w/flying start) [/COLOR] [/COLOR]




-------------



[INDENT]===== [SIZE=5]DAY 4[/SIZE] =====[/INDENT]







[SIZE=4][U]200y Breast[/U][/SIZE] (2017 NCAA 'A' Cut: [U]2:07.33[/U])


[COLOR="#000066"][INDENT]~ 2017 NCAA [COLOR="#ff3399"]A[/COLOR] Final Qualifying Time (8th) = [U]2:07.45[/U] ~[/INDENT]
- N/A - [/COLOR]

[COLOR="#000033"][INDENT]~ 2017 NCAA [COLOR="#0066cc"]B[/COLOR] Final Qualifying Time (16th) = [U]2:09.79[/U] ~[/INDENT]
[COLOR="#800080"]Mary-Sophie H[/COLOR] ..... 2:08.46...... 2017 Mar* [COLOR="#808080"](converted from 200m Breast LCM time of 2:26.60)[/COLOR]
[COLOR="#006400"]��[/COLOR] [COLOR="#B22222"]Brooke Forde[/COLOR] ...... 2:09.12...... 2016 Dec*
[COLOR="#006400"]��[/COLOR] [COLOR="#B22222"]Grace Zhao[/COLOR] ........ 2:09.21...... 2016 Dec*
[COLOR="#8B4513"]��[/COLOR] [COLOR="#DAA520"]Sarah Darcel[/COLOR] ....... 2:09.49...... 2017 Canadian Trials* [COLOR="#808080"](converted from 200m Breast LCM time of 2:27.74)[/COLOR] [/COLOR]

[COLOR="#003366"][INDENT]~ 2017 NCAA Slowest [COLOR="#0099cc"]Invited[/COLOR] Time (40th) = [U]2:10.55[/U] ~[/INDENT]
- N/A - [/COLOR]



-------------

------


[COLOR="#000080"][SIZE=5]16-YEAR OLD FREYA ANDERSON WINS FIRST BRITISH TITLE[/SIZE][/COLOR]




https://swimswam.com/16-year-old-freya-anderson-wins-first-british-title/


------


[COLOR="#006699"]Do realise that bringing in an elite international involves a significant degree of risk and basically represents a less cost-effective approach than recruiting domestic studs, but the 100m Free champion from today's BSC session may be well worth keeping a bit of an eye on, IMHO: [/COLOR]

(Women's [U]100m Free[/U] event begins at around the 1:01:26 spot in the race video below)

[video=youtube;o0HGvO6j9pQ][/video]


------


[INDENT][SIZE=3]Freya Anderson British summer championships 2016[/SIZE]



[INDENT]Freya Anderson lands 2016 European Junior gold in [U]100m Free[/U][/INDENT]


[SIZE=3]Freya Anderson European Junior Championships 2016[/SIZE]



[SIZE=3]2016 British Emerging Swimmer of the Year - Freya Anderson[/SIZE]
[/INDENT]


------


[COLOR="#006699"]Now don't know if Freya has any interest at all in going across the pond for uni, but top-level sprinters are always in demand at the NCAA level (relays and all that). Reckon Anderson has quite a bit of upside as her anaemic underwaters and meh starts are potential areas for massive improvements once they get sorted out. Also noted from her races is that she is definitely a strong back half swimmer in the Missy mould.

Freya's 54.35 converts to 47.52 in the [U]100y Free[/U], which would have scored in the 6th spot in the A final @ [U]2017 NCAAs[/U] behind Farida, with Abbey being the only remaining Bear who has gone faster.

Freya's [U]50 Free[/U] (25.44 LCM -> 22.19 SCY which is on the cusp of NCAA B final scoring) & [U]200 Free[/U] (2:00.41 LCM -> 1:45.59 SCY which almost makes the 2017 NCAA invited time) aren't quite as strong, though still pretty decent.

However, the sobering reality is that the freshie classes of 2019, where #2 Penny is considerably faster in her [U]100 to 200 Free[/U], #1 Isabel has a much better [U]200 Free[/U] (1:43.64 which is an NCAA A final scoring time), and #3 Kate Douglass a superior [U]50 Free[/U] time augmented by her [U]breaststroke[/U] talent ... and 2020 (uber recruits Regan Smith & Alex Walsh amongst others), are already filled with heavy hitters who probably represent better value and safer bets.[/COLOR]


------

------


[COLOR="#006699"]As of [U]26 April 2017[/U]:[/COLOR]













[COLOR="#006699"]Note that unlike most of the other countries above, Americans haven't raced their 2017 Nationals or Trials yet, i.e. in a tapered & shaved state...[/COLOR]


------

BearDevil;842778267 said:

---

Targets:

Non-Cal ties:

-Zoe Bartel-CO 100/200 Breast, 200 IM, Medley relays

---

UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842778423 said:

---

wouldn't come as a complete surprise to me if #6 Cassidy Bayer or even #7 Zoe Bartel sign on to bat for the Dark Side, though hope I'm completely off here - esp with regards to Zoe, as finally getting a top class Breast stud (no disrespect to 2017 furdette Grace Zhao who really turned it on @ Winter Jrs) would take care of one of the few remaining weaknesses of Meehan's squad (actually come to think of it, would be a double whammy since Zoe would be so vital to the Bears in this critical area, though there's always Kate Douglass & Alex Walsh in the following classes).

---

tedbear;842778451 said:

---

The one recruit I want badly, that we all fear is heading to the Furd, is Zoe Bartel. Like UAC said, it would be a double whammy because it would hurt us in an area of need, and make the Furd stronger, in their area of weakness.

---

[COLOR="#006699"]
Well guess we now know who else (in addition to Taylor Ruck, Grace Ariola & Anya Goeders) Greg's making a massive play for from the cream-of-the-crop of this class (thx for the heads up, tedbear)

It's still relatively early in the recruiting cycle and nothing's set in stone quite yet, but the signs aren't too encouraging for us from looking at this photo posted by Zoe on social media today...doesn't help that ace backstroker Lucie would patch up a big hole for LSJU after Janet Hu & Ally Howe's graduation if Nordmann should also elect to join the furdette juggernaut... :cry: :bawl:
[/COLOR]

Zoe Bartel (#1 CO, #7 Nat) & Lucie Nordmann (#3 TX, #9 Nat)

BearDevil;842778267 said:

---

Targets:

Non-Cal ties:

-Julia Cook-TX 50 to 200 Free sprinter

---

UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842778423 said:

---

Really great list, BearDevil

Would also give a thumbs up to your choice of sprinters #5 Amalie Fackenthal and #3 Julia Cook who both made quite an impression at the recent Jr Nationals.

---

[COLOR="#006699"]Looks like we can cross Julia Cook (#1 TX, #1= Nat) off the list as she has, unsurprisingly enough, just announced her early verbal to :bear: alum Carol Capitani's Horns. Wish Julia the best down there @ Austin!

Head Coach Capitani also reportedly wooing Grace Ariola (#1 IL, #6 Nat), Dakota Luther (#3 TX, #8 Nat) & Sinead Eksteen (#3 VA, #45 Nat), amongst others...
[/COLOR]

------


Julia Cook: "beyond excited to say that I have verbally committed to swim at the University of Texas!! I'm super blessed to have the best coaches, friends, and family members that have supported me and my decisions throughout it all. Hook 'em Horns!���� ❤️"




------


[SIZE=3][COLOR="#8B4513"][U]UPDATE[/U][/COLOR][/SIZE]: [COLOR="#006699"]Sinead Eksteen (#3 VA, #45 Nat) -> The Fighting Irish...
[/COLOR]

[COLOR="#000080"][SIZE=5]2X VIRGINIA 6A CHAMP, JUNIOR SINEAD EKSTEEN, VERBALLY COMMITS TO NOTRE DAME[/SIZE][/COLOR]




https://swimswam.com/2x-virginia-6a-champ-junior-sinead-eksteen-verbally-commits-notre-dame/


------

BearDevil;842778267 said:

---

Targets:

Non-Cal ties:

-Madison Homovich-NC 500/1650, 400 IM

---

UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842778423 said:

---

[COLOR="#006699"]Distance - #11 Nat Jr teamer Erica Sullivan could help Chenoa & Anina out, if #19 Madison Homovich doesn't come our way?[/COLOR] https://www.collegeswimming.com/swimmer/356546/

---

------


Madison Homovich: Excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and swimming career at the University of Georgia! Can't wait to be a part of such an amazing school and team! Go dawgs����!




------

UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842794801 said:

---

[COLOR="#006699"]
several of the bright prospects below:

3) Versatile all-rounder [SIZE=3]Grace Countie[/SIZE] (#3 NC, #33 Nat)

Might as well add them to the mix for consideration, you never know (still a mite early IMO to narrow down our wish lists to a final draft though... )
[/COLOR]

---

-----


Grace Countie: Beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Thank you so much to the Coaches, my family, friends and the amazing people I met along the way! Go heels!!! ��




-----


[SIZE=3][COLOR="#8B4513"][U]UPDATE[/U][/COLOR][/SIZE]: [COLOR="#006699"]Not on our original radar, but posting this since I have a soft spot for our furry friends lol... Hannah Foster‏ (#1 OH, #56 Nat) -> Tenn Vols.
[/COLOR]

Hannah Foster‏: I am SO excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim at the University of Tennessee!! GO VOLS!!!!������




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[COLOR="#000080"][SIZE=5]WELCOME TO THE NEW AGE OF RECRUITING: 25 JUNIORS COMMITTED ALREADY[/SIZE][/COLOR]


[COLOR="#696969"]When Missy Franklin committed to Cal as a high school junior, she was a unique case. In 2017, early commitments are becoming the norm. Archive Photo via Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com[/COLOR]


https://swimswam.com/welcome-to-the-new-age-of-recruiting-25-juniors-committed-already/


-----

Not a fancy write up by any means, but wanted to share the news per SwimSwam: https://swimswam.com/national-team-member-cassidy-bayer-gives-early-verbal-commitment/

Go Bears!!

BearDevil;842778267 said:

---

Targets:

Non-Cal ties:

-Cassidy Bayer-VA Flyer

---

HBear;842839487 said:

---

Not a fancy write up by any means, but wanted to share the news per SwimSwam: https://swimswam.com/national-team-member-cassidy-bayer-gives-early-verbal-commitment/

Go Bears!!

---

[COLOR="#006699"]Wow, sorry I'm a bit behind, really appreciate the heads up HBear!

First [U]2018 verbal[/U] for :bear:, and a pretty massive one at that!!!

UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842778423 said:

---

wouldn't come as a complete surprise to me if #6 Cassidy Bayer or even #7 Zoe Bartel sign on to bat for the Dark Side, though hope I'm completely off here

---

Had originally assumed that Cassidy was headed to the Farm (Ledecky & Byrnes connection), or down to 'SC (where she had made an unofficial visit and hung out with some of their team members), so a very pleasant surprise here
[/COLOR]

Cassidy Bayer (#1 DC, #14 Nat) [COLOR="#006699"]- was ranked #6 nationally by Collegeswimming back in Dec 2016...prob. should still be considered a Top 10 recruit, imho!

[INDENT]https://www.collegeswimming.com/swimmer/273831/[/INDENT]


Just for the fun of comparison for comparison's sake lol, Cassidy's actually faster than LSJU's top flyer from their incoming class of 2017 (Kuks) in both the [U]100[/U] & [U]200 Fly[/U] (considerably more so in LCM), and also has better times in the [U]50[/U] & [U]100 Free[/U]. All this in spite of her knee injury!


Oh, and of course a beary, beary warm welcome goes out to Cassidy btw, yay yayyyyy![/COLOR] :cheer


-----


Cassidy Bayer: Grateful I have my Mom by my side on this Mother's Day to announce my verbal commitment to swim at the University of California Berkeley class of 2022! I would like to thank both of my parents, my brother, teammates, and coach Jeff King for their support. GO BEARS������ & Happy Mother's Day! ������



https://instagr.am/p/BUFqUtehKRW


-----


[COLOR="#003366"][SIZE=5][COLOR="#DAA520"]Cassidy Bayer[/COLOR] Verbally Commits to Cal for Fall of 2018[/SIZE][/COLOR]


Cassidy Bayer, the third-place finisher in the women's 200 fly at the U.S. Olympic Trials, has verbally committed to join the California Golden Bears and head coach Teri McKeever in the fall of 2018.

Bayer becomes the top recruit of the 2018 class to announce her verbal commitment, and she will undoubtedly make a huge impact from day one in Berkeley.


http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/cassidy-bayer-verbally-commits-to-cal-for-fall-of-2018/


-----


[COLOR="#800080"][SIZE=3][U]UPDATE[/U] =>[/SIZE] [/COLOR] [COLOR="#006699"]SwimSwam's co-founder Braden Keith had penned this comment:[/COLOR]

[COLOR="#696969"]"this is going to be a REALLY GOOD class (aren't they all these days?). On a quick scan, she {Cassidy}'s probably [U]top 3[/U] in some order with Taylor Ruck and Eva Merrell. There's a TON of backstrokers and butterfliers in the class, so based on our methodology that would give some lift to a great breaststroker if there were one in the classand while there's some very good ones, probably none good enough to bump her out."[/COLOR]

[COLOR="#006699"]Also, this comment from SAMUEL HUNTINGTON[/COLOR]:
[COLOR="#696969"]"I don't think she has done tapered times for SCY in awhile so who knows how fast she could be"[/COLOR]


-----


[video=youtube;qNxBXrq_LRg][/video]


-----

UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842839490 said:

---

[COLOR="#006699"]Wow, sorry I'm a bit behind, really appreciate the heads up HBear!

First [U]2018 verbal[/U] for :bear:, and a pretty massive one at that!!!




Had originally assumed that Cassidy was headed to the Farm (Ledecky & Byrnes connection), or down to 'SC (where she had made an unofficial visit and hung out with some of their team members), so a very pleasant surprise here
[/COLOR]

Cassidy Bayer (#1 DC, #14 Nat) [COLOR="#006699"]- was ranked #6 nationally by Collegeswimming back in Dec 2016...prob. should still be considered a Top 10 recruit, imho!

[INDENT]https://www.collegeswimming.com/swimmer/273831/[/INDENT]


Just for the fun of comparison for comparison's sake lol, Cassidy's actually faster than LSJU's top flyer from their incoming class of 2017 (Kuks) in both the [U]100[/U] & [U]200 Fly[/U] (considerably more so in LCM), and also has better times in the [U]50[/U] & [U]100 Free[/U]. All this in spite of her knee injury!


Oh, and of course a beary, beary warm welcome goes out to Cassidy btw, yay yayyyyy![/COLOR] :cheer


-----


Cassidy Bayer: Grateful I have my Mom by my side on this Mother's Day to announce my verbal commitment to swim at the University of California Berkeley class of 2022! I would like to thank both of my parents, my brother, teammates, and coach Jeff King for their support. GO BEARS������ & Happy Mother's Day! ������



https://instagr.am/p/BUFqUtehKRW


-----


[COLOR="#003366"][SIZE=5][COLOR="#DAA520"]Cassidy Bayer[/COLOR] Verbally Commits to Cal for Fall of 2018[/SIZE][/COLOR]


Cassidy Bayer, the third-place finisher in the women’s 200 fly at the U.S. Olympic Trials, has verbally committed to join the California Golden Bears and head coach Teri McKeever in the fall of 2018.

Bayer becomes the top recruit of the 2018 class to announce her verbal commitment, and she will undoubtedly make a huge impact from day one in Berkeley.


http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/cassidy-bayer-verbally-commits-to-cal-for-fall-of-2018/


-----

---

:wave

So many recruits are committing so early now...but I'm happy. Hope this is the 1st of many.

OBear073akaSMFan;842839494 said:

---

:wave

So many recruits are committing so early now...but I'm happy. Hope this is the 1st of many.

---

[COLOR="#006699"]Yes, Cassidy's a really brill get!!! :cheer

Def. should be rated much higher than her current [U]CollegeSwimming[/U] ranking, cos most of Bayer's times have been from the big pool, apparently didn't even seriously race SCY last season due to her knee injury. Has always been a standout amongst junior prospects on the international scene for some years now. Tons of upside to our 2018 recruit!

Also brings to the table her connections & close friendships with many of the current [U]National Junior Team[/U] members... :beer:

[video=youtube;Q4aKpyAm75s][/video]

Above video interview was released today by [U]Swimming World[/U] - sounds like Cassidy connected well with Teri during her unofficial trips to Cal, and has developed a bond with Katie McL:[/COLOR]



:gobears:

-----

UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842840564 said:

---

Has always been a standout amongst junior prospects on the international scene for some years now. Tons of upside to our 2018 recruit!

---

[COLOR="#006699"]Guess Dana has been a hero of Cassidy's for some time now... [/COLOR]


[COLOR="#0066cc"][SIZE=4]Olympic Hopeful Faces Her Biggest Challenge: Growing Up | TODAY (Dec 28, 2015)[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[video=youtube;vH_8SXRWb-Y][/video]


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UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842840564 said:

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[COLOR="#006699"]sounds like Cassidy connected well with Teri during her unofficial trips to Cal, and has developed a bond with Katie McL[/COLOR]

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[COLOR="#000080"][SIZE=4]Bayer and McLaughlin tie in 200m Butterfly in Austin - Universal Sports (Jan 17, 2015)[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[INDENT][COLOR="#DAA520"][SIZE=3][U]RACE VIDEO[/U] =>[/SIZE][/COLOR] [/INDENT]


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Their 2nd big time recruit Grace Ariola #6 Nat, #1 Ill

Lots of early verbals.

[SIZE=5]GRACE ARIOLA GIVES EARLY VERBAL COMMITMENT TO TEXAS LONGHORNS[/SIZE]



Her top SCY times are:
200 back – 1:54.60
100 back – 53.04
50 back – 25.06
100 free – 48.98
50 free – 22.20


https://swimswam.com/grace-ariola-gives-early-verbal-commitment-texas-longhorns/

OBear073akaSMFan;842840902 said:

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Their 2nd big time recruit Grace Ariola #6 Nat, #1 Ill

Lots of early verbals.

[SIZE=5]GRACE ARIOLA GIVES EARLY VERBAL COMMITMENT TO TEXAS LONGHORNS[/SIZE]



Her top SCY times are:
200 back 1:54.60
100 back 53.04
50 back 25.06
100 free 48.98
50 free 22.20


https://swimswam.com/grace-ariola-gives-early-verbal-commitment-texas-longhorns/

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Wow, this is a shock! I thought she was a Furdie for sure. Texas is suddenly becoming a big player with both Ariola and Cook. Add in future soph Claire Adams, and you have the makings of a very solid team.

UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842837477 said:

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Looks like we can cross Julia Cook (#1 TX, #1= Nat) off the list as she has, unsurprisingly enough, just announced her early verbal to :bear: alum Carol Capitani's Horns. Wish Julia the best down there @ Austin!

Head Coach Capitani also reportedly wooing Grace Ariola (#1 IL, #6 Nat), Dakota Luther (#3 TX, #8 Nat)

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OBear073akaSMFan;842840902 said:

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Their 2nd big time recruit Grace Ariola #6 Nat, #1 Ill

Lots of early verbals.https://swimswam.com/grace-ariola-gives-early-verbal-commitment-texas-longhorns/

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[COLOR="#006699"]Yup, Carol and her Horns are def making some big moves in the right direction, starting off with their 5th place finish @ 2017 NCAAs, achieving a perfect Academic Progress Rate (APR) score from the NCAA, and now snagging a pair of Top 10 verbals for the 2018 class before July 1st!

Now that Grace, who had originally been recruited by LSJU, is off the books, I'm thinking that Greg & Tracy may be focussing on Taylor (#1 AZ, #1= Nat), Zoe (#1 CO, #15 Nat), Lucie (#3 TX, #9 Nat), Anya (#1 IN, #36 Nat) & Elise (#4 CA, #21 Nat) amongst others (i.e. bound to be a top recruit or two who hasn't been mentioned here, plus a number of in-staters).

This elite cadre will certainly provide the furdettes with plenty of sprinting firepower all the way up to the 200 free (Taylor, Anya, Elise), a top end breast stud (Zoe), a strong IM'er in Taylor, and a very capable backstroker (Lucie)...but thankfully no direct replacement for the multi-talented Howe & Hu (fly & back + free) whose impressive versatility affords Meehan so many options & flexibility, esp. in their relays!

Still feeling bullish on Eva (#1 CA, #1= Nat) ultimately choosing the blue & gold (Trojanettes no doubt working hard to woo our super recruit tho). Merrell would be the key uber recruit of this class who, along with Cassidy (#1 DC, #14 Nat) & hopefully MSH (#1 QC, #4 Nat) (fingers doubly crossed lol), would finally provide our Bears with a fighting chance of upsetting the furdette juggernaut @ [U]2019 NCAAs[/U]!

Reckon we do still have a shot with Taylor & Elise if Teri really wants them, depending on how things will work out at various ends.

Hallie Kinsey (#5 CA, #32 Nat), Izzi Henig (#8 CA, #49 Nat) or Vivian Wang could be some of the locals destined for Berkeley. With Mikki Thompson (#6 CA, #33 Nat) or Jessica Epps (#14 CA, #76 Nat) as our in-state prospects. Obviously would love to have Amalie (#2 CA, #10 Nat) on board too!

As for [U]'SC[/U] who'll be pining vainly for Eva lol, wouldn't be surprised if they are making a play for Sam Shelton (#3 CA, #17 Nat) or Amalie as well as getting set to welcome Sophie Hansson (SWE, #23 Nat) as their international breast stud.

[U]Dawgs[/U] will perhaps add breaststroker Allie Raab (#1 TN, #19 Nat) or freestyler Morgan Tankersley (#1 FL, #8 Nat) to their roster after having reeled in distance swimmer Madison Homovich (#2 NC, #24 Nat).

Don't have any clue as to where some of these other elite recruits will end up committing to:

- Emma Muzzy (#1 VA, #5 Nat)
- Olivia Carter (#1 NC, #12 Nat)
- Easop Lee (#1 MD, #16 Nat)
- Erica Sullivan (#1 NV, #22 Nat)

Wouldn't mind welcoming Erica to Cal actually as she'd definitely shore up our distance holes, having just won the Junior National 5K Open Water Champs @ Castiac Lake yesterday... Emma is also another promising talent who may be a good fit.
All of this pure conjecture aka speculation on my part at this early point of course haha... Will be interesting to see how all of this will play out... :gobears:
[/COLOR]

UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842840921 said:

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[COLOR="#006699"]Don't have any clue as to where some of these other elite recruits will end up committing to:


- Olivia Carter (#1 NC, #12 Nat)[/COLOR]

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Olivia Carter: I'm honored and delighted to announce my verbal commitment to swim at University of Georgia!! #GoDawgs

[SIZE=5]
TOP POTENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR THE ARIZONA HEAD COACHING JOB[/SIZE]


On the face his resignation doesn't seem much but looking at some of the potential candidates could very well affect 2018 recruiting and possible transfers (imo). Two of the biggest names that could impact Cal which swimswam is putting out there is Dave Marsh and Yuri Suguiyama. There is no proof that Dave Marsh's is interested but his name seem to be linked to all new opening. His accomplishment & success speaks for itself and if AZ were to get him this would be a major coup for them. I think Yuri might be a long shot but he is someone quickly building a reputation. If he now playing a major part in recruiting for our Cal Men, then who knows how they would impact our recruiting in the future.

It would be very interesting who AZ picks, which I would think would be done soon, since so many 2018 recruits are signing earlier and earlier. Your thoughts?

Quote:

---

SAM BUSCH OR AUGIE BUSCH
The first two names on the list have very close ties to Frank Busch familial ones. Sam and Augie are sons to Frank and both spent time coaching at Arizona before moving on to other programs. At this point, Augie is the head coach at Virginia and seems to be pretty well embedded there, though he could certainly make the jump to Tucson. Sam has been an assistant at Virginia since 2013 and could be a candidate for a head coaching job after roughly a decade in the coaching realm.

DAVID MARSH
Marsh's name is going to be chronically linked to literally any job opening at any level until his long-term plans are revealed. One of the most successful college coaches in history, Marsh built Auburn into a powerhouse in the mid-2000s, but left that role for the club level in 2007. He's with North Carolina-based SwimMAC since then, heading up a rapidly-expanding professional training group connected with the club.
He recently stepped away from his head coaching and CEO duties with the club and said he plans to keep coaching Team Elite (the group of pros formerly connected to SwimMAC), but hasn't yet spoken on the specifics of the next step of his career. If Marsh were interested in returning to the college realm, he'd be a huge get for Arizona, and we'd also see an interesting merger on the professional level between Team Elite and Arizona's established Tucson Ford Dealer Aquatics.

YURI SUGUIYAMA
Another name perennially floated as a candidate for major head coaching openings is Yuri Suguiyama, who's been a popular and successful assistant with the Cal men's program. Before Cal, Suguiyama coached the Nation's Capital Swim Club during Katie Ledecky's breakout years, and Ledecky's name is a pretty good one to have on one's resume.

KELLY KREMER
The head men's and women's coach at Minnesota, Kremer was offered the Arizona job back in 2011, but chose to stay at Minnesota, where he'd been coaching in some capacity since 1998. Kremer has produced a number of NCAA champs on the women's side at Minnesota and would bring head coaching experience in a combined program to Arizona, something not many candidates have. But the big question is if Kremer chose not to leave Minnesota six years ago, what would convince him to take the Arizona job the second time around?

GREG RHODENBAUGH
Another candidate with combined program head coaching experience and Arizona ties is Missouri's Greg Rhodenbaugh. He was an assistant with Busch at Arizona for 11 years before taking over the Missouri program, which he's turned into one of the fastest-rising in the NCAA. He just recently produced the program's first-ever NCAA champ (breaststroker Fabian Schwingenschlogl) and has the Tigers fighting for top 10 spots as a team at NCAAs.

WHITNEY HITE
Kremer, Rhodenbaugh, Augie Busch and Whitney Hite are all current head coaches who are maybe less likely to jump to a new program, but certainly qualify as dream candidates from Arizona's perspective. Hite was an assistant to Frank Busch during Busch's last two years in Tucson and has coaching experience with a couple of big-name programs: Georgia (women's assistant, 1998-2003) and Cal (women's assistant, 2004-2006), plus was the head coach for men and women at Washington before his time at Arizona. Now, Hite is at Wisconsin, where he's got the Badger men and women swimming as well as they ever have, particularly the Wisconsin freestylers of all distances.

RORIC FINK
Another former Arizona assistant, Roric Fink is now an assistant with the Texas women, who are rapidly gaining steam in the NCAA. Fink was with Arizona for 8 seasons in the mid-2000s and also coached a number of key athletes with Tuscon Ford Dealer Aquatics, Arizona's companion club/professional hub.

TODD DESORBO
DeSorbo doesn't have Arizona ties, but has gained a lot of notoriety for his assistant coaching role with NC State, one of the fastest-rising programs in the nation. The Wolfpack men and women have gone from ACC obscurity to the NCAA's elite tier, and DeSorbo has been with the program through that whole rise, starting with the team in 2011. DeSorbo was previously an assistant at UNC Wilmington, his alma mater. Though he does have some head coaching experience at the club level, he hasn't yet been a head coach for a college program.

---

https://swimswam.com/top-potential-candidates-arizona-head-coaching-job/

Again, not a fancy write-up, but just saw this posted on SwimSwam:

https://swimswam.com/22-6-sprinter-elise-garcia-verbally-commits-cals-class-2022/

Go Bears!! :cheer

UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842756411 said:

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wrote on 5 Nov 2016:

Just noticed several [U]2018 recruits[/U] from SoCal on the pitch this evening @ the Washington game...visiting as part of Junior Day?

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[INDENT][COLOR="#000000"][U]Elise Garcia (#4 CA, #20 Nat)[/U], Jessica Epps (#8 CA, #55 Nat), Mikki Thompson (#11 CA, #67 Nat)[/COLOR][/INDENT]



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Haven't taken a close look at their various specialisations & strengths in the pool (no doubt good grades too!), but I'm sure they would all be very welcomed here

Elise Garcia would in particular be likely a valuable get from a swimming perspective. Not too surprising that there's a great deal of interest in Elise down on the Farm (club = [U]SOCAL Aquatics[/U], so already good friends w/both Ella & Emily Eastin)...as well as from UCLA, seeing that she's a legacy there.

Elise's 22.64 PB in the [U]50 free[/U] would place her 5th fastest @ Cal by the time she graduates HS, with just Abbey, Amy, Maddie & Kathleen currently ahead of her in this event. That time would have earned the 41st spot @ last year's NCAA Championship prelims (out of the 65 qualifiers). Garcia had also placed 70th in the [U]50m free[/U] @ 2016 Olympic Trials.

Similarly with Elise's 53.25 in the [U]100 fly[/U] where she's currently surpassed only by Katie, Maddie, Kathleen & Abbey amongst our :bear:s. Would have made the 36th spot @ 2016 NCAAs out of 59 qualifiers. 76th @ the LCM version during Trials.

Would need some more development in her weaker 3rd event, the [U]100 free[/U]. Elise's 49.84 is just under this year's B cut, would have been good for 57th out of 67 qualifiers.

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BearDevil;842778267 said:

---

Targets:

-Elise Garcia-Irvine. 50/100 Free

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UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842840921 said:

---

Now that Grace, who had originally been recruited by LSJU, is off the books, I'm thinking that Greg & Tracy may be focussing on Taylor (#1 AZ, #1= Nat), Zoe (#1 CO, #15 Nat), Lucie (#3 TX, #9 Nat), Anya (#1 IN, #36 Nat) & [U]Elise (#4 CA, #21 Nat)[/U] amongst others

This elite cadre will certainly provide the furdettes with plenty of sprinting firepower all the way up to the 200 free (Taylor, Anya, [U]Elise[/U])

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[COLOR="#006699"]Haha guess my speculation above is thankfully incorrect, after all Elise did attend Cal's Junior Day before the Furd version lol.

Anyway a very warm welcome to our 2nd baby :bear: for the froski class of 2018! :cheer
[/COLOR]

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[COLOR="#000066"][COLOR="#DAA520"]Elise Garcia[/COLOR] - 29 May 2017 [COLOR="#696969"]@ Laguna Beach, California[/COLOR]

Beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and swimming career at the University of California Berkeley!! I would like to thank all of my family, friends, and coaches for supporting me throughout this ongoing journey. I cannot wait to be a part of such an incredible program!! Go bears!!! ������ #classof2022[/COLOR]



https://instagr.am/p/BUsWs2QFhwP


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[COLOR="#000080"][SIZE=5]22.6 SPRINTER ELISE GARCIA VERBALLY COMMITS TO CAL'S CLASS OF 2022[/SIZE][/COLOR]


[SIZE=1]Crean Lutheran junior Elise Garcia has verbally committed to the University of California, Berkeley. [/SIZE]


Elise Garcia, a talented sprinter from Southern California, has verbally committed to the University of California, Berkeley for the 2018-19 season.

"I chose CAL because it offers the perfect balance of academics and athletics in a great environment. I look forward to working with Coach Teri and Coach Ian, and joining the amazing CAL family. Go Bears!!"

Garcia is a junior at Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine, California. She is just coming off a successful high school season that saw her win the 50 free at the CIF-Southern Section Division II Championships in May, breaking Gretchen Jacques' 2009 record of 22.90 in prelims with 22.71, then lowering her own record to 22.66 in finals. She also split 22.08 and 22.60 on the anchor of Crean's 200 medley and 200 free relays, both of which broke Division II records, and added a silver in the 100 free. Garcia then went on to the CIF State Meet the following weekend and placed second in the 50 and third in the 100 free.

Garcia swims for the club team SOCAL Aquatics. At the CA/NV Sectionals in March she showed her versatility by winning both the 100 fly (52.70) and 200 fly (1:56.64) in addition to being runner-up in the 200 IM (2:02.28) and 50 free, and third in the 100 free. At Winter Juniors West last December she was an A finalist in the 50/100 free and 100 fly.

Garcia follows Cassidy Bayer, who has also verbally committed to Cal.


https://swimswam.com/22-6-sprinter-elise-garcia-verbally-commits-cals-class-2022/


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[COLOR="#336699"][SIZE=5]Cal Secures Verbal Commitment from In-State Sprinter Elise Garcia[/SIZE][/COLOR]




https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/cal-secures-verbal-commitment-from-in-state-sprinter-elise-garcia/


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Colten Young: So proud of @elisegarcia_13 for committing to Cal today ������*♀️���� #berkeleybound



https://instagr.am/p/BUsul31jjDO


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Eva Merrell: SO EXTREMELY HAPPY FOR @elise_garcia13 congrats on committing to CAL ��⭐️ i love you




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HBear;842842449 said:

---

Again, not a fancy write-up, but just saw this posted on SwimSwam:

https://swimswam.com/22-6-sprinter-elise-garcia-verbally-commits-cals-class-2022/

Go Bears!! :cheer

---

:cheer:cheer I second this! Great start to the recruiting year for the women compared to last year! Go Bears!

This is the second recruit for 2018-2019. This class is shaping up to be excellent! GO BEARS!

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[COLOR="#006699"]Lots of info to take in. Many of the names we've discussed on the board are on the list.

Read the linked article for full details (couldn't include all the descriptions etc due to message size limitations here)...

Our 2 baby :bear: are ranked #5 (Cassidy) and #18 (Elise)!

:cheer
[/COLOR]

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[COLOR="#000080"][SIZE=5]TOP 20 NCAA SWIMMING RECRUITS IN THE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2018[/SIZE][/COLOR]


[SIZE=1]It's that time of year again where we at SwimSwam rank out the top 20 high school swimming prospects in the upcoming NCAA recruiting class. It's a butterfly-heavy class, and so fittingly, California flyer Eva Merrell is at the top of the list. Archive Photo via Mike Lewis/Ola Vista Photography[/SIZE]


[U]This Class[/U]
[INDENT]• Good depth
• Strong in butterfly – particularly 200 fly
• Less versatile IM types, more specialized swimmers
• A very long-course savvy group
• Lots of early commitments[/INDENT]

At first glance, this year’s class is probably a step up from last year’s group, though built in much the same way. It’s a deep class with better top-end talent than 2017, though no “can’t miss” swimmer like the run from the classes of 2013 to 2015. (2013 had Missy Franklin and Lia Neal, 2014 Simone Manuel and 2015 Katie Ledecky, Abbey Weitzeil and Kathleen Baker).


[U]TOP TIMES IN THE CLASS OF 2018[/U]
50 Free | Grace Ariola | 22.20
100 Free | Julia Cook | 48.44
200 Free | Morgan Tankersley | 1:44.31
500 Free | Morgan Tankersley | 4:37.60
1000 Free** | Erica Sullivan | 9:29.91
1650 Free | Erica Sullivan | 15:47.39
100 Back | Eva Merrell | 52.26
200 Back | Eva Merrell | 1:52.20
100 Breast | Zoe Bartel | 59.04
200 Breast | Zoe Bartel | 2:07.73
100 Fly | Eva Merrell | 51.93
200 Fly | Ruby Martin | 1:54.74
200 IM | Emma Muzzy | 1:57.84
400 IM | Vanessa Pearl | 4:06.73


1. Eva Merrell – Aquazot Swim Club – Crean Lutheran South High School – Newport Beach, CA
Best Times: 100 fly – 51.93, 200 back – 1:52.52, 200 fly – 1:56.96, 100 back – 52.26, 50 free – 22.26, 100 free – 48.51, 200 free – 1:45.89

2. Taylor Ruck – Scottsdale Aquatic Club – Chaparral High School – Scottsdale, AZ
Best Times: 200 free- 1:44.39, 100 free – 48.54, 50 free – 22.31, 500 free – 4:41.38, 100 back – 52.95, 200 back – 1:53.13, 200 IM – 1:57.97, 400 IM – 4:13.96

3. Zoe Bartel – Fort Collins Area Swim Team – Fossil Ridge High School – Fort Collins, CO
Best Times: 100 breast – 59.04, 200 breast – 2:07.73, 200 IM – 1:58.28

4. Morgan Tankersley – Greater Tampa Swimming Association – HB Plant High School – Tampa, FL
Best Times: 500 free – 4:37.60, 200 free – 1:44.31, 100 free – 48.69, 50 free – 22.60, 1650 free – 16:27.61


5. [COLOR="#DAA520"]Cassidy Bayer[/COLOR] – Nation’s Capital Swim Club – West Potomac High School – Washington, DC [COLOR="#DAA520"]**Verbally committed to Cal**[/COLOR]
Best Times: 200 fly – 1:55.20, 100 fly – 52.78, 200 IM – 1:58.21, 400 IM – 4:12.72, 50 free – 22.98

Bayer is probably the best long course swimmer on this entire list: 58.1 and 2:07.9 in the butterflys are no joke. She’s not as good in the short course pool, but if she put a premium on meters to prepare for Olympic Trials, there’s a good chance her yards times catch up in the next year or so. If that happens, she’ll be the ‘get’ of this class. Her 200 fly is an NCAA scoring time and her 100 is close. She’s also got very solid IMs and has a pretty good 50 free for someone who specializes in the 200 fly.


6. Vanessa Pearl – Metroplex Aquatics – McKinney Boyd High School – Allen, TX
Best Times: 400 IM – 4:06.73, 200 breast – 2:08.51, 100 breast – 1:00.32, 200 IM – 1:58.13

7. Gabrielle Kopenski – Texas Ford Aquatics – Prosper High School – McKinney, TX
Best Times: 500 free – 4:37.95, 1650 free – 15:56.39, 200 free – 1:46.80, 400 IM – 4:09.92

8. Erica Sullivan – Sandpipers of Nevada – Palo Verde High School – Las Vegas, NV
Best Times: 1650 free – 15:47.39, 500 free – 4:39.66, 200 free – 1:47.43

9. Allie Raab – Nashville Aquatic Club – Brentwood Academy – Brentwood, TN
Best Times: 200 breast – 2:09.69, 100 breast – 1:00.02, 200 IM – 1:58.67

10. Julia Cook – Aggie Swim Club – Bryan High School – Bryan, TX **Verbally Committed To Texas**
Best Times: 50 free – 22.32, 100 free – 48.44, 200 free – 1:45.35, 100 back – 52.37, 200 back – 1:54.48, 200 IM – 1:58.77, 100 fly – 53.64

11. Dakota Luther – Austin Swim Club – Westlake High School – Austin, TX
Best Times: 200 fly – 1:55.07, 100 fly – 52.27, 200 free – 1:45.68, 100 free – 49.85

12. Olivia Carter – Enfinity Aquatic Club – homeschooled – Jamestown, NC **Verbally Committed To Georgia**
Best Times: 100 fly – 52.65, 200 fly – 1:55.78, 200 IM – 1:57.92, 400 IM – 4:15.84

13. Easop Lee – North Baltimore Aquatic Club – Pikesville High School – Baltimore, MD
Best Times: 200 free – 1:44.63, 500 free – 4:40.90, 200 fly – 1:56.55, 200 IM – 1:58.75, 400 IM – 4:15.55, 100 free – 50.19

14. Emma Muzzy – Virginia Gators – Cave Spring High School – Roanoke, VA
Best Times: 200 back – 1:53.38, 100 back – 52.65, 400 IM – 4:08.37, 200 IM – 1:57.84

15. Amalie Fackenthal – DART Swimming – Sacramento Country Day High School – Carmichael, CA
Best Times: 50 free – 22.38, 100 free – 48.62, 100 fly – 52.78

16. Lucie Nordmann – Magnolia Aquatic Club – The Woodlands High School – The Woodlands, TX
Best Times: 100 back – 52.48, 200 back – 1:54.08, 50 free – 22.68, 100 free – 48.85

17. Grace Ariola – Bloomington Waves/Normal Y Swim Team – Normal Community High School – Bloomington, IL **Verbally Committed to Texas**
Best Times: 50 free – 22.20, 100 free – 48.98, 200 free – 1:47.46, 200 back – 1:54.60, 100 back – 53.04


18. [COLOR="#DAA520"]Elise Garcia[/COLOR] – SoCal Aquatics – Crean Lutheran South High School – Irvine, CA [COLOR="#DAA520"]**Verbally committed to Cal**[/COLOR]
Best Times: 100 fly – 52.70, 200 fly – 1:56.64, 50 free – 22.64, 100 free – 49.52

Yet another good flyer in a class flush with 52/1:56 types. Garcia rises above that group with relay value in the 50 free and a really rapidly-improving 200: she dropped a second and a half off her best in December, then another 1.5 seconds in March.


19. Samantha Shelton – Mission Viejo Nadadores – Santa Margarita High School – Laguna Beach, CA
Best Times: 200 free – 1:44.95, 100 free – 49.11, 50 free – 22.87, 100 back – 53.04

20. Sarah Grinalds – Westport/Weston Family Y – Fairfield Ludlowe High School – Southport, CT
Best Times: 50 free – 22.72, 100 free – 48.85, 200 free – 1:45.51


[U]HONORABLE MENTIONS[/U]:

• Ruby Martin (Iowa Flyers / West High School / Coralville, IA)

• Madison Homovich (Marlins of Raleigh / Woods Charter School / Pittsboro, NC) **Verbally committed to Georgia**

• Alex Sumner (Suburban Seahawks / East Alleghany High School / Swarthmore, PA)



https://swimswam.com/top-20-ncaa-swimming-recruits-girls-high-school-class-2018/


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UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842842718 said:

---

-----


[COLOR="#006699"]Lots of info to take in. Many of the names we've discussed on the board are on the list.

Read the linked article for full details (couldn't include all the descriptions etc due to message size limitations here)...

Our 2 baby :bear: are ranked #5 (Cassidy) and #18 (Elise)!

:cheer
[/COLOR]

--------


[COLOR="#000080"][SIZE=5]TOP 20 NCAA SWIMMING RECRUITS IN THE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2018[/SIZE][/COLOR]


[SIZE=1]It's that time of year again where we at SwimSwam rank out the top 20 high school swimming prospects in the upcoming NCAA recruiting class. It's a butterfly-heavy class, and so fittingly, California flyer Eva Merrell is at the top of the list. Archive Photo via Mike Lewis/Ola Vista Photography[/SIZE]


[U]This Class[/U]
[INDENT] Good depth
Strong in butterfly particularly 200 fly
Less versatile IM types, more specialized swimmers
A very long-course savvy group
Lots of early commitments[/INDENT]

At first glance, this year's class is probably a step up from last year's group, though built in much the same way. It's a deep class with better top-end talent than 2017, though no "can't miss" swimmer like the run from the classes of 2013 to 2015. (2013 had Missy Franklin and Lia Neal, 2014 Simone Manuel and 2015 Katie Ledecky, Abbey Weitzeil and Kathleen Baker).


[U]TOP TIMES IN THE CLASS OF 2018[/U]
50 Free | Grace Ariola | 22.20
100 Free | Julia Cook | 48.44
200 Free | Morgan Tankersley | 1:44.31
500 Free | Morgan Tankersley | 4:37.60
1000 Free** | Erica Sullivan | 9:29.91
1650 Free | Erica Sullivan | 15:47.39
100 Back | Eva Merrell | 52.26
200 Back | Eva Merrell | 1:52.20
100 Breast | Zoe Bartel | 59.04
200 Breast | Zoe Bartel | 2:07.73
100 Fly | Eva Merrell | 51.93
200 Fly | Ruby Martin | 1:54.74
200 IM | Emma Muzzy | 1:57.84
400 IM | Vanessa Pearl | 4:06.73


1. Eva Merrell Aquazot Swim Club Crean Lutheran South High School Newport Beach, CA
Best Times: 100 fly 51.93, 200 back 1:52.52, 200 fly 1:56.96, 100 back 52.26, 50 free 22.26, 100 free 48.51, 200 free 1:45.89

2. Taylor Ruck Scottsdale Aquatic Club Chaparral High School Scottsdale, AZ
Best Times: 200 free- 1:44.39, 100 free 48.54, 50 free 22.31, 500 free 4:41.38, 100 back 52.95, 200 back 1:53.13, 200 IM 1:57.97, 400 IM 4:13.96

3. Zoe Bartel Fort Collins Area Swim Team Fossil Ridge High School Fort Collins, CO
Best Times: 100 breast 59.04, 200 breast 2:07.73, 200 IM 1:58.28

4. Morgan Tankersley Greater Tampa Swimming Association HB Plant High School Tampa, FL
Best Times: 500 free 4:37.60, 200 free 1:44.31, 100 free 48.69, 50 free 22.60, 1650 free 16:27.61


5. [COLOR="#DAA520"]Cassidy Bayer[/COLOR] Nation's Capital Swim Club West Potomac High School Washington, DC [COLOR="#DAA520"]**Verbally committed to Cal**[/COLOR]
Best Times: 200 fly 1:55.20, 100 fly 52.78, 200 IM 1:58.21, 400 IM 4:12.72, 50 free 22.98

Bayer is probably the best long course swimmer on this entire list: 58.1 and 2:07.9 in the butterflys are no joke. She's not as good in the short course pool, but if she put a premium on meters to prepare for Olympic Trials, there's a good chance her yards times catch up in the next year or so. If that happens, she'll be the 'get' of this class. Her 200 fly is an NCAA scoring time and her 100 is close. She's also got very solid IMs and has a pretty good 50 free for someone who specializes in the 200 fly.


6. Vanessa Pearl Metroplex Aquatics McKinney Boyd High School Allen, TX
Best Times: 400 IM 4:06.73, 200 breast 2:08.51, 100 breast 1:00.32, 200 IM 1:58.13

7. Gabrielle Kopenski Texas Ford Aquatics Prosper High School McKinney, TX
Best Times: 500 free 4:37.95, 1650 free 15:56.39, 200 free 1:46.80, 400 IM 4:09.92

8. Erica Sullivan Sandpipers of Nevada Palo Verde High School Las Vegas, NV
Best Times: 1650 free 15:47.39, 500 free 4:39.66, 200 free 1:47.43

9. Allie Raab Nashville Aquatic Club Brentwood Academy Brentwood, TN
Best Times: 200 breast 2:09.69, 100 breast 1:00.02, 200 IM 1:58.67

10. Julia Cook Aggie Swim Club Bryan High School Bryan, TX **Verbally Committed To Texas**
Best Times: 50 free 22.32, 100 free 48.44, 200 free 1:45.35, 100 back 52.37, 200 back 1:54.48, 200 IM 1:58.77, 100 fly 53.64

11. Dakota Luther Austin Swim Club Westlake High School Austin, TX
Best Times: 200 fly 1:55.07, 100 fly 52.27, 200 free 1:45.68, 100 free 49.85

12. Olivia Carter Enfinity Aquatic Club homeschooled Jamestown, NC **Verbally Committed To Georgia**
Best Times: 100 fly 52.65, 200 fly 1:55.78, 200 IM 1:57.92, 400 IM 4:15.84

13. Easop Lee North Baltimore Aquatic Club Pikesville High School Baltimore, MD
Best Times: 200 free 1:44.63, 500 free 4:40.90, 200 fly 1:56.55, 200 IM 1:58.75, 400 IM 4:15.55, 100 free 50.19

14. Emma Muzzy Virginia Gators Cave Spring High School Roanoke, VA
Best Times: 200 back 1:53.38, 100 back 52.65, 400 IM 4:08.37, 200 IM 1:57.84

15. Amalie Fackenthal DART Swimming Sacramento Country Day High School Carmichael, CA
Best Times: 50 free 22.38, 100 free 48.62, 100 fly 52.78

16. Lucie Nordmann Magnolia Aquatic Club The Woodlands High School The Woodlands, TX
Best Times: 100 back 52.48, 200 back 1:54.08, 50 free 22.68, 100 free 48.85

17. Grace Ariola Bloomington Waves/Normal Y Swim Team Normal Community High School Bloomington, IL **Verbally Committed to Texas**
Best Times: 50 free 22.20, 100 free 48.98, 200 free 1:47.46, 200 back 1:54.60, 100 back 53.04


18. [COLOR="#DAA520"]Elise Garcia[/COLOR] SoCal Aquatics Crean Lutheran South High School Irvine, CA [COLOR="#DAA520"]**Verbally committed to Cal**[/COLOR]
Best Times: 100 fly 52.70, 200 fly 1:56.64, 50 free 22.64, 100 free 49.52

Yet another good flyer in a class flush with 52/1:56 types. Garcia rises above that group with relay value in the 50 free and a really rapidly-improving 200: she dropped a second and a half off her best in December, then another 1.5 seconds in March.


19. Samantha Shelton Mission Viejo Nadadores Santa Margarita High School Laguna Beach, CA
Best Times: 200 free 1:44.95, 100 free 49.11, 50 free 22.87, 100 back 53.04

20. Sarah Grinalds Westport/Weston Family Y Fairfield Ludlowe High School Southport, CT
Best Times: 50 free 22.72, 100 free 48.85, 200 free 1:45.51


[U]HONORABLE MENTIONS[/U]:

Ruby Martin (Iowa Flyers / West High School / Coralville, IA)

Madison Homovich (Marlins of Raleigh / Woods Charter School / Pittsboro, NC) **Verbally committed to Georgia**

Alex Sumner (Suburban Seahawks / East Alleghany High School / Swarthmore, PA)



https://swimswam.com/top-20-ncaa-swimming-recruits-girls-high-school-class-2018/


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First of all, this is the earliest this list has ever been released. I guess with all the early commits, swimswam felt compelled to release it early or not be pertinent to the recruiting season. Looking at the rankings, several of the middle distance and long distance swimmers are ranked much too high, and a couple of the backstrokers, Nordmann and Ariola, are ranked much too low. Also, Amalie Fackenthal is way too low. As a sprinter, she has more upside potential than a lot of the swimmers ranked above her. If MSH was available for this list, she would be ranked number 2. Agree that this class is very deep.

UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842842718 said:

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[COLOR="#000080"][SIZE=5]TOP 20 NCAA SWIMMING RECRUITS IN THE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2018[/SIZE][/COLOR]


6. Vanessa Pearl Metroplex Aquatics McKinney Boyd High School Allen, TX
Best Times: 400 IM 4:06.73, 200 breast 2:08.51, 100 breast 1:00.32, 200 IM 1:58.13

Pearl is the best 400 IMer in the class, which always counts for a lot. College coaches love versatility and toughness, and the 400 IM requires both. Pearl's best 400 IM time would have almost cracked the NCAA A final last year and she's also got a scoring time in the 200 breast. In the NCAA lineup, the 200 IM probably fits better than the 100 breast as a tertiary event. She's not a huge relay value, though a sub-minute breaststroke split could be an upgrade for some programs.


https://swimswam.com/top-20-ncaa-swimming-recruits-girls-high-school-class-2018/

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Vanessa Pearl: Extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim for the University of Florida! Go Gators! ������

[COLOR="#006699"]
College Swimming's current [U]Top 20[/U] (below) looks quite different as usual when compared to SwimSwam's. Had taken the liberty to fill in several Uni commitments that aren't on the CS database as yet.

I actually went all the way down to the 50th ranked recruit here, since imo CS' machine-algorithm methodology and their reliance on self-reporting has a tendency to undervalue a number of promising recruits... On the plus side, they do report some Internationals who have indicated an interest in competing in the NCAA.

Note that prospects who have received mentions on the board, and on the older "[U]2015/2016/2017 women's swimming recruits[/U]" threads, have their names underlined.
[/COLOR]
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[SIZE=3]Recruit Rankings[/SIZE]

[U]Rank | Name | Commitment | Hometown | Power Index[/U]

#1 | [U]Taylor Ruck[/U] | – | Scottsdale, AZ | 1.00
#1 | [U]Eva Merrell[/U] | – | Newport Beach, CA | 1.00
#1 | [U]Julia Cook[/U] | [U]University of Texas[/U] | Bryan, TX | 1.00
#4 | [U]Mary-Sophie HARVEY[/U] | – | Montreal, QC | 1.13
#5 | [U]Emma Muzzy[/U] | – | Roanoke, VA | 1.17
#6 | [U]Grace Ariola[/U] | [U]University of Texas[/U] | Bloomington, IL | 1.19
#7 | Vanessa Pearl | [U]University of Florida[/U] | McKinney, TX | 1.21
#8 | [U]Morgan Tankersley[/U] | – | Tampa, FL | 1.27
#9 | [U]Lucie Nordmann[/U] | – | The Woodlands, TX | 1.29
10 | [U]Amalie Fackenthal[/U] | – | Carmichael, CA | 1.31
11 | Gabrielle Kopenski | – | mckinney , TX | 1.37
12 | [U]Dakota Luther[/U] | – | Austin, TX | 1.38
12 | [U]Olivia Carter[/U] | [U]University of Georgia[/U] | Jamestown, NC | 1.38
14 | [COLOR="#DAA520"][U]Cassidy Bayer[/U][/COLOR] | [U][COLOR="#000066"]University of California-Berkeley[/COLOR][/U] | Washington, DC | 1.47
15 | [U]Zoe Bartel[/U] | – | Fort Collins, CO | 1.50
16 | [U]Easop Lee[/U] | – | Baltimore, MD | 1.51
17 | [U]Samantha Shelton[/U] | – | Laguna Beach, CA | 1.65
17 | Julia Menkhaus | – | Fort Mill, SC | 1.65
19 | [U]Allie Raab[/U] | – | Brentwood, TN | 1.70
20 | Sarah Grinalds | – | Southport, CT | 1.72
21 | [COLOR="#DAA520"][U]Elise Garcia[/U][/COLOR] | [U][COLOR="#000066"]University of California-Berkeley[/COLOR][/U] | Irvine, CA | 1.75
22 | [U]Erica Sullivan[/U] | – | Las Vegas, NV | 1.78
23 | [U]Sophie Hansson[/U] | – | – | 1.86
24 | [U]Madison Homovich[/U] | [U]University of Georgia[/U] | Pittsboro, NC | 1.90
25 | [U]Ruby Martin[/U] | – | Coralville, IA | 2.00
26 | Layla Black | [U]University of Florida[/U] | – | 2.39
27 | Rhyan White | – | Herriman, UT | 2.66
28 | Bayley Stewart | – | Fort Collins, CO | 2.68
29 | [U]Alex Sumner[/U] | – | Swarthmore, PA | 2.71
30 | Holly Jansen | – | Arlington, VA | 2.76
31 | Christin Rockway | – | Valrico, FL | 2.99
32 | [U]Halladay Kinsey[/U] | – | Folsom, CA | 3.12
33 | Jessie Nava | – | Sea Ranch Lakes, FL | 3.32
34 | Julia Bruneau | [U]Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech)[/U] | – | 3.42
35 | [U]Anya Goeders[/U] | – | Lowell, IN | 3.43
36 | Kylie Powers | – | Houston, TX | 3.46
36 | [U]Grace Countie[/U] | [U]University of North Carolina[/U] | Raleigh, NC | 3.46
38 | Kylee Alons | [U]North Carolina State University[/U] | Timnath, CO | 3.49
39 | [U]Ema Rajic[/U] | – | Urbana, IL | 3.62
40 | Miriam Guevara | – | El Paso, TX | 4.09
41 | Melissa Pish | [U]Duke University[/U] | Bloomington, IL | 4.16
42 | Cathy Teng | – | Santa Clara, CA | 4.21
43 | Claire Grover | – | Scottsdale, AZ | 4.24
44 | Trude Rothrock | – | Carmel, IN | 4.57
45 | Tonner DeBeer | – | Louisville, KY | 4.59
46 | [U]Mikki Thompson[/U] | – | Chino Hills, CA | 4.66
47 | [U]Sinead Eksteen[/U] | [U]University of Notre Dame[/U] | Vienna, VA | 4.79
48 | Morgan Scott | – | Perkasie , PA | 4.85
49 | [U]Izzi Henig[/U] | – | Atherton, CA | 4.86
50 | Olivia Paoletti | – | Lincoln University , PA | 4.99


https://www.collegeswimming.com/recruiting/rankings/2018/F/


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UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842842718 said:

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[COLOR="#000080"][SIZE=5]TOP 20 NCAA SWIMMING RECRUITS IN THE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2018[/SIZE][/COLOR]

11. Dakota Luther Austin Swim Club Westlake High School Austin, TX
Best Times: 200 fly 1:55.07, 100 fly 52.27, 200 free 1:45.68, 100 free 49.85

https://swimswam.com/top-20-ncaa-swimming-recruits-girls-high-school-class-2018/

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Dakota Luther: I am thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to swim & study at the University of Georgia!! I would like to thank my loving family for being by my side every step of the way. I can't wait to begin my journey at UGA. Go DAWGS!!! ����

UrsusArctosCalifornicus;842842718 said:

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[COLOR="#000080"][SIZE=5]TOP 20 NCAA SWIMMING RECRUITS IN THE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2018[/SIZE][/COLOR]


14. Emma Muzzy Virginia Gators Cave Spring High School Roanoke, VA
Best Times: 200 back 1:53.38, 100 back 52.65, 400 IM 4:08.37, 200 IM 1:57.84

This feels low for the class's best 200 IMer, but Muzzy is a victim of the NCAA's surge in backstroke and IM, her two best event disciplines. Still, she's one of the top prospects in her class in both, and her versatility has to be a big draw for a number of college coaches. She's also proven to be a good relay swimmer, breaking a couple NAG relay records with the Virginia Gators.


https://swimswam.com/top-20-ncaa-swimming-recruits-girls-high-school-class-2018/

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Emma Muzzy: I am very excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim for NC State!! ❤️�� #gopack