Nice get and from the Furd's backyard too!

Recapping that's 8 for 2019.Missing any? Size wise seems about right, though it would be nice to have a couple of divers, especially with our best diver Phoebe LaMay will graduate after this year. Anyone can summarize the strength & weakness of this class?


Isabel Ivey
Chloe Clark
Rachel Klinker
Ashlyn Fiorilli
Sarah Dimeco
Danielle Carter
Anna Kalandadze
Emma Davidson

OBear073akaSMFan said:

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Nice get and from the Furd's backyard too!

Recapping that's 8 for 2019.Missing any? Size wise seems about right, though it would be nice to have a couple of divers, especially with our best diver Phoebe LaMay will graduate after this year. Anyone can summarize the strength & weakness of this class?

Isabel Ivey
Chloe Clark
Rachel Klinker
Ashlyn Fiorilli
Sarah Dimeco
Danielle Carter
Anna Kalandadze
Emma Davidson

---

Looking at the class right now, it's very solid and mostly covered in all disciplines/distances. Fly (Ashlyn/Rachel), distance (Anna, Rachel, Sarah, Ashlyn), and sprints/mid-distance (Isabel, Danielle, Chloe and Emma) tend to be our strongest suits. IM group should also be no problem with Izzy, Chloe, and our distance swimmers who are also very talented in the IM.

Chloe and Izzy are also very well-rounded, having enough versatility to be able to swim anything.

Emma and Danielle have lots of upside, not to mention our distance swimmers who hopefully will be able to keep on with their rapid progression curves.

Backstroke (Chloe, Danielle) and breaststroke (Izzy, Emma) are relatively thin in this class, but with the amount of depth on the team when this class enters, along with the plethora of recruits to choose from in 2020, that shouldn't be too big of a problem.

No matter which recruits LSJU gets for this cycle, I still think our class should top theirs by a wide margin.

Part 1 of 2 (length of original post exceeded board limit!)

• UPDATE => Added mugshots + embedded links to CS stats + to commit writeups from SwimSwam

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Sorry for the late response to OBear's question (been offline & sort of focussing on non-swim related stuff as of late), but very appreciative of swimmer19's spot-on summary of the 2019 class - well done!

Reckon I'd take a rough stab at supplementing that excellent analysis by looking at some of our Baby Bears' more apparent strengths & versatility in the pool, in terms of their projected scoring potential in some individual events at the Championship level (relative to 2018 NCAAs or Pac-12s).

Rankings are per CollegeSwimming at the time of the recruit's verbal.

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• Isabel Ivey (#1 Nat, #1 FL)

Day 2 | 200 IM (1:55.77 -> 2018 NCAA B Final)
Day 3 | 200 Free (1:43.64 -> NCAA A Final)
Day 4 | 100 Free (47.88 -> NCAA B Final)

Alternative Events:
Day 2 | 50 Free (22.43 -> 2018 NCAA, #26 in prelim)
Day 3 | 100 Back (52.27 -> NCAA, #19 in prelims)
Day 3 | 100 Fly (52.61 -> NCAA, #27 in prelims)
Day 3 | 400 IM (4:12.08 -> NCAA, #30 in prelims)
Day 3 | 100 Breast (1:00.99 -> NCAA, #41 in prelims)
Day 4 | 200 Fly (1:56.48 -> NCAA, #27 in prelims)
Day 4 | 200 Breast (2:11.56 -> NCAA, #38 in prelims)

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• Chloe Clark (#20 Nat, #4 CA)

Day 2 | 200 IM (1:57.32 -> 2018 Pac12 B Final)
Day 3 | 100 Back (53.46 -> Pac12 B Final)
Day 4 | 200 Back (1:56.79 -> Pac12 B Final)

Alternative Events:
Day 2 | 50 Free (23.07 -> Pac12 C Final)
Day 3 | 400 IM (4:13.94 -> Pac12 B Final)
Day 3 | 100 Breast (1:02.68 -> Pac12 C Final)
Day 4 | 100 Free (49.27 -> Pac12 B Final)

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• Danielle Carter (#47 Nat, #6 CA)

Day 3 | 100 Fly (53.95 -> Pac12 B Final)
Day 3 | 100 Back (53.51 -> Pac12 B Final)
Day 4 | 200 Back (1:55.40 -> Pac12 B Final)

Alternative Events:
Day 2 | 200 IM (2:03.56 -> Pac12, #26 in prelims)
Day 4 | 200 Fly (2:00.79 -> Pac12 C Final)
Day 4 | 100 Free (50.71 -> Pac12, #27 in prelims)

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• Sarah DiMeco (#21 Nat, #1 WA)

Day 2 | 500 Free (4:44.26 -> Pac12 B Final)
Day 3 | 400 IM (4:15.83 -> Pac12 B Final)
Day 4 | 1650 Free (16:19.78 -> Pac12 Timed Final, #9)

Alternative Events:
Day 4 | 200 Fly (1:57.84 -> Pac12 B Final)

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• Ashlyn Fiorilli (#15 Nat, #2 TX)

Day 2 | 500 Free (4:49.92-> 2018 Pac12, #29 in prelims)
Day 3 | 400 IM (4:15.41 -> Pac12 B Final)
Day 4 | 200 Fly (1:57.23 -> Pac12 B Final)

Alternative Events:
Day 2 | 200 IM (2:02.88 -> Pac12, #25 in prelims)
Day 3 | 100 Fly (54.71 -> Pac12 C Final)
Day 4 | 1650 Free (16:23.48 -> Pac12 Timed Final, #12)

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• Rachel Klinker (#26 Nat, #1 KY)

Day 2 | 500 Free (4:46.73 -> 2018 Pac12 C Final)
Day 3 | 200 Free (1:46.05 -> Pac12 B Final)
Day 4 | 200 Fly (1:57.92 -> Pac12 B Final)

Alternative Events:
Day 3 | 100 Fly (54.18 -> Pac12 C Final)
Day 4 | 1650 Free (16:33.92 -> Pac12 Timed Final, #16)

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Part 2 of 2

• UPDATES => Added mugshots + embedded links to CS stats & to commit writeups from SwimSwam

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• Anna Kalandadze (#37 Nat, #1 PA)

Day 2 | 500 Free (4:46.25 -> 2018 Pac12 C Final)
Day 3 | 400 IM (4:27.55 -> Pac12, #29 in prelims)
Day 4 | 1650 Free (16:24.31 -> Pac12 Timed Final, #13)

Alternative Events:
Day 3 | 200 Free (1:50.42 -> Pac12, #38 in prelims)

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• Emma Davidson (#252 Nat, #32 CA)

Day 2 | 50 Free (23.27 -> 2018 Pac12, #30 in prelims)
Day 3 | 100 Breast (1:03.63 -> Pac12 C Final)
Day 4 | 100 Free (50.56 -> Pac12, #27 in prelims)

Alternative Events:
Day 4 | 200 Breast (2:21.04 -> Pac12, #32 in prelims)

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Should be pointed out that Izz's the only 2019 Baby Bear who has achieved an individual time projected to score at NCAAs (200 Free, 100 Free, 200 IM), along with the likelihood of making a contribution to our relays @ Nattys.

As soberly noted by BD, "need two or three four year scorers per class to credibly compete for NCAA titles".

To be fair though, I believe there are less than 8 or 9 recruits on SwimSwam's TOP 20 NCAA SWIMMING RECRUITS IN THE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2019 who currently holds a time that would have qualified for finals @ 2018 NCAAs...

Indeed, there's only ONE uncommitted recruit from that Top 20 list who has accomplished a time falling within scoring territory - Katharine Berkoff (aka KB3), whose 100 back & 200 Back bests would have placed in the B final @ 2018 NCAAs. KB3's rumoured to be an Ivies lean, though I'm sure the furdettes as well as a number of top swim programmes would love to snag the 2019 backstroke ace!

Remaining top level as-yet-to-commits are a pair of Top 20 in-state studs, who could be targeted by Greg down on the Farm - but even this duo don't yet have quite the speed yet to qualify for an NCAA invite, in spite of having impressively dropped considerable time in several of their events as recently as May - Ayla Spitz (50 Free @ CIF Section Champs, 100 Free & 200 Free @ Sunset League Champs), and Alexandra Crisera (100 back @ 2018 CIF Section Champs).

Well, trying not to look too far ahead lol, the amazing 2020 class of course also beckons in the guise of Alex Walsh, Regan Smith, Isabelle Stadden, Phoebe Bacon, Olivia Bray...

At any rate, back to the present hehe - our 2019 commits will have their forthcoming Senior year of competition to strive for further improving upon their HS lifetime bests, with several of them solid bets to earn that much sought-after invite to the big dance by their sophomore or junior year if not earlier, after some top class training at Cal.

Here's where they would have ranked on the 2018 NCAA Pre-Selection List with their current PBs (have only listed those falling in the top 100):

#50 @ 200 Fly ....... Ashlyn
#51 @ 200 IM .... Chloe
#51 @ 1650 Free ... Sarah
#62 @ 1650 Free ... Ashlyn
#64 @ 200 Fly ........ Sarah
#65 @ 200 Fly ........ Rachel
#66 @ 1650 Free .... Anna
#69 @ 200 Free ...... Rachel
#73 @ 200 Back ..... Danielle
#75 @ 400 IM ......... Chloe
#79 @ 500 Free ...... Sarah
#81 @ 100 Back ..... Chloe
#83 @ 100 Back ..... Danielle
#93 @ 400 IM ......... Ashlyn
#95 @ 100 Free ...... Chloe
#97 @ 400 IM ......... Sarah

... where #37 is the nominal NCAA cutoff line for invites.

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Will be interesting to see how Sarah, Ashlyn & Rachel develop in the mile & 200 Fly since these events fall on the same competition day (or which direction they will lean towards under Teri's guidance). Sarah & Ashlyn also seem to fit the 400 IM / 200 Fly / Distance mould of swimmers.

As for the 1000 Free which is typically only contested @ dual meets, Bears will for once be able to field a rather solid sub ten-minute cadre in Ashlyn (9:46.42), Sarah (9:46.65), Rachel (9:51.23) & Anna (9:53.60). For reference, Cal's #2 all-time best in this race = Chenoa (9:40.26). #7 Missy was 9:47.44.

Does appear that with this class, Bears will enjoy an unprecedented depth of talent in events where we haven't had much success with or representation in recent history - distance, longer IM & butterfly...well at least at the Conference & Dual meet level!

Goes without saying that the usual caveats & caution applies - this is no means a comprehensive or even accurate assessment of their likely events ... static snapshots of best times aren't always the most accurate indicators of predicted performance ... should really also take into account the overall context, such as progression history & improvement curve (take note of, for example, Danielle & Emma's significant time drops recently), performance consistency & timing, background & environment (Emma being a 2 sport student-athlete who had only started to train full-time since Jan 2017), injuries & other setbacks (Ashlyn's battle w/scoliosis), team needs, etc etc.

Go Bears!

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Ashlyn and Rachel will do the 200 Fly, and Sarah and Anna will do the 1650 in my opinion.

Thanks Swimmer19 and UAC for your long and informative response to my question. Good stuff! Really look forward to this & future swim seasons.

24 Talented Athletes Named To 2018 National Open Water Select Camp Roster

Twenty-four talented young distance swimmers were chosen from across the country to participate in USA Swimming's 2018 National Open Water Select Camp, slated for August 23-26 at the Pleasant Prairie RecPlex in Pleasant Prairie, Wisc.

The four-day camp, which boasts a roster of both 12 male and 12 female swimmers, will help these talented athletes learn strategies, Open Water technique, nutrition and recovery from a team of elite Open Water coaches. The camp is an integral step for any young swimmer as they move from the pool to Open Water swimming and then the international scene.

"The National Open Water Select Camp is an important stepping stone for young athletes as they look to take the next steps in their blooming Open Water swimming careers," said Mariejo Truex, USA Swimming's Program and Services Director. "In years past the camp has provided a solid foundation for the U.S.' best distance swimmers and we look forward to providing the same motivational and education experience for the next generation of distance swimmers."

John Payne (TAC Titans) will serve as the head coach for the camp, with Meredith Carroll (Brad Akins YMCA Barracudas), Joey Ferreri (Bearcat Aquatics) and John Flanagan (Kamehameha Swim Club) serving as the assistant coaches. Aaron Mahaney (University of Montevallo) will be the head manager, while Jon Bescher (New Wave Swim Team) and Katie Crider (New Trier Aquatics) will be the assistant managers.

In addition to a group of top-tier coaches, U.S. National Team members David Heron, Emily (Brunemann) Klueh and Ashley Twichell will help instruct the athletes in attendance. Both Klueh and Twichell are alumni of the camp having been selected in 2009 and 2011, respectively.

For more information on the National Open Water Select Camp and the selection process, please click HERE. To follow along with all the action of the camp, follow the hashtag #NOWS18 on all social media platforms.

Women's Roster:
Rachel Klinker (Lexington Dolphins)

Congrats to Team Captain Izzy @ Jr Pan Pacs!

• UPDATE =>

https://instagr.am/p/BmuCmPGhUM6

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Team USA - 2018 Jr Pan Pacs squad

https://instagr.am/p/BmyKcNEDHgO


=> Izzy leading the team cheering

https://instagr.am/p/Bmxp1Kdh-4F


For more of the board conversation on Jr Pan Pacs where competition commences this afternoon for North American time zones, starring our own 2019 Baby Bear Isabel Ivey + promising prospects like Alex & Gretchen Walsh, Isabelle Stadden, Phoebe Bacon, KB3 (Harvard lean?), Maxine Parker, Claire Tuggle, Mariah Denigan, Emma Weyant, Anicka Delgado (repping Ecuador), Lola Mull, Lillie Nordmann + Gianluca Urlando on the men's side, head this way:
https://bearinsider.com/forums/5/topics/79312/replies/1500901


---------

• UPDATE => (copied from the aforementioned topic)

On the run so 'fraid this isn't going to be one of those super duper recaps in the bearz012 mode lol - just wanted to congratulate 2019 Baby Bear Izzy Ivey on her pivotal role in helping Team USA to smash the Jr Pan Pacs record in the Women's 4 x 200m Free Relay !

Izz had wiped out the Americans' half sec deficit, pulling her country into the lead at the conclusion of her 2nd leg in a hard-fought & close battle with the Oz team all the way until the last leg. Old meet record courtesy of a team in the supersuit era comprising of Bear alum Cat Breed and former furdette Andie Taylor...

Izzie had earlier on in the session won the 100m Free 'B' final, with top seed Alex Walsh (2020 recruit) claiming the runner-up spot.


Another quick update:

• Izzy on the podium with her *bronze* in the W 100m Fly. Only American to dip below the minute barrier at this meet.
• Our Baby Bear picks up her 2nd Jr Pan Pacs *gold* in the W 4 x 100m Free Relay to end the evening session! 1 Bear + 2 potential Bears (Walsh siblings) + 1 furdette (Nordmann) on that relay for Team USA...just sayin' haha

Izzie's in the centre of the relay team photo below:
https://instagr.am/p/Bm7AoCmBFp8

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Official visits have started, with Auburn, Mizzou (on the guys side) and Notre Dame kicking us off...

https://instagr.am/p/BnAL__NAV_m
Addie Rose Bullock (#38 Nat, #1 GA) & Aly Tetzloff (AU' 19)



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Averee: "I'm super excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at Auburn University!! I'm so so grateful for the opportunity to be apart of such a great program. Thank you to everyone who helped me with this decision. War eagle!!

https://instagr.am/p/BnRszJ_AseA
CS ranking as of verbal: #98 Nat, #14 CA

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https://instagr.am/p/BnNgHBYFSF1
Coleen Gillilan (2019 ND), Rachel Wittmer (ND '21)

Addie Rose Bullock (#38 Nat, #1 GA), who had visited Auburn this past weekend, now visiting University of North Carolina:

https://instagr.am/p/BnST6XMhokA

Official visits also in progress at Bloomington.

No surprises from the photo below as the quintet are all known 2019 commits to the Hoosiers:


Grace Pangburn (#328 Nat, #9 IN), Carla Gildersleeve (#83 Nat, #3 IN), Emily Weiss (#15 Nat, #2 IN), Ashley Turak (#50 Nat, #1 MI), Ryley Ober (#68 Nat, #9 FL)

Well, massive apologies are in order for my previous dodgy post featuring that rather cringey splash of red...me eyes are still trying to recover from all of that lol

Anyway, looking ahead, reckon we'll get to catch a glimpse of our 2019 Baby Bears posing together with their future teammates sometime later this month?

Historically:

• Freshman Class of 2018 - 9 Sept 2017 v. Weber State (1st home game, W 33-20)
• Freshman Class of 2017 - 17 Sept 2016 v. Texas (1st home game, W 50-43)
• Freshman Class of 2016 - 12 Sept 2015 v. SDSU (2nd home game, W 35-7)
• Freshman Class of 2015 - 6 Sept 2014 v. Sac State (1st home game, W 55-14)

Am thinking that the main recruiting weekend for this season is likely going down on the 15th (2nd home game v. Idaho State) or possibly as late as the 29th (v. Oregon)?

Would be a mite surprised to see any major addition to our sizeable 8 talented commits for the freshie class of 2019, but you'd never know... hey, perhaps a diver...

Since Indiana's already recruiting a couple of top 2020 prospects on the men's side this weekend, I wouldn't mind welcoming an official campus visit at our end from the likes of Alex Walsh, Isabelle Stadden, Regan Smith, Phoebe Bacon, Olivia Bray...

No surprises in Louisville...


Abby Hay (2019 Lville), Maddie Luther (2019 Lville), Christiana Regenauer (2019 Lville)

-----

South Carolina also had their official visit, with 2019 recruits & commits...


Back: Brett Champlin (2019 recruit), Luke Davis (2019 recruit), Tyler Babinec (2019 recruit), Thomas Hamlet (2019 recruit)
Front: Anne Tavierne (2019 USC), Emily Horomanski (2019 USC), Tegan Preston (2019 recruit), Janie Smith (2019 USC), Taylor Steele (2019 USC)


Olwyn Bartis (2019 commit), Emma Shuppert (2019 commit), Olivia Tighe (2019 recruit), Alex Bumpas (2019 commit), Elizabeth Fry (2019 recruit)

Texas A&M hosting their 2019 recruits this weekend, as well as 2020's Emma Sticklen (on the 2020 thread):



L-R: Emma Stephenson (2019 A&M), Sticklen (2020 recruit), and ?

UPDATE: Assuming the ? recruit is Ellie McLeod (#133 Nat, #6 TX), a local visitor for 2020.



L-R: Emma Carlton (2018 A&M), Caroline Theil (2018 A&M), Sticklen, and Kaloyan Bratanov (2018 A&M)

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

Auburn hosting more recruits in addition to last week:



L-R: Anna Julia Kutsch (2019 Auburn), Abby Koczo (2019 recruit)

Apparently quite a wave of recruiting trips are being hosted at various campuses throughout the nation this weekend.

Believe the Gators held theirs yesterday.

Also, here are the baby Sun Devils commits (ASU) for 2019:


Sandra Mesazaros (#358 Nat, #27 FL), Jade Foelske (#62 Nat, #2 GA), Katrina Marty (#42 Nat, #1 WI), Lindsay Looney (#23 Nat, #2 TX), Claire Nguyen (#121 Nat, #7 VA)

UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:

---

Apparently quite a wave of recruiting trips are being hosted at various campuses throughout the nation this weekend.

Believe the Gators held theirs yesterday.

---

Looks like a couple of 2020 prospects had visited Gainesville:

https://instagr.am/p/BnhcRzMHfon
Back row: Liz Watts (2017 Indian River State College => transfer to UF?), Anna Havens Rice (2020 - #52 Nat, #1 SC), Talia Bates (2019 - #29 Nat, #6 FL), Ria Malhotra (2019 - #461 Nat, #36 FL), Tylor Mathieu (2019 - #239 Nat, #4 CT), Chloe Grimme (2020 - #98 Nat, #5 FL)
Front row: Allie Piccirillo (2019 - #77 Nat, #2 KY), ??, Kathleen Golding (2019 - #18 Nat, #3 FL)


btw, both swimmer19 & beaz012 have unearthed a gaggle of social media clues as to which programme backstroke ace recruit Katharine Berkoff may be leaning towards - and, wow, it isn't an Ivy or even LSJU...but, ...NC State?!

Speaking of the furdettes, no 2019 verbals to the Farm on the women's side as yet, AFAIK....guess we may find out as soon as 6 Oct (Furd home game v. Utah)...

UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:

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reckon we'll get to catch a glimpse of our 2019 Baby Bears posing together with their future teammates sometime later this month?
Am thinking that the main recruiting weekend for this season is likely going down on the 15th (2nd home game v. Idaho State), or possibly as late as the 29th (v. Oregon)?

---

There's also the Gala on the 22nd - but the team's scheduled to be down @ San Luis Obispo for the Cal Poly Queen & King of the Pool that Friday.

FWIW, Izzy in wishing her bestie Cassidy a HBD today did drop a telltale mention of "see you soon" IMO, most indications do seem to point to this coming weekend (15 Sept) as the more likely date scheduled for hosting our 2019 (& 2020?) prospects on campus...

Speaking of Ivey, congrats are in order for her hard work in the classroom and in the pool, culminating in earning USA Swimming's Scholastic All-American status!
https://www.teamunify.com/NewsShow.jsp?&id=636188&team=szfllsc

Amongst Isabel's plethora of talent, perhaps we'll also get treated to our 2019 Baby Bear showing off her slick "Floss" moves on the pitch this Sat pre-game lol - after all she did wow everyone @ Jr Pan Pacs in Fiji last month with her impromptu but rather impressive Fortnite dance routines in the stands

Ayla Spitz --> Cal!!!



"I'm so excited to announce my commitment to swim and study at the University of California, Berkeley. Upon meeting the coaches and the team, I knew that this was the school for me! I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and I cannot wait to spend the next four years at Cal. GO BEARS!!!"

CS ranking as of verbal: #20 Nat, #2 CA

bearz012 said:

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Ayla Spitz --> Cal!!!

CS ranking as of verbal: #20 Nat, #2 CA

---

Wow, what a brill in-state get who will bring much-needed top depth to our 200/100 Free corps!!! (Not too shabby in the 200 IM & 100 Back either )

Really fab upside esp when one considers Ayla's recent progression curve...

Was originally fearing that Spitz might be a furdette lean - but heck, all is right once again in the multiverse as we now warmly embrace Ayla with a beary cheery welcome to Bear Territory!!!

A bit of background info & reminder on our latest 2019 Baby Bear, posted back in May of this year:

UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:

---

bearz012 said:

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Ayla Spitz (#23 Nat, #5 CA) - Irvine NovaAquatics
- solid backstroke (53/1:57), sub 2 minute 200 IM, solid 100/200 frees

---

Blueseventy Swim the the Week: Spitz Upping Recruit Standing With 1:45



It was just 11 days ago that we released our annual NCAA recruiting class rankings for the current crop of juniors. We ranked Newport Harbor's Ayla Spitz 20th.

11 days later, she made that rank irrelevant.

A 49.2/1:46.4 freestyler when we ranked her 20th, Spitz was more notable for a 1:58 IM and a 53.4 backstroke. But at the CIF Sunset League Championships, Spitz blasted a 1:45.44 in the 200 free to pair with a 48.88 in the 100 free, which should launch her well above 20th in the current recruiting landscape.

Comparing to the rest of the high school Class of 2019, Spitz's free times alone now put her in line with #7 Alexandra Crisera (22.4/48.8/1:47.0) and #10 Kelly Pash (22.7/48.5/1:45.2), though she doesn't yet have the 50 (23.19) to match them. (And, of course, the rankings do still take into account versatility, other time drops and relay value, which is why Crisera and Pash's 50s weigh so heavily).

If Spitz is continuing her high school season into California's section and state meets, she could lower those times further, or swap events and look to better her solid IM and backstroke times. Either way, Spitz is on the rise at just the right time to climb up the recruiting lists of NCAA coaches.

---

Congrats to the following 2018 & 2019 Baby Bears named to the Nat Jr Team today!

Isabel Ivey (100 Free, 200 Free, 100 Fly)
Cassidy Bayer (200 Fly)
Ashlyn Fiorilli (200 Fly)

Not to forget, on the men's side:

Reece Whitley (100 Breast, 200 Breast)
Jason Louser (400 IM)


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2018-19 National Junior Team Selected By USA Swimming

Following world-class performances in 2018, 67 up-and-coming swimmers were named today to the 2018-19 USA Swimming National Junior Team.

"This group of National Junior Team honorees, plus the 21 high schoolers who qualified for the 2018-19 National Team, is a testament to the incredible dedication and work being done at the club level around the United States," USA Swimming National Junior Team Director Mitch Dalton said. "With two years to go until the 2020 Olympic Games, USA Swimming and its supporters can be very excited about the depth and talent within the junior ranks."

The complete National Junior Team roster can be found online here.

National Junior Team members must be age 18 or under on Sept. 1, 2018.


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bearz012 said:

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Ayla Spitz --> Cal!!!



"I'm so excited to announce my commitment to swim and study at the University of California, Berkeley. Upon meeting the coaches and the team, I knew that this was the school for me! I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and I cannot wait to spend the next four years at Cal. GO BEARS!!!"

CS ranking as of verbal: #20 Nat, #2 CA

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Any relation to Mark Spitz?

juarezbear said:

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Any relation to Mark Spitz?

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• Not according to this from the 1st writeup following: "No, they're not related to Mark Spitz, the nine-time Olympic swimming gold medalist. But they swim fast enough to make you think that they could be."
• btw, really liking what I'm reading from these articles below re Ayla - heck I'm sure Bears will always have room for Zoe (#362 Nat, #41 CA) if she ever wanted to join her twinnie @ Cal :p

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Athlete of the Week: Spitz twins take off for Sailors

By MATT SZABO | MAY 07, 2016

"They are identical twins, but there are a few ways to tell Newport Harbor High freshmen Ayla and Zoe Spitz apart.

Zoe is about an inch taller, and her hair is shorter. And when you talk to them, their personalities shine through, though those personalities are an area of contention for the sisters.

Another similarity is that they are straight-A students at Newport Harbor, though they share just one class this year, second-period math with Mr. Dominguez.

The math on the sisters' swim times? Just know that they are fast. Even as freshmen, they're the foundation for a promising young Sailors squad."

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Daily Pilot High School Female Athlete of the Week: Ayla Spitz helps Newport Harbor make waves in Sunset League

By MATT SZABO | APR 07, 2018



She holds the school record in half of the eight individual events: the 50 freestyle, 100 free, backstroke and breaststroke. Ayla and Zoe Spitz, along with Stevens and Skibby, hold the school 200 medley relay record. The Spitz sisters, Stevens and Yasko also have both of the freestyle relay records.

Ayla Spitz, the defending league champion in the backstroke and 100 freestyle, is also the defending CIF Southern Section Division 1 champion in the latter event. Her skills are such that her Irvine Novaquatics club coach, Adam Crossen, called her the most versatile girls' swimmer he's coached in 15 years with the program.

"She's willing to do whatever to help the team win," Crossen said. "She's the stabilizing rock. She's becoming more vocal, but I think the main thing is that she leads by example. She's the total package."

Spitz realizes that high school swimming isn't always about achieving a time. Sometimes, it's about helping the team win. When asked about any individual goals she has this season, she chose to the turn the attention to her teammates.

"The most important part of high school swimming is just to have fun and bring up the rest of the team," she said.

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Sailors' amazing Ayla

By MATT SZABO | MAY 12, 2017



Ayla Spitz had not really heard of Cindy Tran before last week's Sunset League swimming finals.

But Tran, the former Edison High star who went on to become a two-time NCAA champion in the backstroke at Cal, has one of those names that means something in Orange County high school swimming.

More precisely, when a record of someone like Tran gets broken, people take notice. And that's what Spitz did on May 5 at Golden West College. The Newport Harbor sophomore swam a lifetime-best time of 54.16 seconds to win the 100-yard backstroke, breaking Tran's 2008 meet record in the event by more than a second.

In the 100 freestyle, Spitz was no less impressive, also winning that event at Sunset League in another lifetime-best time of 49.64. That time ranked sixth in Orange County history. And she anchored two impressive relays. The Newport Harbor 200 medley relay team of Ayla, her twin sister Zoe, Kili Skibby and Dinny Stevens touched in another meet-record time of 1:45.76, lowering their own school record.

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bearz012 said:

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https://instagr.am/p/BnAL__NAV_m
L-R: Addie Rose Bullock (#38 Nat, #1 GA) & Aly Tetzloff (AU' 19)

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swimmer19 said:

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Addie Rose Bullock (#38 Nat, #1 GA), who had visited Auburn this past weekend, now visiting University of North Carolina:

https://instagr.am/p/BnST6XMhokA

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Bullock making her rounds, now to Harvard (two official visits left), with top 10 recruit Alexandra Crisera:


Back: ??, Addie Rose Bullock (2019 recruit)
Front: Kira Crage (2019 recruit), Alexandra Crisera (2019 recruit)


Back: Darlene Fung (2019 recruit), Athena Ye (2019 Harvard)
Front: Felicia Pasadyn (2019 Harvard), Kate Hazlett (2019 Harvard)

Other uncommitted recruits hosted: Natalie Whalen (#99 Nat, #7 TX), Olivia Jubin (#144 Nat, #8 VA), Sasha Liu (#271 Nat, #31 CA)

bearz012 said:

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Bullock making her rounds, now to Harvard (two official visits left), with top 10 recruit Alexandra Crisera

---

Just idly thinking that the Harvard Crimson would be a brill fit for smart + talented Alex C (#21 Nat, #3 CA):

1) Top notch academics
2) Gets to join fellow SoCal swimming powerhouses Sam Shelton & Mikki Thompson who are poised to spearhead their team's charge to the top of the Ivy League this season
3) Refreshing change of scenery from the West Coast

A much smarter choice than, say, LSJU... *winks*

bearz012 said:

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Ayla Spitz --> Cal!!!
CS ranking as of verbal: #20 Nat, #2 CA

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• Reported by SW today (tho they forgot to include Chloe, Sarah & Ashlyn in their list of 2019 Baby Bear commits, hmmm):

Cal Golden Bears Get Verbal Commitment From Ayla Spitz



NEW COMMIT: Newport Beach, Calif. native Ayla Spitz has announced her verbal commitment to the University of California Berkeley beginning in the fall of 2019. She will join Danielle Carter, Emma Davidson, Anna Kalandadze, Isabel Ivey and Rachel Klinker as members of the class of 2023.

Spitz does her club swimming with Irvine Novaquatics and is a seven-time U.S. Open qualifier. She concluded her long course season at Junior Nationals where she finished fourth in both the 100m free (56.43) and 200m free (2:01.76) after recording a best time in the 100m back (1:02.53) at Nationals a week prior. At Speedo Juniors East in December, she was a four-time finalist and notched five lifetime bests. Spitz was also the 100 back (53.54) champion at the Carlsbad Speedo Sectionals.

Representing Newport Harbor High School, she won the 500 free (4:45.91) and was the runner-up in the 200 free (1:45.56) at the CIF Southern DI Section Championships as a junior. During her sophomore year, she placed second in the 100 free (49.77) and fourth in the 100 back (55.39). She has also earned NISCA and USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors.

She told Swimming World:

Quote:

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"I'm so excited to announce my commitment to swim and study at the University of California, Berkeley. Upon meeting the coaches and the team, I knew that this was the school for me! I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and I cannot wait to spend the next four years at Cal. GO BEARS!!!"

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Her best times include:

• 100 back 53.46
• 200 back 1:57.27
• 200 IM 1:58.68
• 400 IM 4:15.38
• 500 free 4:45.91
• 50 free 23.00
• 100 free 48.88
• 200 free 1:45.44
• 100 fly 54.73

Spitz's versatility will be valuable for the Golden Bears in a number of events when she arrives on campus for the 2019-20 season. Her best 100 back time would've scored in the A-final of the 2018 Pac-12 Championships, while her 200 back, 200 IM and 400 IM would've placed in the B-final. Under head coach Teri McKeever, Cal finished second at last season's conference meet and at NCAAs.

Meanwhile, this formidable group of 2019 Baby Horns were @ Austin:

Miranda Heckman (#24 Nat, #4 CA), Bridget Semenuk (#47 Nat, #1 CT), Cora Dupre (#34 Nat, #1 OH), Mary Smutny (#19 Nat, #4 FL), Kelly Pash (#8 Nat, #1 IN)

Second recruiting weekend down at College Station...


Sydney Stanford (2019 A&M), Addie Rose Bullock (2019 recruit)


Gabby Dang (2019 recruit), Addie Rose Bullock (2019 recruit)

bearz012 said:

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Bullock making her rounds, now to Harvard (two official visits left), with top 10 recruit Alexandra Crisera:

Other uncommitted recruits hosted: Natalie Whalen (#99 Nat, #7 TX), Olivia Jubin (#144 Nat, #8 VA), Sasha Liu (#271 Nat, #31 CA)

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Natalie Whalen -> Harvard: "I am thrilled to announce my commitment to the admissions process to swim and study at Harvard University!! I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity and for my family, coaches, teachers, teammates, and friends who have supported me along the way. Go Crimson!!"

USA SWIMMING RECOGNIZES 1,622 SCHOLASTIC ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS



After USA Swimming opened this past year's Scholastic All-America selections to 9th graders, the numbers soared with 239 freshmen members to the team. If the team were to remain open to 10th-12th graders, there would be 1,383 Scholastic All-Americans, roughly 200 more than last year's team.
The Southern Zone lead the way with 445 Scholastic All-American selections. North Carolina had the most selections of the LSCs with 120 Scholastic All-Americans, while SwimMAC Carolina snagged 47 SAA selections.
Although no perfect scores this season (National Champion and 4.0 GPA), there were 180 three-timers selected to the team. With the first year featuring all 4 grades, the 11th graders were the most populous grade with 564 Scholastic All-Americans.

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Congrats to these honorary bears for making the Scholastic All-America selection team, highlighting their dedication as both athletes and students:

Ema Rajic (2018, 3-year)
Chloe Clark (2019, 2-year)
Emma Davidson (2019, 2-year)
Ashlyn Fiorilli (2019, 2-year)
Isabel Ivey (2019, 1-year)
Rachel Klinker (2019, 1-year)
Ayla Spitz (2019, 2-year) + twin Zoe (2019 recruit, 2-year)
Reece Whitley (2018, 3-year)
Kyle Millis (2018, 2-year)
Galen Penvenne (2018, 3-year)
Calvin David (2019, 2-year)
Jason Louser (2019, 2-year)
Will Pelton (2019, 2-year)

And amongst our bears, quite a few uncommitted recruits are highlighted as well, including but not limited to Regan, Emma Sticklen, Abby Harter, Olivia Bray, Isabelle Stadden, Ella/Mia Ristic, Luca Urlando, Ethan Dang, etc.

Are the Spitz twins related to Mark?

No, they are not.

Looks like the batch of 2019 Hoos made it down to Charlottesville...no new surprises.


Back: Henry Schutte (#69 Nat, #1 MI), Jack Wright (#16 Nat, #2 PA), Jack Walker (#14 Nat, #2 NC), Sean Conway (#18 Nat, #1 VA), Max Edwards (#153 Nat, #4 NC), Daniel Gyenis (#86 Nat, #6 VA), Konnar Klinksiek (#192 Nat, #9 TX)
Middle: Caroline Kulp (#37 Nat, #3 VA), Maddie Donohoe (#10 Nat, #1 VA), Ella Nelson (#14 Nat, #1 TN), Kate Douglass (#7 Nat, #1 NY), Lexi Cuomo (#35 Nat, #2 VA), Jennifer Bell (diving)
Front: Katie Cronin (#150 Nat, #12 FL), Charlotte Bowen (diving), Ella Collins (#72 Nat, #5 TX)


Maddie Donohoe (#10 Nat, #1 VA), Kate Douglass (#7 Nat, #1 NY), Ella Nelson (#14 Nat, #1 TN)

https://instagr.am/p/BoaWBt3nTn6

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2019 Baby Vols looking cheery in spite of the Gators' best efforts to dampen their recruiting weekend spirits...

Natalie Ungaretti (#63 Nat, #2 IL), Lyndsey Huizenga (#644 Nat, #45 FL), Whittney Hamilton (#90 Nat, #5 VA), Kenna Haney (#75 Nat, #3 NC)

Also:

• UPDATE (cheers for the heads up, S19): Abby Samansky (#102 Nat, #17 CA) => Tenn

https://instagr.am/p/BoFgxFrgaRX

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Whilst over at Kroger Field, some 2019 Baby Wildcats hanging with their UK big sis:

Caitlin Brooks (#13 Nat, #2 FL) & Gillian Davey (#27 Nat, #1 IA) :

Lauren Poole (#75 Nat, #1 MD), Sophie Sorenson (2018), Caitlin Brooks (#13 Nat, #2 FL), Riley Gaines (2018)


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UrsusArctosCalifornicus said:

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bearz012 said:

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Ayla Spitz --> Cal!!!
CS ranking as of verbal: #20 Nat, #2 CA

---

• Reported by SW today (tho they forgot to include Chloe, Sarah & Ashlyn in their list of 2019 Baby Bear commits, hmmm):

Cal Golden Bears Get Verbal Commitment From Ayla Spitz

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• SwimSwam finally got into the act today (23 Sept) lol:

VERSATILE 20TH-RANKED AYLA SPITZ VERBALLY COMMITS TO CAL

Ayla Spitz of Newport Harbor High School in California, related to twin sister Zoe Spitz but not related to 9-time Olympic gold medalist Mark Spitz, has verbally committed to Cal. She will join the team in the fall of 2019.

One of the top recruits in the class out of Orange County, and the #20 recruit on our list of the top 20 girls from the class of 2019, Spitz is a versatile swimmer who projects as a middle-distance freestyler, backstroker and IM'er at the collegiate level. She joins a Cal team that, led by head coach Teri McKeever, that has won more backstroke titles than anyone in the last 20 years, and has shown recent success in the IM races as well. Cal has won 10 of the last 18 NCAA titles in the 100 back, 8 of the last 17 NCAA titles in the 200 back, and 4 of the last 7 NCAA titles in the 200 IM.

Spitz's best times in yards:

• 50 free - 23.00
• 100 free - 48.88
• 200 free - 1:45.44
• 500 free - 4:45.91
• 100 back - 53.46
• 200 back - 1:57.27
• 100 breast - 1:04.36
• 100 fly - 54.73
• 200 IM - 1:58.68
• 400 IM - 4:15.38

In long course, Spitz also has Summer Nationals cuts in the 100 back (1:02.44), the 200 free (2:00.74), and the 200 IM (2:17.60). That 200 free time tied her for the 6th-best among American 17 & unders in this summer's long course season. She finished 4th in both the 100 and 200 freestyle races at Junior Nationals this summer.

She already has NCAA "B" time standards in the 100 free, 200 free, 500 free, 100 back, 200 back, 200 IM, and 400 IM.

Her twin sister Zoe, who is more of a butterflier (55.21/2:01.68 in yards), has not yet announced her college decision. Both swimmers train with Irvine Novaquatics.