Recruiting Roundup: Canadian National Record-Holder Noemie Thomas Commits to Cal

PHOENIX, Arizona, October 10. WITH the early signing period quickly approaching, the verbal commitments just keep rolling in. Several more swimmers have made their college choices known in the past 24 hours, headlined by Canadian standout Noemie Thomas.

Minnesota
Mckenna Lynch, the fifth-ranked recruit out of Iowa according to Collegeswimming.com’s rankings, has committed to attend Minnesota in the fall. Lynch, who trains at Central Iowa Aquatics, will make an impact in the mid-distance and distance freestyle events with top swims of 10:18.26 in the 1,000 free, 1:51.43 in the 200 free and 5:00.22 in the 500 free. She’ll also be a valuable contributor in relays with a 52.26 in the 100 free.

California
Noemie Thomas, a Canadian standout and the third-ranked international recruit by Collegeswimming.com, has committed to the Cal Bears. Thomas competed for Canada at the 2013 FINA World Championships this summer, finishing seventh in the 100m fly (58.13) and 25th in the 50m fly (26.88). She holds the Canadian national record in the short course 50m fly at 25.60, a time which converts to 23.0 in yards. Her 100m fly long course time would translate to a 51-second range 100-yard fly, which would put her squarely in the hunt for an NCAA title.

Duke
The Blue Devils added two more freshmen to their incoming class with the addition of Elizabeth Devitt (Mission Viejo Nadadores) and Verity Abel (Wilton Y Wahoos). Devitt primarily specializes in freestyle events, with top-ranked swims in the 1,000 free (10:27.28), 100 free (51.58) and 1,650 free (17:38.37). Her best event, however, may be the 200 IM, as she has posted a 2:01.63.

Abel is the top-ranked recruit out of Connecticut and also excels in the distance freestyle events with best times of 16:30.21 in the 1,650, 9:55.98 in the 1,000 and 4:51.97 in the 500. Her time in the mile is already under this year’s B standard of 16:30.59.

Florida State
SwimAtlanta’s Alexi Smith elected to stay in the southeast for college, verbally committing to Florida State yesterday. Smith is ranked seventh overall in the state of Georgia by Collegeswimming.com, and will be a major contributor in the sprint free events and relays. Smith’s best times of 23.14 in the 50 free and 50.86 in the 100 will put her in the relay picture, along with her 57.82 in the 100 fly.

Northwestern
SwimAtlanta successfully placed a second athlete at a top Division I school, as Aja Malone will head to Northwestern next fall. Malone excels in a wide range of events, including the 200 fly (1:59.16), 100 fly (54.17), 100 back (56.26) and 100 free (50.98). She could potentially contribute to Northwestern’s medley relays in three of the four strokes.

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