Australian Braga Verhage, Atlanta’s Jared Clance Commit To Tennessee

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The Tennessee Volunteers continue to collect a strong group of swimmers for next year’s freshman class, getting verbal commitments from sprinter Braga Verhage and breaststroker Jared Clance.

Tennessee’s coaching staff reached all the way to Australia to nab Verhage, who will likely make a big impact immediately for the Volunteers as he adjusts to short course yards racing. The Perth native swam a 22.18 in the 50 free at the short course meters Australian state age group championships last month, which helped him win the 16-17 age group division in the event for one of the fastest times ever done by an Australian at that age.

Using Swimming World’s conversion tool, the time would convert (unofficially) to a sub-20 second swim in short course yards, a big accomplishment for someone not yet in college – and a big boon for Tennessee.

In the long course 50 free, he swam a 23.19 at this year’s Australian age group championships for a lifetime best. His potential in the 100 free is there as well, with a 50.40 lifetime best in short course meters.

“I’m incredibly excited to join Tennessee, with its great combination of athletics, fantastic facilities and an awesome coaching team,” Verhage said.

Clance, who represents SwimAtlanta, is a junior nationals qualifier in the breaststroke events, earning lifetime bests of 1:05.49 in the 100 breast and 2:20.58 in the 200 breast at the summer junior nationals. Though both times earned nearly equal Power Points by USA Swimming, he’s a better 200 breaststroker in yards, with a 2:01.08 surpassing his 56.96 for the 100 breast.

“Tennessee felt like home from the minute I stepped on campus,” Clance said. “The team is welcoming and supportive of each other; they hold each other to a high standard that fits perfectly into my goals as a swimmer. The coaches are amazing; you can really feel the connection between them and the team. I can’t wait for next fall!”

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