Michigan Breaststroker Josh Ehrman Chooses Purdue for College

PHOENIX, Arizona, October 26. THE Purdue Boilermakers, previously known mostly for their superstar divers, claimed a rising star in the breaststroke and IM ranks with Josh Ehrman's verbal commitment today.

Ehrman, who swims for Todd Brunty at Saline High School and Kelton Graham at Club Wolverine in Ann Arbor, Mich., is a five-star swimmer in the Swimming World College Recruit rankings on the basis of impressive long course times. He posted a 2:20.96 in the 200 breast at the 2011 junior nationals, as well as a 2:07.48 in the 200 IM. Both times just missed Olympic Trials qualification standards by less than a second.

“I felt that Purdue was the best fit for me because it best combined my athletic and academic goals,” Ehrman told Swimming World today. “Coach Ross has a great record with breaststrokers and his belief in me was key. I am very excited to be a Boilermaker!”

Purdue University's swimming and diving team has gained notoriety in the past few years more for its superb diving program than its swimmers. David Boudia won multiple NCAA titles under Adam Soldati's tutelage, then followed that up with an Olympic gold medal on the platform in London. But at the 2012 NCAAs, the Boilermakers managed a 13th-place finish in the 200 free relay, with all four swimmers on the squad also competing in the 50 freestyle.

Ehrman's contributions could help Purdue break into the top five at the Big 10 championships, but he has work to do to find himself on Purdue's NCAA team. His short course yards time of 55.36 in the 100 breast would be an NCAA B qualifying time, and his 2:04.14 in the 200 breast and 1:49.34 in the 200 IM rank in the top five among current Purdue swimmers, giving him ample opportunity to contribute at all levels.

With today's announcement, Purdue snags the top high school senior swimmer from Michigan. Ehrman will be looking to repeat as Michigan high school state champion in the 100 breast next March, attempting to lower his own state record in that event, as well as the 200 IM. Ehrman was the sixth-fastest high school swimmer in the 100 breast last season nationally, and is the fourth-fastest high school senior coming into this season.

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