University of Toronto Signs Top-Ranked 100 Freestyler in Class: Mitch Ferraro

By Mike Thompson, Swimming World Canadian contributor

TORONTO, Ontario, Canada, November 12. IN what has been a stellar recruiting Fall, the University of Toronto is pleased to announce that Mitch Ferraro has signed to attend for the Fall of 2014. Ferraro, of Uxbridge (about 100km northeast of Toronto) is the fastest 100m freestyler in this year’s graduating class: 49.3/scm (44.6/yards). He is also ranked top three in the 50 free and 200 free as well as the sprint distance backstroke and butterfly events

Ferraro is the third top-ranked athlete to sign with the Varsity Blues mens team since September, after Oliver Straszynski and Kyle Haas joined last month.

“Mitchel will cement our sprint corps as the top in the country,” said head coach Byron MacDonald. “He has a large upside as he only trains 10 hours per week. His coach [U of T alumnus Dr. Terry Bryon] has done a great job with him.”

Ferraro won four medals at the recent Canada Games and will be off to Australia in January for Canada for the Australian junior Tour.
Ferraro joins #1/Backstoke recruit in the country Kyle Haas and #1 ranked 800 freestyle recruit in the country Oliver Straszynski (who is also going to Australia in January) as a very strong recruiting class for Toronto.

With the large graduating class of Canadians heading to Michigan, Cal and Indiana earlier this season, MacDonald is very optimistic about his most recent signings. “I think we are seeing a realization of the great opportunities that we can offer to these top young swimmers right here in Canada.”

Mike Thompson, a Swimming World contributor from Canada, is the senior sprint coach at the vaunted Oakville Aquatic Club in Canada. He also hosts the Coach Mike Podcast, that includes interviews with some of the top Canadian talent.

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