3 Best Incoming Utah Recruits

Photo Courtesy: Utah Athletics

The Utah Utes men’s and women’s teams added 15 recruits from the high school class of 2016. Swimming World looked into the three of the team’s top recruits.

Mariah Gassaway

Gassaway, the top rated recruit in Utah by collegeswimming.com, will immediately help the Utes as a breaststroker.

The 75th ranked recruit nationally, Gassaway holds best times of 1:01.60 in the 100-yard breaststroke and 2:15.18 in the 200-yard breaststroke. She will be joined on the team by her sister, McKenna Gassaway.

“We knew it was going to be a tough battle with BYU as well as other schools all over the country for them and I am thrilled they decided to stay close to home and compete for the Utes,” coach Joe Dykstra said.

Cassidy Stein

Stein is a National qualifier and a long distance specialist. The Colorado native is ranked fourth in her state and 145th nationally.

Stein boasts best times of 9:58.06 in the 1000-yard freestyle, 16:47.21 in the 1650-yard freestyle and 4:54.74 in the 500-yard freestyle. She also excels in the 200-yard backstroke and 400-yard individual medley.

“Cassidy will come in right on our school records in the 200 back and 400 IM and she has the versatility to contribute in about six more events,” Dykstra said. “She currently trains with the club team at University of Denver and we couldn’t be more excited to have her come over the mountains and compete for the Utes.”

Liam O’Haimhirgin

O’Haimhirgin travels to Utah from the fastest swimming state in the country: California. He is ranked 12th in his state and is a freestyle swimmer.

O’Haimhirgin has best times of 44.90 in the 100-yard freestyle and 1:38.05 in the 200-yard freestyle. He also could prove to be a strong butterfly swimmer for the Utes.

“I loved the coaches philosophy and got along great with the team,” he said on his College Swimming Profile. “Go Utes!”

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use