Alabama Snags 2024 Verbal From Former NAG Record Holder Jarrett Payne

NEW COMMIT: The University of Alabama has dipped into Class of 2024 recruiting, recently receiving a verbal commitment for its Class of 2028 from Junior National qualifier Jarrett Payne of Sidney, Ohio.

He told Swimming World:

“I am extremely excited to announce my future plans to continue my education and swimming at the University of Alabama. My love for swimming started with the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA and coaches Chad McClain and Mary Jannides. I am forever grateful to all of my teammates and coaches, past and present including my high school coach Brennan Brewer, and my SPY coaches Chris McKinney, John Bishop, Morgan Siefert and Mickey McNeil. They have all been instrumental in preparing me to go after my goals in the water. I would also like to thank the teachers and administration at Sidney High School for giving me the tools to excel in the classroom. A huge thank you goes out to the Alabama swim coaches for their belief in me and vision for what we can accomplish as a team. Coach Margo, Coach Ozzie, Coach Roman, Coach Reed, and Coach James, I can’t wait to get to Tuscaloosa to work with the amazing staff and team! Finally my biggest thanks goes to my family for their unwavering support and sacrifices along my swim journey. My mom, dad, sister Addison and brothers Jaxxson, Justiss and Josseph have all helped me get to this point. And I know they’ll be cheering right along with me, Roll Tide”

Payne does his club swimming with Springfield Family YMCA, which is an hour drive each way from his house and the same club team as Bama head coach Margo Geer.

This past summer, he finished 12th in the 100m back and 13th in the 200m IM at Geneva Futures after sweeping the IM events at the Southwest Ohio YMCA LCM Championships. Back in March, he placed eighth in the 100 fly, 11th in the 200 IM, 15th in the 100 back and 16th in the 100 free at YMCA Nationals.

Back in 2018, he broke the National Age Group record in the 50 fly for boys’ age 11-12, a mark which stood for a year.

His best times include:

50 free 21.00
100 free 45.32
200 free 1:41.00
100 fly 49.21
200 fly 1:51.42
100 back 49.55
200 back 1:50.76
100 breast 59.04
200 breast 2:06.97
200 IM 1:50.23

Currently a junior at Sidney High School, Payne is a two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and a NISCA All-America selection. He placed sixth in the 200 IM and ninth in the 100 free as a sophomore at the Ohio State Championships after taking ninth and 12th, respectively, in those events as a freshman.

If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.

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