Arizona Secures Verbal Pledge from Illinois Sectional Champion Paige Armstrong

Photo Courtesy: Paige Armstrong

NEW COMMIT: Futures qualifier Paige Armstrong of St. Charles, Illinois, will soon call herself a Wildcat after verbally committing to the University of Arizona beginning in the fall of 2022.

She will join Alexis Newman and Eleni Gewalt as a member of the Wildcats’ Class of 2026.

She told Swimming World:

“I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Arizona! I want to thank my family, friends and coaches who have helped me along the way. Cant wait to be a wildcat!! BEAR DOWN”

A talented backstroker and freestyler, Armstrong trains year-round with Saint Charles Swim Team and most recently placed 18th in the 200m back at Pleasant Prairie Sectionals in July. Back in the winter, she finished eighth in the 200m back at the Illinois Winter Championships and had a pair of top-10 finishes at Illinois Seniors in 2020.

Photo Courtesy: Paige Armstrong

Her best times include:

100 back – 55.93
200 back – 2:01.46
200 free – 1:50.27
500 free – 4:59.50

Also competing for St. Charles North High School, Armstrong won the 100 back and 200 free and was the runner-up in the 500 free at the IHSA Sectional Championships as a junior. She placed 12th in the 200 free during her sophomore season and the Illinois State Championships.

Armstrong is a great pickup for the Wildcats, who finished seventh at the 2021 Pac-12 Championships. She would’ve been one of their top backstrokers last season and will join a training group led by Julia Heimstead, Azana Merckx, Maddy Burt, and Grace Anderson.

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

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