Distance Standout Claire Dafoe Verbally Commits to Pitt Panthers’ Class of 2026

Photo Courtesy: Claire Dafoe

NEW COMMIT: The University of Pittsburgh has received their second early verbal commitment for the 2022-23 season and beyond from Midlothian, Va. native Claire Dafoe.

She will join Angelina Messina of St. Charles, Ill. as a member of the Panthers’ Class of 2026.

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I am extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at the University of Pittsburgh!! Pitt offers top ranked academics and athletics combined with a passion for excellence! #H2P??? GO PANTHERS!!!”

A talented freestyler, Dafoe does her club swimming with NOVA of Virginia Aquatics and most recently finished fifth in the 1500m free, sixth in the 400m free, and ninth in the 800m free at the Richmond U.S. Open. Last winter, she was a six-time finalist at Virginia Seniors.

In Summer 2019, she flew to fourth place in the 200m fly at the FCST Gulf Summer Championships before going on to record a trio of top-18 finishes at Greensboro Futures.

Her best times include:

200 free – 1:51.83
500 free – 4:50.84
1000 free – 9:56.20
1650 free – 16:43.60
100 fly – 58.88
200 fly – 2:03.84
200 IM – 2:05.54
400 IM – 4:25.45

Currently a junior at Cosby High School, Dafoe is a four-time Virginia 6A State Championship finalist. She finished seventh in both the 200 free and 500 free as sophomore while taking second and first, respectively, in those events at the VHSL Class 6 Region A Championships the week prior.

Even with 1.5 years of club swimming still to go before suiting up for the Panthers in the fall of 2022, Dafoe will add valuable distance freestyle depth to their lineup. She would’ve been their second-fastest miler last season and would’ve scored in the top-14 of that event at the 2020 ACC Championships.

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

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