NEW COMMIT: Espoo, Finald’s Aino Otava will make the move to the University of Miami next fall after recently giving the Hurricanes a verbal commitment.
Otava swims year-round for Cetus, the largest swim club in Finland who has earned the national title for best club in the country five times in a row. Primarily a freestyler, she most recently competed at the Finnish Swimming Championships in June where she recorded a pair of best times. At the Nordic Championships last winter, Otava won the 400 SCM free and she also represented her home country at the 2016 European Championships.
She told Swimming World:
”I’m so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at University of Miami! I’m so thankful for this opportunity to continue my growth as an athlete but as a student also. Never in a million years would have I guessed that when I accidentally started swimming 10 years ago (thx mom) that swimming would give me such a beautiful journey with so many amazing opportunities. Thanks to my coaches, family and friends for your unconditional love and support. Can’t wait to spend next 4 years making myself better in a such warm and ambitious environment (while getting a tan!) GO CANES!! #universityofmiami #miamihurricanes”
In LCM, her best times include:
- 200m free – 2:02.77
- 400m free – 4:18.02
- 800m free – 8:52.47
- 1500m free – 17:06.28
In SCY, those times convert to:
- 200 free – 1:48.52
- 500 free – 4:46.91
- 1000 free – 10:01.69
- 1650 free – 16:50.88
Otava will make an immediate impact when she suits up for the Canes as a member of the class of 2023. She will add valuable depth to their distance group, which only saw one swimmer swim the mile last season. Otava’s best times (converted to yards) would’ve scored in the C-final of the 500 free and been top-25 in the mile at the 2018 ACC Championships.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
Hienoa Aino ??