Gators Secure Verbal Pledge from Florida 1A Bronze Medallist Jessica Strong for Class of 2026

Photo Courtesy: Jessica Strong

NEW COMMIT: The University of Florida has continued forming a stellar Class of 2026, recently picking up another verbal commitment from Junior National qualifier Jessica Strong of Houston, Texas.

She will join Hayden Miller, Zoe Dixon and Scarlet Martin as well as Florida natives Mallory Schleicher, Bella Lojewski and Anna Moore in Gainesville at the start of the 2022-23 season.

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Florida! I have so many people to thank, who got me to where I am today. Thank you to all my coaches and teammates who have made me fall in love with the sport and have pushed me to be my best. Also, a big thank you to my parents, who have supported me through everything! GO GATORS!??”

Strong, who does her club swimming with the Bolles School Sharks, swept both breaststroke events at the Florida Senior Championships – North in March after finaling in those events at the Southern Zone Sectional Championships in February.

Originally from Canada, Strong has finished 16th in the 100m breast at the Canadiana Junior Championships in July 2019. She also placed seventh in the 100m breast and 13th in the 200m breast at the British Columbia Summer Provincial Championships that same summer.

Her best times include:

100 breast – 1:03.11
200 breast – 2:16.86
200 IM – 2:09.37

Currently a junior at Bolles School, Strong is a three-time Florida 1A State Championship finalist. She earned bronze in the 100 breast and took ninth in the 200 IM in 2020 while taking sixth in the former during her sophomore season.

The Gators are also bringing in Aris Runnels, Georgia Bates, Ekaterina Nikonova, Olivia Peoples, Anna Auld, Mary Kate Kelley, Micayla Cronk, and Brooke Zettel for the fall of 2021.

Anthony Nesty is set to take over both the men’s and women’s programs beginning this upcoming season.

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

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