Georgia Tech Adds Scott Haney, Mert Kilavuz, Berke Saka, Matt Steele for 2021-22 Season

Photo Courtesy: Danny Karnik

NEW COMMITS: Georgia Tech has recently scored four new verbal commitments for the 2021-22 season and beyond from Scott Haney, Mert Kilavuz, Berke Saka, and Matt Steele.

All four swimmers will join Sean Simms in Atlanta as members of the Yellow Jackets’ class of 2025.

SCOTT HANEY

Photo Courtesy: Scott Haney via CollegeSwimming

Regarding his commitment, he said:

“I’m so excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at Georgia Tech. I want to thank my family, friends, and coaches for helping me get to this point and making my dream of swimming in college possible. I’m blessed for the opportunity and I’m honored to be part of such a great program. GO JACKETS!!!!”

A native of Ponte Vedra, Fla., Haney owns two Winter Juniors cuts and swims year-round with Episcopal AmberJax. He most recently placed eighth in the 200m free at the Florida OT Qualifier after earning two best times at Juniors East. A current junior at Jacksonville Episcopal High School, he grabbed silver in the 200 free at the Florida 1A State Championships as a junior.

His best times include:

100 free – 45.99
200 free – 1:39.26
500 free – 4:36.29

MERT KILAVUZ

Regarding his commitment, he said:

“It is an honor to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at the Georgia Institute of Technology. I’m thankful to my family, coaches, teachers and friends for all their support along the way.I can’t wait to be a Yellow Jacket and I am so excited to be part of this legendary family. GO JACKETS!”

Hailing from Antalya, Turkey, Kilavuz is a member of the Turkish National Team and recently won the 800m free and 1500m free at the Turkish National Meet. He earned gold in both of those events at the Turkish SCM Junior Championships and raced the mile at the 7th FINA World Junior Championships.

His best times include:

200m free – 1:55.86 (1:41.37)
400m free – 3:55.22 (4:22.27)
800m free – 7:55.28 (8:49.93)
1500m free – 15:20.64 (14:57.62)

BERKE SAKA

Photo Courtesy: Berke Saka Instagram (@berke_saka)

Regarding his commitment, he said:

“I’m extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my swimming and academic career at Georgia Institute of Technology for the class of 2025. I want to say huge thanks to everybody who supported me for this whole time especially my family, teachers and coaches. I choose Georgia Tech because I think it will be better for me and I’ll be able to prove myself in and out of the pool in so many ways. I’m going to leave where I spent my 17 years with some tears of joy for my future. Go JACKETS”

Arriving from Istanbul, Turkey, Saka is also member of the Turkish Swimming Federation and recently finaled in three events at the Turkish National Meet. He earned bronze medals in the 100m IM and 200m back at the Turkish SCM Junior Championships in December and raced three events at the FINA World Junior Championships in Budapest.

His best times include:

200m IM – 2:03.25 (1:46.85)
400m IM – 4:34.19 (3:57.17)
100m back – 56.39 (48.21)
200m back – 2:00.22 (1:44.47)

MATT STEELE

Photo Courtesy: Matt Steele via Instagram (@mattsteele02)

Regarding his commitment, he said:

“I am extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my swimming and academic career at Georgia Tech! I would like to thank my coaches, family, and friends for guiding me in this process and for helping me achieve my goals in and out of the water. Go Jackets!”

Steele, an Atlanta, Ga. resident, does his club swimming with Swim Atlanta and owns a trio of U.S. Open cuts. He most recently won the 400 IM at the Southern Premier Invitational after earning three best times at Juniors East. He earned bronze in the 400m IM at Georgia LCM Seniors last summer and is a four-time Georgia 6A/7A State Championship finalist for North Atlanta High School.

His best times include:

200 IM – 1:50.92
400 IM – 3:56.24
100 breast – 56.52
200 breast – 2:01.90

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

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Dale Haney

4 years ago

We are very proud of Scott!