Kentucky Wildcats Add Florida 3A Runner-Up Drew Johnson to Class of 2026

Photo Courtesy: Drew Johnson

NEW COMMIT: The University of Kentucky has welcomed a new addition to Big Blue Nation for the fall of 2022, this time from Junior National qualifier Drew Johnson of Clearwater, Florida.

He will join Kevin Glennon, Levi Sandidge, Ryan Merani, Brady McInerney, Logan Smith and Logan Ingerick as a member of the Wildcats’ Class of 2026.

Regarding his commitment, he said:

“I’m so excited to announce my commitment to swim at the University of Kentucky!! I want to first thank my coaches Kyle, Scott, Kacey, Cory, Mr. V, and any other coach that has helped me along the way! I want to thank my friends and family for sticking with me through everything and being there to always support me! I also wanna thank all of my teammates over the last 3 years for inspiring, encouraging, and pushing me to be my best throughout my time with them. It’s hard to put into words the excitement and gratitude i feel. I’ll never forget when I wasn’t fast enough to make regionals my freshman year, and promised myself that one day I would be swimming in the SEC. LETS GO BBN!”

A talented sprinter, Johnson does his club swimming with Radiant Aquatics and recently picked up three gold medals at the AAU Junior Olympic Games last month after earning a best time at the Florida Senior Championships. He also raced four events at the ISCA International Senior Cup in March after placing eighth in the 50 fly at Florida Seniors – South.

His best times include:

50 free – 20.89
100 free – 47.82
100 fly – 51.09
50m free – 24.01
100m free – 52.67
100m fly – 57.68

Also competing for Dixie M. Hollins High School, Johnson finished second in the 50 free and ninth in the 100 fly as a junior at the Florida 3A State Championships. He placed first and fourth, respectively, in those events at the FHSAA 3A District 7 meet in 2020 as well.

Johnson has made significant improvements over the last two seasons, shaving off three seconds in the 50 free, five in the 100 free, and six in the 100 fly. Even with a year of club swimming still to go, his best 50 free time would’ve ranked fifth on UK’s lineup last season.

Under head coach Lars Jorgensen, the Wildcats finished seventh at the 2021 SEC Championships with 759 points, the highest score in program history.

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

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