Kentucky Wildcats Earn 2021 Verbals from Annie Galvin, Emma Hermeston, Sydney Stricklin

Photo Courtesy: University of Kentucky Athletics

NEW COMMITS: The University of Kentucky has recently scored three verbal commitments for their growing Class of 2025 from Annie Galvin, Emma Hermeston, and Sydney Stricklin.

All three swimmers will join Madeline Wenig in Lexington at the start of the 2021-22 season.

ANNIE GALVIN

Photo Courtesy: Annie Galvin Instagram (@anniergalvin)

Galvin, who owns the Junior National standard in both backstroke events, does her club swimming with Ames Cyclone Aquatic Club and most recently raced three events at Juniors West in December after earning two best times at Junior Nationals this past summer. A native of Ames, Iowa, the two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American is a four-time Iowa State Championship finalist while competing for Ames Senior High School.

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I chose the University of Kentucky because of the amazing team culture, coaches, and academic resources. They are going to develop me not only as an athlete, but a person as well. I’m so excited to be a Wildcat!”

Her best times include:

50 back – 26.90
100 back – 55.02
200 back – 2:01.24
50 free – 23.96

EMMA HERMESTON

Photo Courtesy: Emma Hermeston Instagram (@emmahermeston)

Swimming year-round with Elevation Athletics, Hermeston finaled in the 100m back at Mount Hood Sectionals and was the runner-up in the 100m fly at the CAC LCM Open this past summer. A current junior at Silver Creek High School, the Longmont, Colo. native is a four-time Colorado 4A State Championship finalist, finishing fourth in both the 100 fly and 100 back during her sophomore season.

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I am so beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Kentucky!! I want to start off by saying how thankful I am for my coaches and teammates that have helped push me to achieve my goals. I’m thankful for all of the support that has been given to me by my family through thick and thin. I also want to give a special thanks to my first coach, Oliver, who helped give me the passion that I have for swimming and taught me that pain is temporary and joy lasts forever. Go Cats!!”

Her best times include:

100 fly – 57.10
100 back – 58.20
200 back – 2:06.23
100 free – 52.87

SYDNEY STRICKLIN

Photo Courtesy: Sydney Stricklin Instagram (@syd_stricklin)Photo Courtesy: Sydney Stricklin Instagram (@syd_stricklin)

Hailing from Clarkston, Mich., Strickling competes year-round with Club Wolverine and owns the Olympic Trials cut in the 50m free with five additional Junior National standards. The two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American finished 15th in the 100 free at Juniors East in December and earned a pair of best times at Junior Nationals this past summer. She also won the 100/200 free combo at Michigan Open last winter.

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I’m excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Kentucky. I’m thankful to all of my coaches and teammates I have had over the years. I am especially thankful to my family for supporting me every step of the way. These influential people chose to pour into my life and I am so grateful for them. Most significantly, I feel blessed by God for giving me the ability to have this opportunity. Go Cats!!!”

Her best times include:

50m free – 25.89 (Olympic Trials cut)
100 free – 50.31
200 free – 1:48.10
100 back – 54.98
200 back – 1:58.75
400 IM – 4:21.01

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

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