Lily DeLong Verbally Commits to In-State Kentucky Wildcats for 2023

Photo Courtesy: Lily DeLong

NEW COMMIT: The University of Kentucky has received yet another verbal commitment for its growing Class of 2027, this time from in-state native Lily DeLong of Nicholasville, Kentucky.

She will join Marie Belli, Lillie Boggs, Libby Grether, Megan Hutchins, Elizabeth Tilt, Cassie Howell, Paige Housman and Madi McGlothen in Lexington at the start of the 2023-24 season.

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I am so excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic journey at the University of Kentucky! After being a Wildcat fan my entire life, I couldn’t be more excited to join this amazing team. Thank you to all of my friends, family, teammates, and coaches who have helped me along the way. GO CATS!! #bbn”

DeLong trains year-round with Highbridge Aquatics and most recently achieved seven lifetime bests at the Kentucky 13&O Championships where she collected bronze in the 100 back, 100 free and 200 free.

Currently a junior at West Jessamine High School, DeLong earned silver in the 100 free in 2022 and took ninth in the 100 back, after placing seventh in the 100 free during her sophomore season.

Her best times include:

50 free – 23.93
100 free – 50.82
200 free – 1:52.29
100 back – 56.40
200 back – 2:05.73
100 fly – 56.96

Kentucky is coming off yet another successful season in 2021-22. They concluded the SEC Championships as the team runner-up with 1043 points, their second-highest finish and second-most point total ever at the SEC Championships. The Wildcats’ NCAA finish of 12th with 115.5 points matched their second-best team finish and marked the second-most points scored in school history.

The 2020-21 season was also one of the history books for the UK women’s team, culminating with the Wildcats winning their first-ever SEC title with a program-record 1,124 points under head coach Lars Jorgensen.

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

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use