Louisville Scores Pair of 2021 Verbals from Lance Godard and Wylie Kruse

Photo Courtesy: University of Louisville Athletics

NEW COMMITS: The University of Louisville has received a pair of verbal commitments for their growing class of 2025 from Lee’s Summit, Mo. native Lance Godard and Wylie Kruse of Fort Collins, Colo.

Both swimmers will join John Bossler, Owen Taylor and Luke Shourds in The Ville at the start of the 2021-22 season.

LANCE GODARD

Photo Courtesy: Lance Godard Instagram (@l_godard)

A talented butterflyer and IMer, Godard swims year-round with Empire KC Swim Club and owns the U.S. Open cut in the 100 fly with the Summer Juniors standard in the 200 fly. He capped off his summer season with a best time at Junior Nationals after placing fourth in the 100m fly at Jenks Sectionals. Last winter, he notched a pair of lifetime bests at Juniors West before going on to win the 200 IM at the Missouri Valley Championships. A current junior at Lee Summit North High School, he most recently earned three gold medals in the 100 fly, 4×50 medley relay, and 4×50 free relay at the Missouri Class 2 State Championships – the latter being a state record. He has also earned USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors twice in his career.

Regarding his commitment, he said:

“I am excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Louisville to continue my academic and swimming careers. A special thank you to the coaches for the opportunity to be apart of such a special program. I also want to thank my friends, coaches and family for all the support! Go Cards!!”

His best times include:

50 fly – 22.59
100 fly – 49.11
200 fly – 1:49.70
200 IM – 1:52.51
400 IM – 3:59.25

WYLIE KRUSE

Photo Courtesy: Wylie Kruse via CollegeSwimming

Kruse owns the U.S. Open cut in both backstroke events and does his club swimming with Fort Collins Area Swim Team. This past summer, he raced two events at Junior Nationals and placed fifth in the 100m back at Mount Hood Sectionals. He registered four best times at Juniors West last short course season while recording a pair of top-8 finishes at Federal Way Sectionals. Also competing for Rocky Mountain High School, Kruse is a four-time Colorado 5A State Championship finalist. The USA Swimming Scholastic All-American placed fourth in both the 100 back and 100 free as a sophomore after taking 13th in the 100 back and 200 IM during his freshman season.

Regarding his commitment, he said:

“I’m super excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Louisville! The swim program and academics are both a perfect fit. The coaches and the team dynamics were incredibly impressive. I would like to thank my parents, family and friends for all of the opportunities that they have given me! I am so grateful for the opportunity. GO CARDS!”

His best times include:

50 back – 23.83
100 back – 49.86
200 back – 1:47.17
200 IM – 1:52.14
100 free – 46.42

The Cardinals are fresh off a historic season where they were the team runners-up at the ACC Championships. Louisville finished a program-high fifth place at the NCAA Championships, surpassing their previous top finish of ninth in both 2012 and 2018. Their 212 points was also the most they’ve ever scored at NCAAs.

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

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