Matt Sates Leaving University of Georgia, Returning to Train in South Africa as Pro Swimmer

Matt Sates -- Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Matt Sates Leaving University of Georgia, Returning to Train in South Africa as Pro Swimmer

During his freshman championship season at the University of Georgia, Matt Sates posted a series of incredible performances, but that will be all for his time as a collegiate athlete. The NCAA champion in the 500-yard freestyle will be leaving Georgia and returning to his hometown of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, where he will resume training under his longtime coach, Wayne Riddin. The Sunday Times in South Africa reported the news.

Additionally, Sates has signed with an agent to become a professional swimmer. NCAA athletes were not allowed to earn profits until this year, when new rules regarding name, image and likeness (NIL) rights took effect.

“I love swimming and for as long as I can remember I dreamed of competing on the world’s biggest stage as a professional,” Sates said a statement, according to the Sunday Times. He also thanked Riddin and his Seals club. “I wouldn’t be where I am without them. I also want to thank everyone at the University of Georgia… as well as my teammates, for giving me the confidence to take this step.”

Sates, 18, was a semifinalist in the 200 IM at the Tokyo Olympics, but he burst onto the international scene in the fall when he set numerous world junior records (short course meters) during the FINA World Cup circuit. Among his notable accomplishments, he beat Kyle Chalmers, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist in the 100 free, in two head-to-head duels in the 200 free. Sates came to the United States in January and immediately had success at Georgia.

He was the SEC champion in the 500 free before he again won the event at the national championships. In that NCAA final, Sates was actually in fifth place at the halfway point, and he still trailed NCAA-record holder Kieran Smith by a second-and-a-half with 150 yards to go, but he blew past the field and recorded a time of 4:06.61, making him the second-fastest performer in history. Sates also placed third in the 200-yard free at NCAAs and helped Georgia to a second-place finish in the 800 free relay and eighth place overall in the team competition.

Read the original story on Sates leaving Georgia from the Sunday Times here.

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