NY State Champion Spencer LaFata Gives Verbal Nod to Duke

Photo Courtesy: Carly Cummings

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Spencer LaFata has verbally committed to the Duke University Blue Devils. Lafata is a distance swimmer for Badger Swim Club in New York.

On his Instagram, LaFata shared, “Super excited and blessed to announce my verbal commitment to swim for Duke University! Can’t wait to be a blue devil!”

His best times are:

200 Free 1:40.52
500 Free 4:27.03
1000 Free 9:11.34
1650 Free 15:21.94

LaFata is a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American who attends Fordham Preparatory School. While his school finished second at the 2016 New York High School state meet, Lafata brought home gold in the 500 free (4:27.03). He was also runner up in the 200 free (1:40.52). At Junior Nationals East last summer, he finished fifth in the 1650. LaFata also earned the 1500 freestyle Olympic Trials qualifying time.

While the Blue Devils finished eighth at ACCs last season, LaFata would have given the team a points bump. With his best time, he would have finished in 16th, earning 11 points, in the mile. He would have finished less than a second out of scoring range in the 500 freestyle. Matthew Johnson (15:08.84) and Riley Hickman (15:09.94) will be the perfect training duo for Johnson to chase. They were Duke’s highest finishers in the mile last season and will be a senior and junior respectively when LaFata moves to Durham in the fall.

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