NEW COMMIT: Ohio University has earned their first verbal commitment for the 2022-23 season and beyond from Futures qualifier Lauren Hartel of Arlington, Va.
She told Swimming World:
“I am super excited to announce my verbal commitment to Ohio University! Thank you so much to my family and coaches for their support. I look forward to growing as a person, swimmer, and student at OU! Go Bobcats!”
A talented freestyler who gets faster as the distance gets longer, Hartel does her club swimming with Arlington Aquatic Club and placed eighth in the 1000 and ninth in the mile at the Potomac Valley 18&U Winter Championships in December.
In Summer 2019, she raced to eighth in the 400m free and ninth in the 400m IM at the PVC LCM 13&O Championships before going on to take third in the 800m free and fourth in the 400m/1500m free at Eastern Zone Age Groups.
Her best times include:
- 200 free – 1:54.39
- 500 free – 4:58.49
- 1000 free – 10:09.58
- 1650 free – 17:12.23
Currently a junior at Yorktown High School, Hartel placed fourth in the 500 free as a sophomore at the Virginia 6A State Championships after taking 10th in that event during her rookie season. At the VHSL Region 6D in 2020, she was the runner-up in the 500 free and finished seventh in the 200 free.
Hartel will add valuable distance freestyle depth when she suits up for the Bobcats as a member of the Class of 2026. She would’ve scored in the B-final of the 500 free as well as placed top-12 in the mile at the 2020 Mid-American Conference Championships.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.