Pony Up! Southern Methodist Adds Verbal Commitments from Russell Exum, Max Zuanich

russell exum max zuanich smu southern methodist

Photo Courtesy: russell exum / max zuanich

NEW COMMITS: Southern Methodist has added two new verbal commitments to their growing class of 2025 from Greenville, N.C. native Russel Exum and local product Max Zuanich of Houston, Texas.

Both talented swimmers will join Cotton Fields, Sawyer Inglis and Angus Corbeau as a member of the Mustangs in the fall of 2021.

Under head coach Greg Rhodenbaugh, SMU finished third overall in the team standings at the 2020 AAC Championships.

RUSSELL EXUM

Photo Courtesy: Russell Exum via CollegeSwimming

Regarding his commitment, he said:

“I am truly humbled by the opportunity that SMU has given me to continue my journey as a swimmer and a student. From day 1, the coaching staff expressed an interest in me that went beyond just swimming and the facilities and campus are bar none. I can’t wait to get to the Hilltop and fight for the Mustangs. Thank you to all of my coaches, friends and family who have supported me throughout. The best is yet to come. #ponyup”

Exum, who owns the U.S. Open cut in the 100 fly, does his club swimming with TAC Titans and placed 10th in the 200m free at Cary Sectionals in March. He achieved numerous times at the Intrasquad meets throughout the summer and earned five best times at North Carolina LCM Seniors last long course season.

His best times include:

100 fly – 49.02
100 free – 46.14
200 free – 1:41.54
500 free – 4:35.03

Also competing for Junius H. Rose High School, Exum is a four-time North Carolina 3A State Championship finalist. The NISCA and USA Swimming Scholastic All-American placed third in the 100 fly and fourth in the 500 free as a junior while taking sixth in the 100 back and 13th in the 200 free during his sophomore season.

MAX ZUANICH

Photo Courtesy: Max Zuanich via CollegeSwimmingMax Zuanich

Regarding his commitment, he said:

“I’m very excited to announce that I’ll be continuing the next phase of my life both academically and athletically at SMU. Thank you to everyone including my friends, family, coaches, and God for helping get to where I am today. I’ve been very fortunate throughout my life to have such amazing people who’ve helped put me on this path to success and I’m thrilled to see what is to come in the following years! #PonyUp”

Primarily a backstroker, Zuanich owns multiple Futures qualifying times and swims year-round with Dads Club Swim Team. He finaled in five events at College Station Sectionals in March and earned six best times at NCSAs last summer where he was a finalist in the 50m back.

His best times include:

50 back – 23.51
100 back – 50.16
200 back – 1:50.25
50 free – 21.20
100 free – 46.22

A current senior at Stratford High School, Zuanich finished 10th in the 100 back and 14th in the 200 free at the Texas 6A State Championships during his junior year. He placed third in both of those events at the UIL 6A Region 04 Championships as well.

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

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