NEW COMMIT: Distance swimmer David Mertz of Santa Rose, Calif. has elected to stay in-state next fall and swim for the University of Southern California.
Mertz swims year-round with Neptune Swimming and owns the Junior National standard in three events. He recorded a pair of best times at Juniors this summer after placing 16th in the mile at TYR Pro Swim Series Santa Clara. He finished 14th in the mile and recorded 100% best times at Juniors West last winter and took home the bronze in the 500 free at the SCSC Senior Open. Also representing Santa Rosa High School, Mertz placed sixth in the 500 free at CIF-North Sections as a junior and has also earned both NISCA and USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors.
Short and sweet, he told Swimming World:
“Fight on!!”
His best times include:
- 200 free – 1:41.34
- 500 free – 4:29.76
- 1000 free – 9:16.39
- 1650 free – 15:28.37
When he arrives in Los Angeles as a member of the class of 2023, Mertz will add valuable depth to a young but talented Trojan distance group that includes Victor Johansson and Owen Kao. His best times would’ve scored in the C-final of the 500 free and placed 16th in the mile at the 2018 Pac-12 Championships where USC finished third overall in the team standings.
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