Virginia Cavaliers Keep Distance Ace Sophia Knapp In State for Class of 2026

Photo Courtesy: Sophia Knapp Instagram (@sophiaknappp)

NEW COMMIT: The University of Virginia has received another verbal commitment for fall of 2022 from in-state standout Sophia Knapp of Virginia Beach, Va.

She will join Izzy Bradley, Claire Tuggle and Zoe Skirboll as a member of the Cavaliers’ class of 2026.

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Virginia! Thank you to my family, coaches, and friends for supporting me along the way. Go Hoos!!?? #wahoowa”

A talented freestyler who gets faster as the distance gets longer, Knapp trains year-round with TIDE Swimming and is a U.S. Open qualifier. She achieved four best times at Juniors East in December and placed fifth in both the 500 free and the mile at Virginia Seniors in March.

In summer 2019, she posted five top-5 finishes at Virginia LCM Age Groups before going on to place seventh in the 800m free, 10th in the 1500m free, and 14th in the 400m free.

Her best times include:

100 free – 52.35
200 free – 1:49.18
500 free – 4:50.10
1000 free – 9:57.71
1650 free – 16:54.78

Currently a junior at First Colonial High School, Knapp is already a a four-time Virginia State Championship finalist. She was the 500 free runner-up and placed third in the 200 free as a sophomore at the 5A meet while taking fourth and ninth, respectively, in those events during her freshman season at the 6A meet.

In 2020, she grabbed two gold medals as a member of First Colonial’s 4×50 free and 4×100 free relays. Knapp has also earned USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors for her efforts in the pool and in the classroom.

When she arrives in Charlottesville at the start of the 2022-23 season, Knapp will join a distance group led by Emma Weyant, Maddie Donohoe, and Caroline Pennington. She would’ve placed in the top-25 in both the 500 free and the mile at the 2020 ACC Championships.

Under head coach Todd DeSorbo, Virginia dominated the ACC Championships last season. The Cavaliers placed sixth at the 2019 NCAA Championships and were seeded to win the national title in 2020 before the meet was canceled due the coronavirus pandemic.

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

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Jamie Knapp

3 years ago

Congrats!!