Virginia Gators’ Joel Giraudeau Announces Verbal to Tennessee

Photo Courtesy: Joel Giraudeau

NEW COMMIT: The University of Tennessee has earned a new verbal commitment from Roanoke, Va. butterflyer and IMer Joel Giraudeau who will join the Vols as a member of the class of 2023. Both of his parents swam for the University of Nebraska.

Giraudeau swims year-round with Virginia Gators Swim Club (Roanoke) and is the owner of a pair of Winter Junior cuts with the U.S. Open standard in the 200m fly. He capped off his long course season with four top-10 finishes at the ISCA Senior Championships where his highest finish was a third-place showing in the 200m IM. He notched two best times in both fly events at Juniors East last winter and was a six-time finalist at ISCA Junior Nationals.

He told Swimming World:

“Excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Tennessee! I want to thank my family and coaches for the enormous role they played in supporting me throughout my time swimming and helping me get to where I am today. I’m looking forward to being a part of an amazing team and continuing to improve under the best coaches. Go Vols!”

His best times include:

50 free – 21.28
100 free – 46.77
50 fly – 22.57
100 fly – 49.65
200 fly – 1:50.53
200 IM – 1:49.43

Giraudeau has made great strides over the course of one season, taking a second off his 100 fly, four from his 200 fly and nine seconds off his 200 IM. When he suits up for the Vols in the fall of 2019, he’ll join a fly group that includes Mark Hinawi and Braga Verhage as well as an IM group led by Owen Devine. Tennessee finished fourth overall at the 2018 SEC Championships.

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

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Michelle Leftwich Smith

5 years ago

Congratulations Joel!!!

Michelle Leftwich Smith

5 years ago

Congratulations Joel!!!

Marty Winn

5 years ago

Congratulations Joel. I’m sure you will do great. We’ll be cheering you on.