Virginia Scores Pair of Verbals from Colin Bitz, Matthew Styczen for Class of 2025

Photo Courtesy: University of Virginia Athletics

NEW COMMITS: The University of Virginia has picked up a pair of verbals for the fall of 2021 from Colin Bitz and Matthew Styczen who announced their commitments via CollegeSwimming. They will arrive in Charlottesville as members of the Hoos’ class of 2025.

Both swimmers will add valuable depth when they suit up for the Cavaliers at the start of the 2021-22 season. Under head coach Todd DeSorbo, Virginia placed fourth in the team standings at the ACC Championships and finished 10th overall at NCAAs last season.

COLIN BITZ

Hailing from Owings Mills, Md., Bitz swims year-round with Eagle Swim Team and owns five U.S. Open standards. The NISCA All-American registered five top-12 finishes at NCSAs this past summer where his highest finish was a third-place showing in the 200m back and he walked away with six new best times. He placed 20th in the 200m back at Winter Nationals, earned silver in the 200 back and bronze in the 200 fly at Maryland Seniors, and finaled in seven events at NCSAs last short course season.

Regarding his commitment, he said:

“I’m so excited and honored to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and swimming career at the University of Virginia! I want to thank my coaches, family, and friends for the endless support which has gotten me to where I am today. Go Hoos! #wahoowa #shift2021”

His best times include:

50 back – 23.17
100 back – 49.29
200 back – 1:48.08
100 fly – 52.75
200 fly – 1:49.61
200 IM – 1:50.98
400 IM – 3:55.45

MATTHEW STYCZEN

A native of Saylorsburg, Penn. Styczsen does his club swimming with NYS Aquatics, Inc. and owns seven Junior National standards. The two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American capped off his successful summer season by racing four events at Junior Nationals after registering six top-8 finishes at Metropolitan LCM Seniors. Last winter he finished 11th in the 400 IM at Juniors East, notched five lifetime bests at Metropolitan SCY Seniors, and was the 500 free and 400 IM runner-up at Ithaca Sectionals.

Regarding his commitment, he said:

“I’m very excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Virginia! I want to thank my coaches, teammates, and parents for helping me along the way. Go Hoos! #shift2021 #wahoowa”

His best times include:

200 free – 1:40.96
500 free – 4:29.53
1000 free – 9:10.82
1650 free – 15:55.24
200 back – 1:50.45
200 breast – 2:05.55
100 fly – 50.56
200 IM – 1:52.44
400 IM – 3:52.75

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

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