West Ottawa’s Derek Maas Pledges Commitment to Alabama

Photo Courtesy: Derek Maas

NEW COMMIT: The University of Alabama has gained a new commitment for the fall of 2019 from Holland, Michigan native Derek Maas.

Maas swims year-round with the West Ottawa Swim Club and owns a trio of U.S. Open standards and five additional Winter Junior cuts. He competed in three events at Winter Nationals earlier this month where his highest finish was a 23rd-place showing in the 200 IM. He posted three best times at Junior Nationals this past summer and was the 200 breast silver medalist and 100 breast bronze medalist at Akron Speedo Sectionals in March.

Also competing for West Ottawa High School, Maas is a four-time Michigan DI State Championship finalist. He won the 100 back and took third in the 200 IM as a junior after placing second and seventh, respectively, in those events as a sophomore. He has also earned NISCA All-American honors twice in his career.

He told Swimming World:

“I chose to commit to Alabama because I think it will be a great fit and they have a great tradition of excellence as well as an amazing coaching staff. I am also excited to swim with my brother, and would like to drop time while at Alabama. I am appreciative of all the help from past and current coaches including Steve Bowyer and Sam Hoekstra. I would also like to thank my teammates and my parents for all of their support.”

His best times include:

100 breast – 55.19
200 breast – 2:00.10
200 IM – 1:49.48
100 back – 50.04
100 fly – 51.05

Maas’ versatility will be extremely useful when he arrives in Tuscaloosa as a member of the class of 2023. Although he currently sits outside of scoring range at the SEC Championships, he has made improvements each season and will join talented training groups that include Richard Miksi and Nicholas Perera.

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

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Susan Green

5 years ago

Welcome! Roll Tide!

Patricia Voelpel-Lang

5 years ago

Roll Tide! Four more years for the Mass family! Congratulations Derek.