{"id":351826,"date":"2019-02-13T19:00:40","date_gmt":"2019-02-14T02:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=351826"},"modified":"2019-02-13T19:00:40","modified_gmt":"2019-02-14T02:00:40","slug":"texas-am-secures-first-2020-verbal-from-breaststroker-alaya-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/texas-am-secures-first-2020-verbal-from-breaststroker-alaya-smith\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas A&M Secures First 2020 Verbal from Breaststroker Alaya Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEW COMMIT:\u00a0<\/strong>Rockwall, Texas breaststroker\u00a0Alaya Smith\u00a0<\/strong>has given Texas A&M their first verbal commitment as part of of the class of 2024.<\/p>\n

Smith, who has the U.S. Open cut in the 100 breast, does her club swimming with Rockwall Aquatic Center of Excellence under head coach Neil Walker<\/strong>. She placed 11th in the 100 breast at Juniors West in December and raced that event at Junior Nationals this past summer as well. Smith finished fourth in her signature event at College Station Speedo Sectionals last March.<\/p>\n

While competing for Rockwall-Heath High School, the NISCA All-American placed third in the 100 breast at the Texas UIL 6A State Championships during her sophomore season. Currently attending\u00a0iUniversity Prep online, Smith will be back at Rockwall-Heath for her senior year.<\/p>\n

She told\u00a0Swimming World:<\/em><\/p>\n

“I know this is an awful picture of me but just look past it, so I can announce my verbal commitment to continue my swimming career in 2020 at Texas A&M!!!!\u00a0I want to give a big thanks to my teammates, friends, family, parents and most importantly to all my coaches throughout the years and Coach Neil Walker and Stewart who helped me get to where I am right now.”<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Her best times include:<\/p>\n