{"id":397325,"date":"2019-10-08T03:51:46","date_gmt":"2019-10-08T10:51:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=397325"},"modified":"2019-10-08T07:39:54","modified_gmt":"2019-10-08T14:39:54","slug":"tennessee-earns-2021-verbal-from-national-junior-teamer-summer-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/tennessee-earns-2021-verbal-from-national-junior-teamer-summer-smith\/","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee Earns 2021 Verbal from National Junior Teamer Summer Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEW COMMIT:\u00a0<\/strong>The University of Tennessee has officially entered into the Class of 2025 recruiting game, picking up a huge verbal commitment from\u00a0Summer Smith<\/strong>. The Agawam, Mass. native will arrive in Knoxville at the start of the 2021-22 season.<\/p>\n

Smith swims year-round with Bluefish Swim Club under Chuck Batchelor<\/strong> and Nick Rice<\/strong>, the same club that produced three-time Olympian Elizabeth<\/strong> Beisel<\/strong>. Currently a high school junior, Smith owns eight U.S. Open standards. She is coming off a stellar summer long course season where she was named to the 2019-20 USA Swimming National Junior team.<\/p>\n

At Junior Nationals this past summer, she was the runner-up in the 1500m free with three additional top-12 finishes after racing three events at Phillips 66 Nationals. She also earned gold in the 400m IM\/800m free, silver in the 200m back\/200m fly, and bronze in the 400m free at New England LCM Seniors. Her 800m free set a new NE 15-16 LSC record.<\/p>\n

Last winter, Smith earned a pair of best times at Winter Nationals where her highest finish was a ninth-place showing in the 800m free. She then went on to earn four victories at New England SCY Seniors, including setting a NE 15-16 LSC record in the mile. The two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American registered six top-5 finishes at Indianapolis Speedo Sectionals in March, taking the top spot in the 200m back.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI am beyond honored and excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and swimming journey at the University of Tennessee!!! I want to thank my coaches, family, friends and teachers for their support along the way. Sooo proud to be a part of the Volunteer family!!”<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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