{"id":398153,"date":"2019-10-14T12:59:03","date_gmt":"2019-10-14T19:59:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=398153"},"modified":"2019-10-14T12:59:03","modified_gmt":"2019-10-14T19:59:03","slug":"ymca-national-200-back-gold-medalist-sam-wesley-verbally-commits-to-army","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/ymca-national-200-back-gold-medalist-sam-wesley-verbally-commits-to-army\/","title":{"rendered":"YMCA National 200 Back Gold Medalist Sam Wesley Verbally Commits to Army"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEW COMMIT:\u00a0<\/strong>Ridley Park, Penn. native\u00a0Sam Wesley\u00a0<\/strong>has verbally committed to United States Military Academy at West Point and will suit up for the Black Knights as a member of the class of 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n

A U.S. Open qualifier, Wesley does his club swimming with Ridley Area YMCA Stingrays and most recently earned bronze in the 200m IM at YMCA LCM Nationals this past summer where he also registered four additional top-12 finishes. Last winter, he notched 100% best times at Juniors East before going on to win the 200 back at YMCA SCY Nationals in April.<\/p>\n

Also competing for Episcopal Academy, Wesley is a six-time Eastern Interscholastic Championship finalist. The two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American\u00a0took third in the 200 free and fourth in the 100 back as a junior after placing sixth in the 200 IM and seventh in the 100 back during his sophomore season.<\/p>\n

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

“I am thrilled and proud to announce my verbal commitment to continue my education and swimming career at the United States Military Academy at West Point! The combination of stellar academics and competitive athletics, West\u2019s Point\u2019s reputation for leadership development, and the opportunity to serve my country confirmed my decision. I would like to express endless thanks to my family, coaches, friends, and everyone around me who challenged and supported me to get to this point. I cannot wait to be a part of the Black Knights\u2019 swimming and diving family, which is led by a remarkable coaching staff and an encouraging group of cadet swimmers and divers. Go Army! Beat Navy!”<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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