{"id":458098,"date":"2020-12-23T17:48:26","date_gmt":"2020-12-24T00:48:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=458098"},"modified":"2020-12-28T05:17:30","modified_gmt":"2020-12-28T12:17:30","slug":"massachusetts-di-state-champion-ella-smith-announces-2022-verbal-commitment-to-minnesota","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/massachusetts-di-state-champion-ella-smith-announces-2022-verbal-commitment-to-minnesota\/","title":{"rendered":"Massachusetts DI State Champion Ella Smith Announces 2022 Verbal Commitment to Minnesota"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEW COMMIT:\u00a0<\/strong>Chicopee, Mass. native and U.S. Open qualifier Ella Smith\u00a0<\/strong>has given the University of Minnesota their second early verbal commitment for the fall of 2022.<\/p>\n

She will join Faith Johnson<\/a>\u00a0<\/b>of Menomonee Falls, Wis. as a member of the Golden Gophers’ Class of 2026.<\/p>\n

Regarding her commitment, she said:<\/p>\n

“I am WICKED excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim at the University of Minnesota!!! I chose Minnesota because it is home to an incredible coaching staff. They have done an amazing job establishing a team culture that truly feels like a family. This program is not only outstandingly successful in the pool, but is perfect for me as a person and as a swimmer. I cannot wait to become a part of this amazing family!! Go Gophers! \"?\"\"\u303d\ufe0f\"“<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Primarily a breaststroker, Smith trains with Bluefish Swim Club and most recently won the 200 breast with four additional top-8 finishes at the 18&U Winter Championships in Massachusetts after competing at the Toyota U.S. Open in Richmond. Back in March, she was the runner-up in the 200m breast at Plantation Sectionals.<\/p>\n

In Summer 2019, she swept both breaststroke events at New England LCM Seniors before going on to race four events at Junior Nationals.<\/p>\n

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