{"id":488044,"date":"2021-09-27T07:00:40","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T14:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=488044"},"modified":"2021-09-27T07:00:40","modified_gmt":"2021-09-27T14:00:40","slug":"kentucky-wildcats-score-third-2023-verbal-from-mississippi-state-record-holder-cassie-howell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/kentucky-wildcats-score-third-2023-verbal-from-mississippi-state-record-holder-cassie-howell\/","title":{"rendered":"Kentucky Wildcats Score Third 2023 Verbal From Mississippi State Record Holder Cassie Howell"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEW COMMIT:\u00a0<\/strong>The University of Kentucky has wasted no time in forming its Class of 2027, recently landing the third verbal commitment from Cassie Howell\u00a0<\/strong>of Madison, Mississippi.<\/p>\n

She will join\u00a0Paige Housman<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and Madi McGlothen<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>in Lexington at the start of the 2023-24 season.<\/p>\n

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

“I am SO excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim & study at the University of Kentucky. It has been a life long dream to swim in college, and I know I\u2019ve found the perfect place to do so! Goooooo wildcats!! ???”<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A talented sprint freestyler and backstroker, Howell trains with Mississippi Makos Swim Team and most recently placed fourth ion the 100m free at Southern Zone Seniors in July after winning five events at the Mississippi Long Course State Championships. She also picked up a trio of wins at the 18&U Winter Championships – LA YNWL back in December after six gold-medal swims at Mississippi Seniors in February 2020.<\/p>\n

Currently a junior at Madison Central High School, Howell is a four-time individual Mississippi State Championship gold medalist. The USA Swimming Scholastic All-American won the 100 free and 100 back as a freshman before going on to defend her titles as a sophomore, leading the Jags to their seventh straight title in 2020.<\/p>\n

Howell owns the Mississippi state record in the 100 back (54.87) which she set in 2019 and then lowered her state mark in the 100 free (50.86) in 2020. She also anchored the state-record 4×100 free relay last season.<\/p>\n

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