{"id":493456,"date":"2021-12-15T08:40:10","date_gmt":"2021-12-15T15:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=493456"},"modified":"2021-12-15T08:40:10","modified_gmt":"2021-12-15T15:40:10","slug":"gators-score-2023-verbal-from-new-zealand-national-record-holder-melissa-cowen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/gators-score-2023-verbal-from-new-zealand-national-record-holder-melissa-cowen\/","title":{"rendered":"Gators Score 2023 Verbal From New Zealand National Record Holder Melissa Cowen"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEW COMMIT: <\/b>The University of Florida has received a big verbal commitment for the 2023-24 season from <\/span>Melissa Cowen <\/b>of Auckland, New Zealand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She will join\u00a0Lainy Kruger<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Bella Sims<\/b><\/a>,<\/span> Grace Rainey<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>JoJo Ramey <\/b><\/a>and <\/span>Michaela Mattes<\/b><\/a> in Gainesville as a member of the Gators\u2019 Class of 2027.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cI\u2019m super excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim for The University of Florida in 2023!!! I cannot thank all my family, friends and coaches enough for their support through this process! GO GATORS!!!\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Cowen, who trains with <\/span>North Shore Swimming Club, is the New Zealand SCM national record holder in the 200m breast. Back in April, she swept all three breaststroke events at the New Zealand Age Group Championships after placing fourth in both the 50m breast and 200m breast at New Zealand Nationals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In SCM, her best times include:<\/span><\/p>\n