3 Athletes Who Will Have Immediate Impact on NCAA Season
As the NCAA Division I swimming season picks up, excitement is bubbling just beneath the surface. Fans and coaches are on the lookout for breakout stars who might steal the spotlight this year. With a mix of fresh faces and seasoned competitors, the competition promises to be fierce. In this article, we’ll dive into a few of the swimmers to watch — talents expected to make a real splash for their teams. Here are three athletes – among many others – who are ready to show the college scene what they can do.
Jacob Wimberly
A standout freshman from Prosper, Texas, competing for the Metroplex Aquatics team, Wimblerly will provide an immediate boost for Texas A&M. Over the summer, Wimberly competed at the Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, giving him racing experience against some of the best athletes in the world. With an impressive time of 1:34.00 in the 200 freestyle, Wimberly has the potential to score for the Aggies at NCAAs. He also features versatility, with a strong 1:44.08 in the 200 IM.
Rex Maurer
The sophomore transferred from Stanford University to the University of Texas, where he’ll be one of several impactful new faces for the Longhorns. At various high-level competitions, such as the U.S. Open, Nationals, and the Pac 12 Championships, Maurer was a finalist in multiple events. With swimming in his genes—he’s the son of Olympic champion and USC head coach Lea Maurer—Maurer has some significant talent. He owns a best time of 4:11.88 in the 500 freestyle, and in his new surroundings, could be primed for a breakout season.
Katie Grimes
A silver medalist in the 400 individual medley at the Olympic Games, Grimes is the newest addition to the University of Virginia’s power-packed roster. She’ll be an immediate factor in the distance freestyles and the 400 IM, where her best time of 3:57.02 would have earned her second place at last year’s NCAA Championships, trailing only Alex Walsh.