NEW COMMIT: Texas A&M University has gained a pair of verbal commitments for the 2020-21 season and beyond from Kingwood, Texas’ Abigail Ahrens and Northport, New York’s Chloe Stepanek.
Both swimmers will add valuable depth in their respective events when they arrive in College Station as members of the class of 2024. The Aggies won their fourth-straight SEC team title this past season.
Abigail Ahrens
Photo Courtesy: Troy Ahrens
Primarily a backstroker, Ahrens does her club swimming with Blue Tide Aquatics and owns the Winter Nationals cut in the 100 back with the U.S. Open standard in the 200 back. She most recently competed at College Station Speedo Sectionals where her highest finish was an 11th-place showing in the 100m back after finishing 17th in the 200 back at Juniors West in December. This past summer, she won the 100m back and was the 200m back runner-up at the Southern Zone Senior Championships.
Also competing for Kingwood High School, Ahrens is a four-time Texas UIL 6A State Championship finalist. She finished second in the 100 back and 15th in the 200 IM as a junior after finishing 14th in the latter as well as 16th in the 500 free during her sophomore season.
She told Swimming World:
“Howdy!!! I am so blessed to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at Texas A&M University!! A huge shoutout to my family, friends, coaches, and teammates for their unconditional support on this journey!! I can’t wait to be a part of such and amazing team!! Gig ‘em”
Her best times include:
- 50 back – 25.80
- 100 back – 54.56
- 200 back – 1:57.36
- 200 IM – 2:04.16
- 400 IM – 4:24.35
Chloe Stepanek
Photo Courtesy: Chloe Stepanek
A talented freestyler, Stepanek swims year-round with Long Island Aquatic Club and owns a pair of U.S. Open cuts with four additional Winter Junior standards. She was the 200 free runner-up at NCSAs this past March after placing ninth in that event at Winter Nationals. She capped off her successful long course season by racing a pair of events at Phillips 66 Nationals and took 12th in the 200m free at Junior Nationals.
While representing Northport Senior High School, Stepanek is an eight-time New York Federation Championships finalist. The NISCA and USA Swimming Scholastic All-American won the 100/200 free combo during both her sophomore and junior seasons after placing fifth and second, respectively, in those events during her freshman campaign.
She told Swimming World:
“Howdy!! I’m happy to announce my verbal commitment to continue swimming and studying at Texas A&M University! I’m so excited to become an Aggie and be part of an amazing team! Gig’em”
Her best times include:
- 50 free – 23.18
- 100 free – 49.32
- 200 free – 1:46.79
- 500 free – 4:50.04
- 100 back – 55.45
- 100 fly – 55.30
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
