NEW COMMIT: Three-time U.S. Open qualifier Holden Smith has pledged his verbal intention to the University of Alabama, giving the Crimson Tide their first Class of 2025 commitment. The Louisville, Ky. native will arrive in Tuscaloosa in the fall of 2021.
Primarily a butterflyer, Smith does his club swimming with Race Pace Club and competed in four events at Junior Nationals after earning 100% best times at the Kentucky LCM Championships this past summer. Last winter he recorded a pair of lifetime bests at Juniors East, placed ninth in the 100 fly at the Southern Premier Invitational, and raced 12 events at NCSAs.
A current junior at Saint Xavier High School, Smith is already a four-time Kentucky State Championship finalist and has earned both NISCA and USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors. An All-State honoree, he won the 100 fly and grabbed bronze in the 200 IM as a sophomore after finishing ninth and fourth, respectively, in those events during his freshman season. He helped his team secure their 31st-straight title last season.
He told Swimming World:
“I am thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and swimming career at the University of Alabama! I want to give special thanks to God, my family, friends, coaches and teachers for their investment in me and my success. I also want to give thanks to AD Greg Byrne for his investment in the swimming program and Coach Coley Stickels and the other coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to be part of something really special that’s about to happen in swimming at the University of Alabama. Roll Tide Roll!”
His best times include:
- 50 fly – 22.81
- 100 fly – 49.11
- 200 fly – 1:50.40
- 200 IM – 1:50.35
- 100 back – 50.31
- 200 back – 1:49.71
At the end of the 2018-19 season, he ranked eighth in the nation for the 100 fly and ninth in the 200 IM for 15-year-old boys. Smith has consistently made improvements each season; over the past two years, he has dropped three seconds in the 100 fly and eight in both the 200 fly and 200 IM.
When he suits up for the Crimson Tide at the start of the 2021-22 season, he’ll add his talents to a fly training group led by Tyler Sesvold, Cole Brown, Nicholas Perera, and Riley Vanmeter. It took a 47.52/1:46.96 to score in both fly events at the 2019 SEC Championships, but Smith is sure to continue improving with just under two years of club swimming still to go.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
Roll Tide Roll!
The tide has reeled in a tremendous recruit—roll tide!!
So proud of you Holden! Years of hard work paying off big time buddy! They are lucky to have you-they have no idea what a young man of character and work ethic they are getting! Shine bright! We love you!