NEW COMMIT: The University of Tennessee has been handed a verbal commitment for the 2020-21 season and beyond from rising senior Nicola Lane of Centerville, Ohio.
Primarily a backstroker, Lane owns a pair of Summer Juniors cuts and swims year-round with Mason Manta Rays. She earned four best times at the Southern Premier Invitational in March where she grabbed bronze in the 200 back after placing 20th in that event at Juniors East in December. Last summer, she raced both backstroke events at Junior Nationals and took 16th in the 200m back at the TYR Pro Swim Series – Columbus.
Also competing for Centerville High School, Lane is a five-time Ohio State Championship finalist who has earned both NISCA and USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors. She placed third in the 100 back and eighth in the 200 free as a junior after finishing eighth in the former event as well as fifth in the 500 free during her sophomore season.
She told Swimming World:
“After making an official visit it was clear this was the place for me, everything felt right. From the coaches, to the facilities, to the campus and academics, to my future teammates. Proud to be a Volunteer!”
Her best times include:
- 50 back – 25.95
- 100 back – 54.83
- 200 back – 1:57.93
- 200 IM – 2:07.26
- 400 IM – 4:28.20
When she arrives in Knoxville as a member of the class of 2024, Lane will provide much-needed backstroke depth following the graduation of Erika Brown and Meghan Small. Although she’s just shy of scoring range at the SEC Championships, Lane has continuously made improvements over the past two seasons, dropping three seconds in the 100 back and six in the 200 back.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
