Raleigh’s Grace Countie has given her verbal commitment to swim for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill beginning in the fall of 2018. Countie is a sprint freestyler and backstroker. She trains with the Marlins of Raleigh and is a junior at Leesville Road High School.
At this year’s NCHSAA 4A state championships Countie captured the 50 freestyle state record in 22.60. She made it a sprint double, also taking the 100 freestyle crown.
Her current best times are:
- 50 Free 22.37
- 100 Free 49.53
- 50 Back 25.06
- 100 Back 53.70
- 200 Back 1:58.14
Her best backstroke times and the 50 freestyle are all recent, as she swam them at NCSA Juniors in March. Countie was the NCSA National Champion in that 50 free.
With nearly two years until her first championship season for Carolina, Countie is already primed to make a splash for the Tarheels. At this year’s ACC Championship she would have been a 50 freestyle B finalist and Carolina’s third fastest performer at the meet. She also would have been the team’s fourth best 100 backstroker and a B finalist. In both of those events, the swimmers faster than Countie will have graduated by her arrival in Chapel Hill.
Countie explained why Chapel Hill is where she wants to spend the next four years,
“I chose to continue my swimming and academic career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill because it feels like a home away from home. Coming from a home with parents who swam there, I was exposed to many football and basketball games at a young age. I feel as if I grew up there. The coaches are what I am looking for, for my future in the sport, and the atmosphere on the team and in the classroom is something I can see myself being a part of. Go Heels!”
Countie’s club teammate Madison Homovich also recently gave an early verbal commitment to the University of Georgia.
https://twitter.com/GraceCountie/status/861384216352882689
To report a verbal commitment email HS@swimmingworld.com.
