Carson Foster made the difficult decision to say goodbye to the Mason Manta Rays on Thursday as he told Swimming World he will be moving early to Austin, Texas to get a jump on his college life at the University of Texas. Foster made an Instagram post thanking head coach Ken Heis and the Manta Rays for making his last five years with the club so enjoyable.
Foster’s arrival in Austin has been much anticipated since he made the decision to commit in just his sophomore year. He will be joining his brother Jake who is just one year ahead of him and qualified for NCAAs this season in three events. Carson is likely to make a big impact for a Texas team that was seeded to win the national championship this year before the meet ultimately got cancelled to slow down the coronavirus pandemic.
Carson Foster (right) with brother Jake at the US Nationals in August 2019. Photo Courtesy: Connor Trimble
Foster’s best times put him near the top of the national rankings in both IM’s, and a year in Austin should help him develop in other events where he is needed. The Longhorns have not been back in the water yet for organized practice, but an early jump on life in Austin would be beneficial for Foster as he strives for a spot on next year’s Olympic team. With no meets in sight for the next few months, he will be making a pit stop training at Nitro Swimming in Austin until he can enroll in a class at UT and join the Longhorns in the water when they go back.
Carson Foster had a lot of momentum building towards the Olympic Trials that were scheduled for this summer before COVID-19 shifted everything back a whole year. In the coming hours after the announcement of the Games moving to 2021, Foster told Swimming World:
“Changing up training is obviously not what you want to do before an Olympic year but I am confident that a year down at Texas is only going to make me better and I’m not worried about it.
“I am sad to have to leave Mason behind next year. I know that was something Ken (Heis) and I were really excited about to try and make a push for the Olympic team as a club swimmer and especially do it for the city of Mason because of all of the stuff they have provided for me and all the ways they have helped our team.”
“I’m bummed about that but I have 100% confidence in Eddie and Wyatt and that team and training environment so the plan as of now unless something drastic happens, I will still be heading down to Texas next fall.”
In 2019, Carson Foster was ranked fourth in the US in the 400 IM, fifth in the 200 IM and 13th in the 200 free. As a rising 18-year-old, he is still a popular spoiler pick to make the Olympic Team in 2021.
HoOk’Em ??
Good luck, Carson!
A fantastic kid, going to a fantastic place and coach, coming from a fantastic program and coaching staff! Best wishes to Carson!
Good luck
Kerry Price Drayer