NEW COMMIT: The University at Buffalo has received their first early verbal commitment for the 2022-23 season and beyond from Futures qualifier Karen Austin of Southfield, Mich.
She told Swimming World:
“I’m ecstatic to announce my verbal commitment to the University at Buffalo to swim and study neuroscience! I can’t wait to be a part of the Bulls family. Thank you Coach Andy and Coach Bridgette for welcoming me to the team. I am grateful to my parents, teammates, and coaches for the endless hours of support over the past few years, especially this last one. Horns up!”
A versatile swimmer, Austin trains year-round with Atlantis Swimming and earned silver in the 1500m free at the ISCA International Senior Cup where she also placed fifth in the 800m free and seventh in the 400m IM. She also won the 50 free and 100 breast at the Michigan Junior Olympics in February 2020.
Photo Courtesy: Karen Austin
Her best times include:
- 200 free – 1:53.85
- 500 free – 4:58.35
- 100 back – 58.71
- 200 back – 2:05.00
- 200 IM – 2:07.40
- 400 IM – 4:26.63
A rising senior at Wylie E. Groves High School, Austin is a six-time individual Michigan DII State Championship finalist. She finished second in the 500 free and fifth in the 200 IM as a junior while taking sixth and third, respectively, in those events during her sophomore season.
Under coaches Andy Bashor and Bridgette Alexander, Buffalo won their first MAC Championship title in program history in 2021. Austin would’ve scored in the B-final of the 400 IM and 500 free at last season’s conference meet.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
Congratulations