NEW COMMITS: Denison University has added three new valuable additions for the Big Red’s class of 2025 from Lucas Conrads (Naperville, Ill.), Tyler Distenfeld (Mechanicsburg, Pa.), and Elijah Venos (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.).
All three talented swimmers will arrive in Granville at the start of the 2021-22 season.
LUCAS CONRADS
Photo Courtesy: Lucas Conrads Instagram (@lucas.conrads)
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am very delighted to announce my commitment to continue my academics and athletics at Denison University! I would like to give a tremendous thank you to my parents, friends, and coaches for assisting me through everything along this journey. Im excited to be apart of such an amazing team!! #gobigred!!”
Conrads swims year-round with Fox Valley Swim Team and most recently placed seventh in the 200 IM and eighth in the 100 back at Illinois Seniors where he notched four best times. He placed 23rd in the mile and 24th in the 500 free at Juniors West in December and raced to seventh in the 800m free at NCSAs last summer.
His best times include:
- 200 free – 1:40.80
- 500 free – 4:28.46
- 1000 free – 9:21.58
- 1650 free – 15:40.31
- 200 IM – 1:52.69
Also competing for Waubonsie Valley High School, Conrads has competed at the Illinois State Championships the last three years. He placed fifth in the 500 free and 10th in the 200 free as a junior while taking ninth in the former event during his sophomore season.
TYLER DISTENFELD
Photo Courtesy: Tyler Distenfeld Instagram (tilo_the_swimmer)
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am very excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Denison University! I would like to thank my parents, friends, and coaches for everything that they have done for me. #gobigred”
Primarily a middle distance freestyler, Distenfeld does his club swimming with West Shore YMCA and raced the 200/500 free combo at YMCA Nationals in April 2019. Last summer, he recorded eight best times at Middle Atlantic LCM Seniors where his highest finish was a 17th-place showing in the 200m back.
His best times include:
- 200 free – 1:42.69
- 500 free – 4:36.63
- 100 back – 54.01
- 200 back – 1:57.77
A current senior at Cumberland Valley, Distenfeld has raced at the Pennsylvania 3A State Championships the last two years. He placed 13th in the 500 free in his sophomore season and took fifth in the 500 free and sixth in the 200 free as a junior at the PIAA District 03 3A Championships.
ELIJAH VENOS
Photo Courtesy: Elijah Venos via CollegeSwimming
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and swimming career at Denison University. I chose Denison because of their outstanding academic programs and their exceptional swimming team. I would like to thank my parents and all my coaches that have helped me on this journey. #gobigred!”
Venos trains year-round with Atlantic Swimming and earned a best time in the 100 breast at Juniors East in December. He had an incredibly strong showing at NCSAs last long course season where he achieved three best times and finaled in both the 50m and 200m breast.
His best times include:
- 50 breast – 27.22
- 100 breast – 57.75
- 200 breast – 2:09.71
- 100 free – 47.78
- 200 free – 1:42.74
While competing for Brother Rice High School, Venos finished 16th in the 100 breast at the Michigan DI State Championships in 2019. He also won the 200 free and secured bronze in the 100 free in 2020 at the Catholic League Championships.
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