US national team member Erica Sullivan has re-committed to the University of Texas, and will join the team next year. Sullivan originally committed to the University of Southern California out of high school, but withdrew her commitment after the departure of open water Olympic coach Catherine Kase.
“I am excited to work with Carol (Capitani) in the future, for she has shown immense support of my career path and I’m excited to see what we will accomplish together in the future,” Sullivan told Swimming World. “I am also excited to work with Mitch (Dalton) again after our previous memories from Junior Team trips. Texas is the perfect place where I can balance my swim career and my job path post swimming.
“I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all those who showed interest in me throughout my college recruiting process the second time around. I am grateful for the time and effort spent talking to me about my future. It was nice to have coaches see what was best for me rather than just what I could do for them.
“With that being said, I look forward to training with an incredible group of women. Hook ’em!”
Erica Sullivan will be a big boost to the Longhorns as she is ranked second all-time in the 1650 with her 15:23 last December. Her best 500 free time is a 4:37.95 from December 2018, which would have put her in the B-Final at the 2019 NCAAs. The 200 freestyle could potentially be her third event at the NCAA level as her best stands at 1:45.72 from December 2018.
The women’s 1500 freestyle will be making its Olympic debut in Tokyo, with a lot of eyes on world record holder and three-time World Champ Katie Ledecky leading the charge for the American women. In the early days of 2020, Sullivan was ranked second in the world in the 1500 freestyle, ahead of Worlds silver medalist Sarah Kohler.
She will join a Texas team that qualified five swimmers to the 2020 NCAA meet and only lost one senior from that group. The Longhorns also have a strong freshman class this season in Olivia Bray, Grace Cooper and Anna Elendt, among others.
Erica Sullivan’s Best Times (SCY / LCM)
- 200 free: 1:45.72 / 1:59.99
- 500 free: 4:37.95 / 4:06.36
- 1650 free: 15:23.81 / 15:55.25
- 200 back: 1:55.26 / 2:12.94
- 200 fly: 2:00.67 / 2:14.83
- 400 IM: 4:18.00 / 4:48.97
Texas Incoming Freshmen Class For 2021:
When did she graduate HS? By the time she actually enrolls somewhere she will be 21!