NEW COMMIT: The University of Florida has landed a huge verbal commitment for the fall of 2023 from U.S. National Junior Teamer Josh Parent of Wilbraham, Massachusetts.
He will join Sunshine State native Andrew Taylor in Gainesville as a member of the Gators’ Class of 2027.
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am BEYOND excited to announce my verbal commitment to further my academic and athletic career at the University of Florida! I would like to thank my family, friends, teachers and coaches for their endless support. Most of all I would like to thank my coach, Nick Rice for helping me on this journey. Thank you to the UF coaching staff for giving me this opportunity. I’m psyched to be part of Gator Nation! GO GATORS!!”
Parent, trains year-round with Bluefish Swim Club, was selected to represent Team USA at the FINA World Cup stops in Berlin and Budapest. He finished fifth in both the 400m IM and 1500m free in Budapest after taking seventh in the former event in Berlin.
At Wave II of Olympic Trials in Omaha, Parent placed 14th in both the 400m IM and 1500m free. He won four events at New England 15&O Championships before going on to claim three golds at Richmond Futures. Last November, he won the 400m IM and 800m free at the U.S. Open in Richmond.
His best times include:
- 1650 free – 15:20.71
- 1000 free – 9:10.77
- 500 free – 4:28.70
- 200 free – 1:39.51
- 200 IM – 1:49.93
- 400 IM – 3:50.36
- 200 fly – 1:48.43
Florida knows how to produce distance and IM stars, so Parent will be in good hands under head coach Anthony Nesty when he suits up for the Gators at the start of the 2023-24 season. Although he won’t overlap with Bobby Finke and Kieran Smith, he’ll be able to train with Jace Crawford, Jack VanDuesen, and Oskar Lindholm.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
