NEW COMMIT: The University of Alabama has been handed a verbal commitment for the 2020-21 season and beyond from Mansfield, Texas native and current high school junior Eric Stelmar.
Stelmar swims year-round with Mansfield Aquatic Club under head coach Cody Huckabay and owns the U.S. Open standards in both backstroke events. He most recently competed at College Station Speedo Sectionals where his highest finish was a fourth-place showing in the 200m back after finishing ninth in that event at Juniors West in December. This past summer, he notched four best times at Austin Speedo Sectionals before going on to win the 100m back and take second in the 200m back at Rochester Futures.
Also competing for Mansfield Legacy High School, Stelmar is a five-time Texas UIL 5A State Championship finalist and has earned USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors. He grabbed silver in the 100 back and bronze in the 200 free as a junior after finishing fifth in the 100 free and eighth in the 100 back during his sophomore season.
He told Swimming World:
“I am thrilled and honored to report my verbal commitment to study and swim at the University of Alabama in the Fall of 2020. When I stepped onto campus, met the team and coaching staff, and absorbed the Crimson Culture, I knew this was the place I wanted to call home. I couldn’t have gotten to this point without the support of family, friends, teammates, and coaches from past and present. Having the opportunity to work with new Head Coach Coley Stickles and the rest of the awesome Alabama coaching team is really a dream come true. I am also extremely grateful for everyone who has helped me along the way and am stoked for what the future holds! ROLL TIDE!”
His best times include:
- 50 back – 23.28
- 100 back – 49.07
- 200 back – 1:45.89
- 50 free – 20.97
- 100 free – 46.12
- 200 free – 1:39.55
Stelmar will add valuable backstroke depth to Alabama’s roster when he arrives in Tuscaloosa as a member of the class of 2024. He will have two years of overlap with Spencer Walker, who scored in the C-final of both backstroke events at the 2019 SEC Championships.
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