NEW COMMIT: The United States Military Academy at West Point has picked up their first early verbal commitment for the 2021-22 season and beyond from Santa Rosa, Calif. native and Futures qualifier Rea Smith.
Smith does her club swimming with Crow Canyon Country Club Sharks and capped off her summer season with a silver medal in the 100m free at Far Westerns after recording a pair of best times at Santa Clarita Sectionals. Last winter, she raced six events at Carlsbad Sectionals before going on to register five top-8 finishes at Far Westerns. When she competed for Technology High School, Smith placed 11th in the 200 free at the CIF North Coast Section Championships during her freshman season. She’s currently a junior at California Connections Academy – North Bay.
She told Swimming World:
“Duty, Honor, Country” I am honored to announce my verbal commitment to swim for the United States Military Academy at West Point. I chose The Point for its academic excellence in nuclear engineering, its military training in the profession of arms, and its hard-charging dynamic swim program in an elite athletic environment. I would like to thank Hannah DeRousseau (SRN) who taught me how to swim, Ethan Hall and Joe Natina (CROW) for their exceptional coaching and leadership, Crow Canyon Sharks, CalCA-North Bay, Karen Allen, and my family. I am excited to become a Black Knight and join Coach Brandt, his outstanding staff, my future teammates, and the Corps of Cadets! HOOAH! GO ARMY! BEAT NAVY!”
Her best times include:
- 50 free – 24.12
- 100 free – 52.18
- 200 free – 1:52.22
- 500 free – 5:03.27
Even with 1.5 years of club swimming still to go, Smith will have a valuable impact both individually and on freestyle relays when she suits up for Army. She would’ve scored in the B-final of the 200 free at the 2019 Patriot League Championships where Army finished second overall in the team standings.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
