NEW COMMIT: Greek National Team member George Tzortzis has verbally committed to swim for the University of Chicago beginning next fall.
Tzortzis is a distance swimmer and open water swimmer. He was the Greek Junior Summer Nationals runner up in the mile. At the Men’s National Championships he finished seventh in the event. He was second at his nation’s Open Water Nationals.
Tzortzis’ best times include:
- 400 Free SCM 4:02.17
- 800 Free LCM 8:25.41
- 1500 Free LCM 15:47.74
Those times convert to (SCY):
- 500 Free 4:35.83
- 100 Free 9:23.53
- 1650 Free 15:24.04
At last year’s UAA Championships Tzortzis’ converted 500 freestyle time would have put him in the B final. Chicago had two freshmen in the top 16: Taye Baldinazzo (4:32.63) and Aaron Guo (4:36.50). They’ll overlap with Tzortzis for two years. His converted 1650 is quick enough to win the event. While a conversion is far from a sure thing, NYU’s Ian Rainey won the event in 15:35.19 last year. No matter how he makes the transition to yards, Tzortzis should still score significant points in the event. At last year’s NCAA Division III championships a 15:24 1650 would have finished fourth.
He said of his decision,
“I am thrilled to continue my academic and swimming career at the University of Chicago. I chose UChicago primarily because of its unparalleled academics and excellent facilities. I would like to thank my team, PAOK Swimming, and my school, Anatolia College, for supporting me in and out of the pool. I cannot wait to become a Maroon!”
Ηλέκτρα Λεμπλ!