Abbie Alvarez and Mary Catherine Jurica verbally commit to Houston.
NEW COMMITS: The University of Houston has added two new in-state verbal commitments for the 2021-22 season and beyond from Katy native Abbie Alvarez and Mary Catherine Jurica of Houston.
Both swimmers will join Alyssa Bloser, Keely Rollinson, and Emma Wright as a member of the Cougars’ class of 2025.
ABBIE ALVAREZ
Photo Courtesy: Abbie Alvarez
She told Swimming World:
“I’m so excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim & study at the University of Houston!! I’d like to thank my coaches, teammates, & my family for helping me get to where I am. Go coogs!!❤️?”
A talented breaststroker and butterflyer, Alvarez does her club swimming with Katy Aquatics and is a Junior National qualifier. She most recently won three events at the Gulf Short Course Championships in March while earning two best times at Juniors West in December. Last summer, she finaled in the 50m fly and 200m breast at NCSAs.
Her best times include:
- 100 breast – 1:03.66
- 200 breast – 2:18.24
- 100 fly – 55.51
- 200 fly – 2:02.09
- 200 IM – 2:03.00
Also competing for Taylor High Scbool, Alvarez is a five-time Texas 6A State Championship finalist. The USA Swimming Scholastic All-American placed ninth in both the 100 breast and 200 IM as a junior while taking seventh and 11th, respectively, in those events during her sophomore season.
MARY CATHERINE JURICA
Photo Courtesy: Mary Catherine Jurica Instagram (@mcjurica)
Regarding her commitment, she said:
“so excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim for the University of Houston!! thank you to my family, friends, and team for helping me through this process. Go Coogs!!!!?❤️”
An extremely versatile freestyler who also owns multiple Junior National cuts, Jurica swims year-round with Houston Cougar and finished 18th in the 500 free and 19th in the 200 free at Juniors West in December. She won the 800m free at Southern Zone Seniors last long course season where she also placed second in the 400m free and third in the 1500m free.
Her best times include:
- 50 free – 23.64
- 100 free – 50.92
- 200 free – 1:48.87
- 500 free – 4:51.98
- 1000 free – 19:02.46
- 1650 free – 16:44.62
Under head coach Ryan Wochomurka, Houston won their fourth-straight conference title at the 2020 American Athletic Championships.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
Yay Abbie!!! Congrats!