Jake Lamparella of Eagle Swim Team in Maryland has committed to swim for the University of Wisconsin. Lamparella, who hails from Mt. Hebron High School, will join the Badgers primarily as a backstroker and short freestyler.
“[Lamparella] has had some very nice breakthroughs the last 12 months,” Eagle Swim Team head coach Scott Ward said.
In a year’s time, Lamparella has shown immense improvement. His March 2014 and March 2015 short course times can attest to that:
Event March 2014 March 2015
50 FR 22.50 21.19
100 FR 47.19 46.52
200 FR 1:46.94 1:39.44
100 BK 50.23 49.71
200 BK 1:50.89 1:48.05
Currently, Lamparella’s times are strong and, with continued improvement, should be competitive in Madison. His backstroke times are within striking distance of getting a second swim at the B1G Championships, and he could find himself on a relay with his free times.
At his summer championships last year, Lamparella turned in a solid meet. His 24.74 50-meter free and 53.63 100-meter free were followed by a strong 58.24 in the 100-meter back and a 2:05.80 in the 200-meter back. He hopes to close in on the backstroke Olympic Trial cuts this summer.
Lamparella heads to Wisconsin with plenty of upside. Ward is confident in his swimmer’s upside. “He has a lot left in the tank,” he says, “and should do very well at Wisconsin over the next four years.”
Wisconsin finished fifth at last year’s B1G Championships.