NEW COMMIT: The University of Kentucky has landed a big verbal commitment from Canadian National Teamer Emma Finlin of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada who will arrive in Lexington in the fall of 2024.
Taylor Grimley has also announced her commitment to the Wildcats’ Class of 2028.
Regarding her commitment, she said:
“I’m stoked to announce my verbal commitment to pursue my academic and athletic career at the University of Kentucky!! I have had the privilege of being supported by amazing family, friends, and coaches along the way and I am forever grateful for them. I can’t wait to start my career as a Wildcat.”
A distance standout, Finlin most recently competed at the Junior Pan Pac Championships where she placed sixth in both the 800m free and 1500m free as well as 10th in the 400m IM. A month prior, she won four events at the Canadian Junior/Senior Championships in addition to claiming the open water title for the 15-17 age group.
At the 2022 FINA World Championships in Budapest, she was a member of Canada’s mixed 5km open water relay that finished 11th and took 28th in the 5km open water race as an individual.
In June, Finlin posted four top-8 finishes at the Mel Zajac Junior International Meet. She collected gold in the 800m free and 400m IM at the Speedo Western Canadian Championships and finished third in both the 800m/1500m free at the Canadian Swimming Trials.
Finlin, who trains with Edmonton Keyano Swim Club under head coach Paul Birmingham, was also a two-time gold medalist
In LCM, her best times include:
- 400m free – 4:16.27
- 800m free – 8:42.54
- 1500m free – 16:40.90
- 400m IM – 4:48.44
In SCY, those times convert to:
- 500 free – 4:44.97
- 1000 free – 9:50.47
- 1650 free – 16:25.88
- 400 IM – 4:12.67
Kentucky is coming off yet another successful season in 2021-22. They concluded the SEC Championships as the team runner-up with 1043 points, their second-highest finish and second-most point total ever at the SEC Championships. The Wildcats’ NCAA finish of 12th with 115.5 points matched their second-best team finish and marked the second-most points scored in school history.
The 2020-21 season was also one of the history books for the UK women’s team, culminating with the Wildcats winning their first-ever SEC title with a program-record 1,124 points under head coach Lars Jorgensen.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
