Mallory Comerford – Photo Courtesy: Arena
The news comes at the end of a stellar year for Comerford, who claimed her third straight 200y free NCAA title back in March and told Swimming World at the time: “I Knew This One Would be the Hardest One.”
The Louisville senior, on the way to her debut season as a professional in the International Swimming League for Cali Condors, produced one of the highlights of the 2019 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships.
After tying Katie Ledecky and a year after taking down Simone Manuel for the 2018 crown, Stanford giants matched and felled, Comerford claimed a third victory after taking the battle on from the front.
Back in March, Comerford talked to Swimming World’s Andy Ross about the race between her, Siobhan Haughey and Taylor Ruck and how much she anticipated that coming in to this meet. Comerford also was surprised to hear how fast she was out the first 100 and enjoyed being a part of such a tight race.
Arena issued the following release today on news of the deal with Comerford:
The Arena Three-Diamond Brand
2019 was another memorable year for Mallory Comerford and 2020 is shaping up to be no different.The newly professional American freestyler has chosen to join team arena as she chases her 2020 Olympic dreams, joining a diverse and ambitious stable of exciting U.S. swimmers supported by the global swimwear brand known for their elite performance, innovation, and cutting-edge technology.
Comerford recently made the transition from college to professional athlete and there have been a number of memorable moments and successes to celebrate in 2019. In her final collegiate competition, the University of Louisville senior captured a pair of national titles at the NCAA Division I Championships in the 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle (her third consecutive title in the 200).
Commenting on the partnership ahead of the upcoming U.S. Open Championships in Atlanta, Comerford explained:
“Turning pro this year, I obviously reached out to arena given their success at the global level. I tested the suits and felt comfortable and fast and I really clicked with their leadership team. I love the suits and now can’t imagine competing in anything else.”
The Michigan-native first broke onto the scene in 2017, her sophomore year with the Cardinals, when she tied with five-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky in a dramatic race in the 200-yard free finals at the NCAA Championships. Building on this momentum, she also won her first World Title in 2017 at the FINA
Mallory will be racing in arena’s Powerskin Carbon Flex VX in the upcoming 2019 U.S. Open in Atlanta, Georgia on December 4th – December 7th. After the new year she will be one of the first American athletes competing in the latest innovations in arena Powerskin racing, with the soon to be released Powerskin Carbon Glide and the Powerskin Core FX. As Mallory chases victory in 2020, the different race suits offer enhanced technology to deliver uncompromising speed, optimized body position, and power in the water.
Commenting on Comerford, arena U.S. General Manager Mark Pinger said:
“When I met with Mallory, I immediately knew that she would be a perfect fit for arena. She has a great attitude and wants her actions in the pool to do the talking. Equally important, she loves our products and is confident that she can rely on the best equipment as she prepares to fulfill her Olympic dreams. We are excited to support Mallory in the best way we can.”
Mallory Comerford Photo Courtesy: Arena
Long-Course World Championships in the 4×100 meter freestyle relay, setting a national record on the first leg, before going on to win a gold medal in each of the five relays and breaking the world record in the 4×100 meter mixed freestyle relay.
In 2018, Comerford’s 200-yard free time of 1:39.80 at the NCAA Championships made her just the second woman to break the 1:40.00 mark. She capped off 2018 by breaking three American records and claiming a trio of medals at the FINA Short-Course World Championships. Since turning pro in 2019, the 22-year-old has continued to impress on the world stage with her strong performances for the U.S. relay team. At the 2019 FINA World Championships she took home two gold and two silver medals, helping set a new world-record in the 4×100 mixed freestyle relay.
She currently competes for the Cali Condors in the International Swimming League (ISL). The team is one of four to qualify for the league’s inaugural Championship Finale in Las Vegas, NV on December 20 and 21st, 2019.
Mallory Comerford:
- Born: September 6, 1997; Kalamazoo, MI
- Discipline: Freestyle
- Coach: Steph Juncker/Arthur Albiero
- Club: The University of Louisville and the Cali Condors
- Twitter: @Mal_Comerford
- Instagram: @malcomerford
Career Highlights
- Four-time medalist at the 2019 FINA World Championships: Gold in 4×100 medley relay, Gold in 4×100 mixed freestyle relay, Silver in 4×100 freestyle relay and Silver in 4×100 mixed medley relay
- Claimed her third-consecutive 200y and first career 100y freestyle title at the 2019 NCAA Championships Won Gold in 800 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay at the 2017 FINA World Championships.
- Won Gold in 800 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay at the 2017 FINA World Championships
— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with arena. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.
What does a ‘three-diamonds deal’ mean? I couldn’t find that explained in the article.
Chris: the logo of arena – three diamonds… in Europe, its sometimes referred to as the Three-Diamonds swim brand