NEW COMMITS: The University of Iowa has scored a pair of verbal commitments from Megan Hartlieb of Mequon, Wis. and Crystal, Minn. native Brecken Merkel. Both swimmers will join Noelle Harvey in the Hawkeyes’ class of 2025.
Hartlieb, a sprint freestyler, and Merkel, a butterflyer/IMer, will both add valuable depth to Iowa’s lineup when they arrive on campus in the fall of 2021.
MEGAN HARTLIEB
Photo Courtesy: Megan Hartlieb Instagram (@meganhartlieb)
Hartlieb, who owns a pair of Winter Juniors cuts, does her club swimming with Schroeder YMCA Swim Team and most recently raced the 50m/100m free combo at Junior Nationals this past summer after earning a best time at Minneapolis Sectionals. She competed in the 50m free at Winter Nationals last short course season and placed seventh in the 100 free at Y Nationals. A current junior at Homestead High School, Hartlieb finished 10th in the 200 IM and 14th in the 100 back during her rookie campaign at the Wisconsin DI State Championships.
Regarding her commitment, she said:
“I’m so excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Iowa! A big thank you to my family, coaches, and teammates for everything along the way!! I can’t wait to be a Hawkeye!!”
Her best times include:
- 50 free – 23.21
- 100 free – 50.43
- 200 free – 1:51.90
- 200 back – 2:04.36
BRECKEN MERKEL
Photo Courtesy: Brecken Merkel
Currently competing for Aquajets Swim Team, Merkel owns three Junior National standards and capped off her summer season by finishing seventh in the 200m fly at NCSAs after placing fourth in that event at Minneapolis Sectionals. Last winter, she recorded three best times at Juniors West before going on to final in a pair of events at NCSAs.
Also competing for Edina High School, Merkel is already a four-time Minnesota 2A State Championship finalist. The USA Swimming Scholastic All-American placed fourth in both the 100 fly and 200 IM as a sophomore while taking ninth and eighth, respectively, in those events during her freshman season.
She told Swimming World:
“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and swimming career at the University of Iowa! Iowa’s academics, sports program and the team culture made it the natural decision for me. Thank you to my friends, family and coaches who have supported me through everything! Go Hawks!”
Her best times include:
- 100 fly – 55.66
- 200 fly – 2:00.97
- 200 IM – 2:03.58
- 400 IM – 4:24.96
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
