NEW COMMIT: The University of Kentucky has received a new verbal commitment for the 2022-23 season and beyond from Denise Phelan of Commack, N.Y.
She will join Paige Taber, Stella Todd, Lucy Reber, Lydia Hanlon, Grace Frericks, Marin McKee, Jordan Agliano and Breckin Gormley in Lexington as a member of the Wildcats starting in 2022.
She told Swimming World:
“I am excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim for the University of Kentucky! Thank you to my family, friends and coaches for all their support. Go Wildcats!!!”
A versatile swimmer who specializes in breaststroke, Phelan does her club swimming with Team Suffolk and earned five best times at the LIAC Virtual Short Course Championships last month after placing sixth in the 100m breast and ninth in the 200m breast at the Richmond TYR Pro Swim Series in January.
In Summer 2019, she secured bronze in the 100m breast at Metropolitan LCM Seniors before going on to take fourth in the 200m breast at Eastern Zone Seniors. She also recorded six top-15 finishes at Metropolitan Seniors in February 2020.
Her best times include:
- 100 breast – 1:00.62
- 200 breast – 2:11.23
- 200 IM – 2:01.65
- 400 IM – 4:18.91
- 100 fly – 55.13
- 200 fly – 2:03.09
- 100 back – 56.87
- 200 back – 2:03.44
- 50 free – 23.79
- 100 free – 51.32
- 200 free – 1:54.43
Currently a junior at Commack High School, Phelan is a four-time New York Federation Championship finalist. She won the 100 breast and placed 15th in the 100 fly as a sophomore while taking fourth in the 100 breast and 19th in the 200 IM during her rookie season.
Under head coach Lars Jorgensen, the Wildcats won their first-ever SEC title in 2021.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.