NEW COMMIT: Junior National qualifier Hugo Thomas of Atherton, Calif. has announced his commitment to the University of Notre Dame beginning in the fall of 2021.
He will join Bryce Ortanes, Parker Macy, Andrew Guziec, Nick Tommasone, Chris Guiliano, Max Myers and Owen Grimaldi with the Fighting Irish as a member of the class of 2025.
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am very proud to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Notre Dame. Huge thanks to my family, teachers, coaches, and teammates for all they have done for me over the years. Go Irish! I chose Notre Dame because of the cooperation of academic and athletic excellence within the school. At Notre Dame, I can simultaneously be the best student and best athlete that I can be; I don’t have to sacrifice one for the other.”
A talented backstroker and distance freestyler, Thomas trains with Alto Swim Club and placed eighth in the 200 back at Carlsbad Sectionals back in February where he achieved four best times. In Summer 2019, he notched five lifetime bests en route to taking 16th in the 200m back at Santa Clarita Sectionals.
His best times include:
- 100 back – 51.36
- 200 back – 1:49.93
- 500 free – 4:36.52
- 1000 free – 9:33.05
- 1650 free – 15:44.99
Also competing for Sacred Heart Prep High School, Thomas finished eighth in the 100 back at the CIF Central Coast Section Championships. He also led off his team’s 4×50 medley relay in 24.80.
Thomas has made tremendous improvements over the past two seasons. Since 2018, he has dropped five seconds in the 100 back, 21 seconds in the 200 back and 500 free, 25 in the 1000 free, and well over a minute in the mile.
Under head coach Michael Litzinger, the Fighting Irish finished sixth at the 2020 ACC Championships.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
