Notre Dame Picks Up Verbal Commitment from Junior National Finalist Sarah Bender

Photo Courtesy: Sarah Bender

NEW COMMIT: The University of Notre Dame has received a new verbal commitment from talented breaststroker and IMer Sarah Bender of Glen Allen, Va. for the fall of 2020.

Bender, who owns five Summer Juniors standards, does her club swimming with NOVA of Virginia Aquatics and recently recorded four best times at NCSAs where her highest finish was a 10th-place showing in the 400 IM. She won the 200 breast at Virginia SCY Seniors and placed seventh in that event at Juniors East in December. This past summer, she earned gold in the 200m breast at Virginia LCM Seniors before going on to have three finals appearance at Junior Nationals.

Also competing for Freeman High School, Bender is a six-time Virginia 5A State Championship finalist and has also earned USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors. She earned bronze in the 100/200 free combo as a junior after placing eighth in the 50 free and seventh in the 100 free during her sophomore season.

She told Swimming World:

“I’m so excited to announce my commitment to swim and study at the University of Notre Dame! Thank you so much to my family, friends, and coaches for always supporting me. I cannot wait to be part of such an amazing team! GO IRISH!!!”

Her best times include:

100 breast – 1:03.09
200 breast – 2:14.12
200 IM – 2:01.50
400 IM – 4:16.80
50 free – 23.70

When she suits up for the Fighting Irish as a member of the class of 2024, Bender will add valuable breaststroke and IM depth to their lineup. She would’ve scored in the B-final of the 400 IM as well as the C-final of the 200 breast at the 2019 ACC Championships where Notre Dame finished fourth overall in the team standings.

If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.

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