NEW COMMITS: The University of Alabama has scored a pair of verbal commitments for the 2021-22 season and beyond from Round Rock, Texas native Sophia Garrison and Krista Wheeler of Louisville, Ky.
Both swimmers will join Kasia Norman, Anna Ogren and Greta Gidley next year in Tuscaloosa as members of Alabama’s class of 2025.
SOPHIA GARRISON
Photo Courtesy: Sophia Garrison via CollegeSwimming
Regarding her commitment, she said:
“I am SO excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Alabama! Thank you to my incredible parents, coaches, and teammates for their constant support through this journey! I can’t wait to be apart of this amazing team! ROLL TIDE!!!?? #bamaspeed”
Currently swimming unattached, Garrison is a talented breaststroker and sprint freestyler who owns a trio of Junior National standards. She most recently placed seventh in both the 100m and 200m breast at College Station Sectionals after placing eighth in the 100 breast at Juniors West in December. This past summer, she registered three best times at Austin Sectionals before going on to race three events at Junior Nationals.
Also competing for Hill County Christian School, Garrison is a six-time TAPPS DIII State Championship finalist and 100 breast record holder. The two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American won the 100 breast and 200 IM as a freshman and a junior and took second and first, respectively, in those events as a sophomore.
Her best times include:
- 50 breast – 29.37
- 100 breast – 1:01.70
- 200 breast – 2:15.95
- 50 free – 23.27
- 100 free – 52.17
KRISTA WHEELER
Photo Courtesy: Krista Wheeler via CollegeSwimming
Regarding her commitment, she said:
“I am so blessed to announce my verbal commitment to swim for the University of Alabama!! I would like to thank my family, friends, and God for helping and supporting me through this very important decision! Roll Tide!!❤️?”
Primarily a backstroker and freestyler, Wheeler does her club swimming with Cardinal Aquatics and owns the U.S Open standard in the 200 back with five additional Juniors cuts. She raced three events at Juniors East in December and recently placed 20th in the 100m back at the Des Moines TYR Pro Swim Series. Last summer, she grabbed bronze in the 100m back at the Kentucky LCM Championships and took fifth in the 50m back at NCSAs.
A current junior at Louisville Collegiate School, Wheeler is a six-time Kentucky State Championship finalist and two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American. She finished second in the 100 back and fourth in the 50 free as a junior, was the runner-up in both the 100 free and 100 back as a sophomore, and placed second in the 100 back and fifth in the 100 fly as a freshman.
Her best times include:
- 100 back – 53.27
- 200 back – 1:57.95
- 50 free – 23.23
- 100 free – 50.54
- 200 free – 1:50.04
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
