NEW COMMIT: The University of Chicago has gained a new commitment beginning in the 2019-20 season from Saint Johns, Fla. native Lexi Smith.
Smith swims year-round with Storm Swim Club and most recently competed in a pair of events at Juniors East time trials. She raced seven events at Gainesville Speedo Sectionals this past summer and recorded a lifetime best at Florida Seniors last February. Also competing for Bertram Trail High School, Smith is a seven-time Florida 3A State Championship finalist. She took 12th in the 200 free as a senior after placing 16th in that event as well as 14th in the 500 free during her junior season.
She told Swimming World:
“I chose the University of Chicago because it manages to capture everything that I want both academically and athletically. During my official visit there, I saw how amazing and close the swim team was. Having a great team atmosphere is a really important part of any college sport. During some of the hardest workouts, I always have my teammates to help me get through it and I am happy to have found that same atmosphere at UChicago. Being able to personally meet head coach Jason Weber and assistant coach Mark Broucek further guided me towards choosing UChicago. Also, UChicago’s excellent academics will help set me on the right path as I pursue a career in genetics. I would like to thank the swim coaches who have helped me to get where I am now. A huge thank you to Mark Corley, Robert Bruns, and most of all to John Hulvey. Coach John is my current coach at Storm Swim Club and he coached me when I was a young swimmer at Loggerhead Aquatics. He has always been supportive of what I want and always gives me workouts that truly challenge me. I would also like to thank my parents for always being there for me. Driving me to morning practice at 6 am and sitting through meet after meet is no easy task, but they never complained. Lastly, I would like to thank my teammates for always being super supportive. You guys are amazing!”
Her best times include:
- 200 free – 1:53.22
- 500 free – 5:04.01
- 1000 free – 10:28.68
- 200 IM – 2:10.62
- 400 IM – 4:37.51
Smith will make an immediate impact when she suits up for the Maroons as a member of the class of 2023. She would’ve scored in the A-final of the 200 free as well as the B-final of the 500 free and 400 IM at the 2018 UAA Championships where Chicago finished fourth overall in the team standings.
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