NEW COMMITS: The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill has received a trio of verbal commitments for the 2021-22 season and beyond from Jay Baker, Walker Davis, and Ryan Silver.
All three swimmers will join the Tar Heels as members of the class of 2025.
JAY BAKER
Photo Courtesy: Jay Baker via CollegeSwimming
A native of Durham, N.C., Baker swims year-round with North Carolina Aquatic Club and owns six Winter Juniors or faster standards. He most recently placed fourth in the 1000 free at Cary Sectionals after earning 100% best times at Juniors East. Last summer, he had five top-12 finishes at North Carolina LCM Seniors before going on to have a strong showing at Junior Nationals.
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I’m beyond proud to announce my verbal commitment to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill! Thanks to all my friends, family, and coaches who helped me get here! GO HEELS! #gdtbath”
A current junior at Durham School of the Arts, Baker is a five-time North Carolina 1A/2A State Championship finalist. He won the 500 free and grabbed silver in the 100 back as a junior while taking third in the 200 free and eighth in the 100 breast during his sophomore season.
His best times include:
- 500 free – 4:29.96
- 1000 free – 9:16.29
- 1650 free – 15:41.77
- 100 back – 49.38
- 400 IM – 3:57.18
WALKER DAVIS
Photo Courtesy: Walker Davis via CollegeSwimming
Hailing from Charlottesville, Va., Davis does his club swimming with Virginia Gators and has achieved three Junior National cuts. He earned three gold medals at Virginia Seniors in March and won five events at the TPIT Christmas Invite in December. He also notched a best time in all of his events at 2019 Virginia Seniors.
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim for the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill! Thank you to my teammates, coaches, friends, and most importantly my family for getting me to this point. GO HEELS!!!”
Also competing for Alleghany High School, Davis is a six-time Virginia Class 5 State Championship finalist. He took gold in the 100 back and silver in the 50 free as a junior after taking fourth in the 100 back and seventh in the 100 free as a sophomore.
His best times include:
- 50 free – 20.31
- 100 free – 45.48
- 100 back – 48.15
- 200 back – 1:49.19
- 200 IM – 1:54.13
RYAN SILVER
Photo Courtesy: Ryan Silver
A versatile swimmer, Silver of Raleigh, N.C. competes year-round with Marlins of Raleigh and has met the Juniors time standard in the 200 back. He recently had five top-16 finishes at Cary Sectionals and earned 100% best times at Juniors East before going on to place fourth in the 200 back at North Carolina Seniors. This past summer, he took 11th in the 200m back at Greensboro Futures.
He told Swimming World:
“Proud to announce my commitment to swim and study at the University of North Carolina! Big thanks to my family, coaches, friends, and teammates for helping me get here. Go heels!”
His best times include:
- 100 back – 51.22
- 200 back – 1:50.32
- 200 IM – 1:52.47
- 400 IM – 3:59.15
- 100 fly – 50.00
Silver is a four-time North Carolina 4A State Championship finalist while representing Athens Drive High School. The USA Swimming Scholastic All-American raced to fifth in the 100 fly and ninth in the 100 back as a junior and finished 16th in the former event during his sophomore campaign.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
So excited for the next generation of College swimmers. #KeepTheDreanAlive
So much for academics….