NEW COMMIT: The University of Tennessee has officially entered into the Class of 2025 recruiting game, picking up a huge verbal commitment from Summer Smith. The Agawam, Mass. native will arrive in Knoxville at the start of the 2021-22 season.
Smith swims year-round with Bluefish Swim Club under Chuck Batchelor and Nick Rice, the same club that produced three-time Olympian Elizabeth Beisel. Currently a high school junior, Smith owns eight U.S. Open standards. She is coming off a stellar summer long course season where she was named to the 2019-20 USA Swimming National Junior team.
At Junior Nationals this past summer, she was the runner-up in the 1500m free with three additional top-12 finishes after racing three events at Phillips 66 Nationals. She also earned gold in the 400m IM/800m free, silver in the 200m back/200m fly, and bronze in the 400m free at New England LCM Seniors. Her 800m free set a new NE 15-16 LSC record.
Last winter, Smith earned a pair of best times at Winter Nationals where her highest finish was a ninth-place showing in the 800m free. She then went on to earn four victories at New England SCY Seniors, including setting a NE 15-16 LSC record in the mile. The two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American registered six top-5 finishes at Indianapolis Speedo Sectionals in March, taking the top spot in the 200m back.
She told Swimming World:
“I am beyond honored and excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and swimming journey at the University of Tennessee!!! I want to thank my coaches, family, friends and teachers for their support along the way. Sooo proud to be a part of the Volunteer family!!”
Her best times include:
- 500 free – 4:51.92
- 1000 free – 9:54.56
- 1650 free – 16:21.49
- 200 IM – 2:00.49
- 400 IM – 4:13.66
- 200 fly – 2:01.49
She has already achieved six 2020 Olympic Trials cuts:
- 800m free – 8:45.12
- 1500m free – 16:44.16
- 200m back – 2:12.63
- 200m fly – 2:13.08
- 200m IM – 2:16.95
- 400m IM – 4:45.33
Smith has made some big improvements over the past few seasons, and will surely carry her recent long course momentum into this upcoming short course season. Even with just under two years of club swimming still to go, her versatility will be extremely beneficial for the Lady Vols and she could find herself in a number of different events.
She would’ve placed in the C-final of the 400 IM and placed top-14 in the mile at the 2019 SEC Championships, and is just on the brink of scoring range in numerous other events. Tennessee finished fourth at last year’s conference meet before going on to place eighth in the team standings at the NCAA Championships.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.