NEW COMMIT: Make that four verbal commitments for the Class of 2023 for the University of Kentucky, who just received a new pledge from Olympic Trials qualifier Elizabeth Tilt of Marietta, Georgia.
She will join Cassie Howell, Paige Housman and Madi McGlothen in Lexington at the start of the 2023-24 season.
Regarding her commitment, she said:
“It is with great excitement that I announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Kentucky!! Thank you to all of my friends, family, and teammates for all the support and love I have received through the years. Thank you Coach Austin and a special thanks to Coach Mike for getting me to this point. UK is so special, and I know I can be the best version of myself there. I am so excited to be a part of this amazing team, and I can’t wait to continue this journey with the great coaches and teammates at the University of Kentucky. GO CATS!!!!????”
Tilt, who trains year-round with Chattahoochee Gold Swim Club, competed in the 100m fly at Wave I of Olympic Trials this past summer. She most recently won the 400m IM at Huntsville Futures in August where she also earned bronze in the 200m IM.
She also had a great showing at the Mizuno Atlanta Classic in May, earning best times in all of her events and posting three top-15 finishes. Tilt also finished 15th in the 400 IM at Juniors East in December of 2019.
Currently a junior at Lassiter High School, Tilt is a four-time individual Georgia 6A State Championship finalist. The USA Swimming Scholastic All-American won the 100 fly and 200 IM as a sophomore while taking first and second, respectively, in those events during her freshman season.
She helped her team clinch the state title in 2021.
In yards, her best times include:
- 100 fly – 53.48
- 100 back – 54.05
- 200 back – 1:57.63
- 200 IM – 2:00.27
- 400 IM – 4:16.15
In meters, her best times include:
- 100m fly – 1:00.48
- 100m back – 1:03.38
- 200m back – 2:16.96
- 200m IM – 2:17.78
- 400m IM – 4:51.61
Tilt is a huge get for Kentucky as she would’ve placed in the B-final of the 100 fly and the C-final of the 100 back at the 2021 SEC Championships. Even with just under two years to go before arriving on campus, she would’ve ranked No. 4 on their lineup in the 100 fly and No. 5 in the 100 back last season.
The 2020-21 season was one of the history books for the UK women’s team, culminating with the Wildcats winning their first-ever SEC title with a program-record 1,124 points under head coach Lars Jorgensen. At the conference meet, the Wildcats collected 12 medals, including three gold, three silver, and six bronze, in addition to breaking five school records. The 4×200 free relay team also combined to give UK their second SEC relay title.
A school-record 14 UK women were invited to the 2021 NCAA Championships, besting the previous record of 10 and tying for the third-most swimmers invited that season behind Virginia and Florida. Those 14 Wildcats combined for 35 entries total, which was also a school record.
UK finished 11th with 152 points at NCAAs, marking their best team finish in school history as well as the most points scored, and also their fourth-straight year in the top-15. Kentucky collected 23 All-America honors – eight First Team and 15 Honorable Mention – yet another school record.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
