NEW COMMITS: The University of California, Santa Barbara has received a pair of verbal commitments for the fall of 2021 from Redmond, Wash. native Amelia Hammer and Grace Lockwood of San Diego, Calif.
Both talented swimmers will join Grace Endaya and Michelle Tekawy as members of the Gauchos’ class of 2025.
AMELIA HAMMER
Photo Courtesy: Amelia Hammer
Regarding her commitment, she said:
“I’m super excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at UCSB! Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me. Go Gauchos!!??”
Primarily a sprint freestyler, Hammer trains year-round with Pro Swimming and raced the 50/100 free combo at Juniors West in December before going on to take fourth in both of those events at Pacific Northwest Seniors. Last summer, she posted a pair of top-10 finishes at Pacific Northwest LCM Seniors and raced three events at Mount Hood Futures.
Her best times include:
- 50 free – 23.39
- 100 free – 50.93
- 200 free – 1:51.54
Also competing for Lake Washington Senior, Hammer is a six-time Washington 3A State Championship finalist. She won the 100 free and was the runner-up in the 50 free as a junior while taking second and third, respectively, in those events during her sophomore season.
GRACE LOCKWOOD
Photo Courtesy: Grace Lockwood
She told Swimming World:
“I am SO happy to share my verbal commitment to UC Santa Barbara and to join Coach Macedo’s team as a para-swimmer!!! I’m looking forward to being part of this team and to become a scholar-athlete in SB. Big thank you to Troy Nissen and Michael Klienert for coaching me and to Coronado Swim Association for giving me a swim home. GO GAUCHOS!!??”
Lockwood, who does her club swimming with Coronado Swim Association, is a paraswimmer who specializes in the sprint freestyle events. She recorded two best times at Carlsbad Sectionals in March and had a stellar showing at the San Diego Imperial Senior Classic in February.
Her best times include:
- 50 free – 29.45
- 100 free – 1:04.36
- 200 free – 2:23.87
A current senior at Patrick Henry High School, Lockwood is a four-time CIF State Championship finalist. The two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American collected silver medals in both the 50 and 100 free during her junior season while winning those two events as a sophomore.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.