NEW COMMIT: The University of Florida has picked up a valuable new commitment for the fall of 2021 from U.S. Open qualifier Aris Runnels of Herndon, Va.
She will join Georgia Bates, Ekaterina Nikonova, Olivia Peoples, Anna Auld, Mary Kate Kelley, Micayla Cronk, and Brooke Zettel in Gainesville as a member of the class of 2025.
Regarding her commitment, she said:
“I’m so excited and extremely blessed to announce my verbal commitment to further my swimming and academic career at the University of Florida. I want to thank all my coaches, teammates, family, and friends for their continuous support! GO GATORS!
“
Runnels trains year-round with Nation’s Capital Swim Club and earned 100% best times at Potomac Valley Seniors in March after competing at the Toyota U.S. Open last December. In Summer 2019, she recorded a trio of top-10 finishes at Potomac Valley LCM Seniors before going on to win the 50m back at NCSAs.
Her best times include:
- 50 free – 23.85
- 100 free – 51.97
- 200 free – 1:52.81
- 500 free – 4:54.01
- 50 back – 25.57
- 100 back – 53.80
- 200 back – 2:00.38
- 100 breast – 1:04.17
- 200 breast – 2:18.26
- 100 fly – 54.96
- 200 IM – 2:05.01
- 400 IM – 4:26.95
Currently a senior at Colgan High School, Runnels is a five-time individual Virginia 6A State Championship finalist. She won the 100 back and placed fourth in the 100 fly as a junior while taking sixth in the 200 IM and ninth in the 100 back during her sophomore season.
Runnels will add much-needed backstroke depth to the Gators’ lineup when she arrives on campus at the start of the 2021-22 season. Florida finished second overall in the team standings at the 2020 SEC Championships.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
