NEW COMMIT: San Jose, Calif. native Zach Dietz has opted to stay in-state next fall and join the UC-Santa Barbara Gauchos as a member of the class of 2023.
Dietz does his club swimming with Osprey Aquatics and has the Juniors cut in the 50 free with a U.S. Open standard in the 100m back. He achieved 100% best times at Juniors this summer after placing fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 50m and 100m free at LCM Far Westerns. He won the 100/200 free combo at WCAB Winter Seniors, was a four-time Carlsbad Sectionals finalist and won the 100 back at Far Westerns.
Dietz owns four school records for Willow Glen High School and has earned NISCA All-American honors for his efforts. He placed fifth in the 100 back at the CIF State Championships during his junior year after being the runner-up in the event at CIF-Centrals a week prior.
He told Swimming World:
“I am extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of California at Santa Barbara! The team and coaching staff made me feel at home with the positive energy and atmosphere they bring to the program. I want to thank the coaches at Osprey Aquatics, my parents and my friends for the support they have given me along the way. I can’t wait to spend the next four years living along the beach and improving as a student and as an athlete. Go Gauchos!”
His best times include:
- 50 free – 20.78
- 100 free – 46.13
- 100 back – 49.44
- 200 back – 1:52.10
Dietz will be valuable to UCSB’s sprint and back group and will join a training squad that includes Kian Brouwer and Jolene Griffin. He would’ve scored in the B-final of the 100 back and the C-final of the 50/100 free at the 2018 MPSF Championships where the Gauchos earned their second-straight conference title.
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