Arizona Men Grab In-State 55-Second Breaststroker Marcello Quarante

Scottsdale Aquatic Club’s Marcello Quarante has committed to swim for the University of Arizona this upcoming fall.

Quarante is a rapidly improving breaststroker who recently qualified for U.S. Summer Junior Nationals in both the 100 and 200 breaststrokes. He has lopped off almost three seconds in his 100 yard breast and over six seconds in his 200 yard breast over the last few years, and his continued progression would be very significant for Arizona, who just graduated the fastest SCY breaststroker of all time, Kevin Cordes.

A look at his progression in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes:

*Summer Jr Natl cut

As his time at Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, AZ, comes to a close, Quarante will turn his focus to bolstering the Wildcats’ breaststroke group. While Cordes has graduated, Arizona returns both Gage Crosby and Andrew Sovero to their lineup. They each put up nearly identical season bests in the breaststrokes last year; 53.34 and 1:56.89 for Crosby, 53.44 and 1:56.85 for Sovero.

While Quarante is a little over a second off of the times it took to make the B final in the 100 and 200 breast at last year’s Pac-12 Championships, his continued progression throughout high school may be a sign that he’s ready to break out in his college years. He’ll have a chance to train breaststroke with Sovero for another year and Crosby for two more years, along with future freshman classmate Blair Bish. The Wildcats’ breaststroking group looks to be pretty deep with these four at its core for next season.

Quarante will join future teammates Bish, Chad Idensohn, Chatham Dobbs, Matt Lujan, Keith Brazzell, and Mathias Oh next fall as a part of a versatile incoming class for the Arizona men.