After Breakout Junior Season, Zach Fong Commits to Virginia

Zach Fong from the Jersey Wahoos has verbally committed to the Virginia Cavaliers, bringing that team a level of versatility that it really needs right now.

Fong is strong in a number of different events, and could fill any number of roles for the rebuilding Cavaliers.

  • 200 free – 1:39.54
  • 500 free – 4:33.03
  • 1650 free – 15:37.39
  • 100 breast – 56.14
  • 200 breast – 2:02.55
  • 100 fly – 49.70
  • 200 fly – 1:46.13
  • 200 IM – 1:51.57
  • 400 IM – 3:54.17

Fong was a very good 100 butterflier heading into his junior year, but in the 2013-2014 season became so much more than that. He dropped two seconds in the 100 breast, four seconds in the 200 breast, three seconds in the 200 fly, two in the 200 IM, almost six in the 400 IM, five in the 200 free, and an impressive 41 in the 1650 free.

While his best events are still the flys, it’s not as clear-cut as a year ago. If he were in college this year, his best schedule at ACC’s might include the 100 breast and the 200 fly. He would already be a top-16 scorer at ACC’s in the 200 fly, something only three freshmen achieved last year, but his improvements in the last year show that he’s probably not tapped out in any of his events.

When a swimmer is dropping three, four, five, or 41 seconds in an event, his specialty could go any number of ways in two years, and that’s what makes Fong such an exciting prospect for the Cavaliers. Their primary need this fall was for a butterflier, but after All-ACC performer and junior Yannick Kaeser, the breaststroke group is very thin as well.

Fong swims for Morrestown High School in New Jersey, and is the defending state champion in the 100 fly and 500 free.

 

 

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The Real Slim Shady
9 years ago

Zach is amazing. He is a great kid and deserves all of the amazing recognition he’s recieving. He has worked so hard to finally get to where he is now. His dietary success is most likely because he has funneled so much chocolate milk and snorted so much pre-workout. Zach you have earned this. Good luck, go Cavaliers!

Bobby Bowman
9 years ago

Great pickup for UVA. Zach had a stellar year last year and will have a killer year this year too. I go to school with Zach and he is a hard worker in and out of the pool. It’s probably due to the energy crystals he’s been charging up at Lake Wallenpaupack. Congrats, and good luck at the next level, you’ve got big things ahead of you!!

MindoMom
9 years ago

Best comment threads ever for a recruiting announcement! Congrats to Zach from a Middle Atlantic parent who has watched you develop over the years! Jesus, these kids grow up way to fast…

Tim Cheung
9 years ago

I have known Zachary for the longest time. We have basically been brothers ever since we were kids. I remember him growing up being a quiet little boy and now he has hundreds of friends from all over the country. He has a new girlfriend almost every week! What a stud! I’m proud to say it was all because of me. I take all the credit for his success. Go Hoos! #mbs>mglax

Jeff DeNick
9 years ago

Zach has worked so hard for me and really earned this. I coached him to this point, and he will definitely continue to be successful at the next level. Good luck Zach, and remember MBS>MGLAX

John Caroll
9 years ago

Zach is a freaking beast. He once out ran the 3 time state champion in a 100 meter dash (his eyes were closed the whole time too). Not only is he a star in the pool but at everything he does. He also is the reigning Moorestown High School chicken wing eating champion. Great pick up for UVA, in and out of the pool.

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Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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