Chris Wieser has verbally committed to the University of Arizona, the program’s first commitment since head coach Eric Hansen took a leave of absence last week.
Wiser swims for the Davis Aquadarts and Jesuit High School in California’s Sac Joaquin Section, where he broke a 20-year old section record in the 500 free by going a 4:23.01.
That’s his best race, and he also goes up and down very well in the freestyle races. At that same high school championship meet last year, he was a 1:39.99 in the 200 yard free, and at Winter Juniors in December of 2012 he was a 15:27.08 in the mile.
Wieser will fill the role that is about to be vacated after Arizona senior Matt Barber, though Wieser is probably not quite as good in the 200, but is a new mile threat for Arizona. You’ll remember that last year, Arizona made the unusual decision to not enter a single miler at the Pac-12 Championships. Wieser is already good enough to challenge for a spot in the top-10, though Arizona doesn’t historically put in much rest for Pac 12’s.
Wieser just missed making the U.S. National Junior Team in the 1500 meter free, with a 15:36.26. He’s also been 3:58.12 in the 400 free in long course.
