Ian Rainey, of Westport CT, and Elliott Schinella of Orchard Lake MI have both verbally committed to the University of Michigan.
Ian Rainey will be a welcome addition to the Wolverine distance group; he is the 2013 YMCA National Long Course Champion in the 1500 where he went 15:59.78 and just missed breaking the meet record of 15:57. Rainey is primarily a distance swimmer but he has a very strong 400 IM and is a Junior National qualifier in the 200 back and 200 fly as well. His performance at the long course Summer Juniors in Irvine broke several Connecticut Swimming records: the 17/18 Resident 800M Free record (8:13.99) and the 400M IM record (4:23.97).
Rainey swims for Staples High School in Westport and with Coach Randy Erlenback at Wilton Y Wahoos Swim Club.
Elliott Schinella will only have to travel an hour down the highway when she moves from Orchard Lake to Ann Arbor.
Schinella is the 2012 Michigan state champion in the 100 back. As a junior at Mercy Catholic High School in Farmington Hills, she swam a 54.91 to win the 100 back, 0.31 off the Division I record. She also came in fifth in the 50 free with a 24.04. Her 25.7 leadoff split in the 200 medley relay was the fastest backstroke leadoff in the field.
Elliott confided to SwimSwam, “I was very impressed with Coach Bottom’s program and all that he had to offer. I loved the team, the atmosphere, and the coaching staff. I felt welcomed and comfortable and I can’t wait to be a wolverine!”
I’ve been following the progress of this Rainey character over the course of the past few years. Needless to say, I have no doubt his domination will continue into the college level. Do not be surprised to see Rainey conquering the BIG 10 conference in the coming years, similar to Thor in his most recent hollywood blockbuster.
Ian Rainey came out of nowhere this past summer and put down some very fast times at Junior Nationals and YMCA Nationals. I have been following his results over the past year and it looks like he has a great amount of potential. Can’t wait to see what he does at Michigan! congrats Ian
Ian kind of reminds me of Connor Jaeger… Connor came out of high school swimming 1:39/4:27 in the 200/500 free and look where he is now. I feel Ian will be similar to him and just blow up like that.