Ross Pallazo, a four-time Ohio state champion from Hudson High School in Hudson, Ohio, has made a verbal commitment to the University of Florida for 2015-16. Palazzo was twice crowned Boys Swimmer of the Year by cleveland.com and was recently named to the 2014-15 USA Swimming National Junior Team.
“I’m stoked to be a Gator! Coach Troy has a great history training IMers, and with everything Florida has to offer as a school I know that Gainesville is the place for me! Go Gators!”
Palazzo swims for Hudson Explorer Aquatic Team. As an IMer, Palazzo has the whole package, but he’s particularly strong in breast. It’s the 200m breast that landed him a spot on the National Junior Team; his 2:16.00 from Summer Juniors was the fastest 200 breast swum at the meet and qualified him for 2016 Olympic Trials. His top times are:
200y breast: 1:57.74 200m breast: 2:16.00
100y breast: 54.53 100m breast: 1:03.24
50y breast: 25.25 50m breast: 29.47
200y IM: 1:47.93 200m IM: 2:04.36
400y IM: 3:51.13 400m IM: 4:27.30
200y back: 1:48.93 200m back: 2:11.69
200y free: 1:38.50 200m free: 1:55.26
With another year to go before he puts on Gator orange, Palazzo’s times would already put him in scoring position at SECs in the breaststroke and IM events. Florida graduated some big IM names last year (Sébastien Rousseau, Marcin Cieslak), and has another wave who will finish up after this season (Dan Wallace, Matt Elliott, Carlos Omana). Palazzo will be a great addition to the squad and could develop into the next Florida All-American.
Congrats to Ross, and great get for the Gators!
UF is a top 3 program, not only from a rank standpoint – UF’s facilities are best and coaching men’s and women’s are straight-forward, honest and committed to their kids. Academics are underrated.
Please no trolls – just facts por favor…
Yup, because academics do not matter at all in life.