Joseph Schooling, one of the top two recruits in the class of 2014 (we had him #1, but after what Caeleb Dressel has done since we did those rankings, it would take a long, hard look) has verbally committed to the University of Texas.
Schooling is from Singapore, but attends high school at the famed Bolles School program in Jacksonville, Florida.
Up until a few weeks ago, Schooling was the National High School Record holder in the 100 yard fly, and still remains as #2 (behind Dressel – they went the two fastest swims in history head-to-head mid-season).
Schooling’s yards bests, which don’t even begin to give the full picture of his abilities, are:
- 50 free – 20.61
- 100 free – 45.06
- 200 free – 1:38.19
- 500 free – 4:34.55
- 100 back – 49.03
- 100 breast – 57.09
- 100 fly – 46.20
- 200 fly – 1:45.00
- 200 IM – 1:45.21
That 200 IM is also one of the fastest high school swims ever, and mod-season was just two tenths away from Curtis Ogren’s National Independent High School Record (which is currently a 1:45.01). He may swim only the 100 fly individually and three relays at the Florida High School State Championship meet and three relay, which is what he did last year.
Schooling, who has said he feels that he can get to Michael Phelps’ World Record in the 100 fly, swam at the 2012 Olympics in both the 100 and 200 fly, and though he didn’t have his best swims at that meet, he would redeem himself later at the 2013 World Championships by qualifying for the semi-finals in the 200 fly – making him easily the youngest swimmer to do so.
In long course, he has been 52.33/1:56.27 in the 100 and 200 Flys. In the 200 IM in long course, he’s been 1:59.99. In the 200 free, he’s been 1:49.47, and by the time he’s done will likely be hailed as the greatest Singapore swimmer in history if he keeps on his current path.
This is really an interesting signing for Texas, who in their 2013 class picked up a ton of butterfliers already. That includes Clark Smith, who is the third-fastest high school butterflier ever; William Glass, who has been 47.5; and Jack Conger, who was 46.1 in high school, though he didn’t do it in a high school meet. Even Chris Scheaffer, with a 48.2, in last year’s class, could be an NCAA scorer.
There may have been bigger needs for Texas to use their scholarship money on, but Schooling is the kind of talent that can’t be passed up. This probably allows Conger to really focus on the backstroke races if that’s where head coach Eddie Reese wants him to, and Schooling is good enough to score huge points in the 200 IM and be a big free relay contributor as well.
Now all eyes turn to Caeleb Dressel, who counts Texas as one of his official visits as well.
I can’t remember – did Eddie Reese commit to training Jack Conger through 2017 or just 2016?
Do we know if Schooling will be able to stay for 4 full years?
Finally, would Eddie Reese extend his promised commitment to sign Dressel?
I feel that Auburn is on the decline and I would not want to see Dressel there.
Tennessee is definitely on the rise though, and potential Aussie star Luke Percy is starting there right now. That could be a great training partner and an interesting rivalry.
Huge for Texas!
Mr Schooling is very impressive.
But I don’t think he will break Michael Phelps’ 100 fly world record.
I know the South East Asian Games in december are his biggest meet of the year but if he’s well rested for the Florida high school championships in November, he can swim 45 low or even perhaps under 45 in the 100 fly.
Now, all eyes are on Mr Dressel.
I think all eyes have been on Dressel since August. I would have liked to see him go to USC and train with Vlad but it appears that was not even an option. Perhaps he wanted to stay close to home?
Out of the schools he has gone too, Texas would probably make the most sense IMO. Training with Jimmy Feigen for 2016 would be great for the US sprinters.
I’m starting to see a new era of Texas and USC forming on the horizon. Michigan and Cal will be hard pressed to match.
Is Cal not in play for Dressel? With his old comrade Murphy there, and world class postgrads sprinters, I would think that’s a consideration.
swimphan – I’ve heard no indication that Dressel has given any indication that Cal is in the picture. Wouldn’t want to speak on his behalf, though. I know he didn’t take an official visit there, despite having an extra one to use.
Braden, any idea of how the Cal mens’ scholarships will work out for this recruiting class? It seems like It seems in a class with so many studs, they might not get anyone with immediate impact (Bentz, Schooling, Dressel, etc). Considering how well Murphy seems to be doing, I would’ve thought they’d have a good chance at another Bolles swimmer.
it is October…really hard to tell how someone is doing right ….only how they do in March is what counts.
Texas has had a pretty good record of medley relays/strokers. Remember the Piersol-Hansen-Crocker front 3/4 of that relay? I know coaches were saying that they could put anyone on the freestyle leg and still win. By themselves, those guys easily scored 110 individual points at NCAA’s (Piersol 100-200 back; Hansen 100-200 br; Crocker 100 fly and 50 free). Add 80 points for winning just the two medleys and they were a top-10 team with just 4 guys. Conger-Schooling-Dressel? Amazing.
It was more like 4 out of 4 back then. Neil was an Olympian and I believe still holds the school record in the 100yd backstroke…44.9, not Aaron.
Walker was an Olympian and has 4 relay medal (two gold) from 2000 and 2004. They never got to swim with the four amigos at the Olympics, though either year they probably still win gold with Walker anchoring.
Believe it or not – Peirsol is only 4th best on Texas’ all-time list in the 100 back. Never better than 45.71 – Walker, Hill Taylor, and Cole Cragin were all faster. Peirsol does hold the 200 school record.
Dressel’s other visit will be Florida State. That’s where his sister is…
Wasn’t schooling 43.9 leading off a relay against dressel at the same mid season meet with those unbelievable 100 flys?
Hope he does well down there. The team has taken a very public stance over the years that they don’t like foreign swimmers. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds, and if this will change their perspective for the better.
I never thought I would live to see the day that Texas had more foreign swimmers at NCAA’s than Cal but unless Cal signs a foreign swimmer before next year – Giomondi will be the only one on Cal’s NCAA roster in all probability next year & Texas will have 2 probably. Things are changing for sure. Several of the UT fans in the past couple of years have criticized Michigan and Cal (and others) for having foreign swimmers on the team….wonder what they are going to say now?