#2 Rex Maurer Extends the Family Legacy, Makes Verbal Commitment to Stanford

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].

The last of SwimSwam’s top 20 high school class of 2023 boys’ recruits has made his decision: Rex Maurer is headed to Stanford.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjy1QKCvMrX/

There’s been a lot of speculation about whether Maurer, a 2022 Junior Pan Pacs silver medalist and the #2 recruit in his class, would stay in Southern California or head up to the Bay Area. His mother, Lea Maurer, is the head coach of USC. This is her first full season in the role — she’d been serving as interim coach since fall 2021.

However, the Maurer family also has a deep connection to Stanford. Both Lea and Erik Maurer earned individual NCAA titles and were part of multiple championship winning teams when they swam there in the 1990s. Lea was the head coach of the women’s program from 2005 until 2012 and is a member of Stanford’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Currently, Rex’s brother, Luke Maurer, is a junior on the team.

Rex is the best distance freestyler in the class of 2023. He owns the class’s top times in both the 500 free (4:13.90) and 1650 free (15:02.97). It’s his 500 free time that really stands out — it’s the fastest time we’ve seen by a high school junior since we started ranking recruits in 2012.

That time would’ve also earned him an NCAA invite and placed 18th, just outside the scoring. With that kind of speed, Maurer will be a huge boost to the Stanford men’s squad. The Cardinal jumped from fourteenth to seventh at the 2022 NCAA Championships and come into this season with lots of momentum. However, it’s getting increasingly tight at the top of the standings, and if Stanford wants to crack the top five in the next few years, they need more individual scorers.

When he gets to Stanford, Maurer will join a quickly rising distance group. The 2022 PAC-12 500 freestyle champion Preston Forst will be a senior. There’s also current freshmen Liam Custer and Henry Morrissey, who shine brightest in the mile (Custer’s time would have earned ninth at NCAAs last year). It’s a deep group now, and when Maurer arrives, it could be deadly.

Maurer’s Top SCY Times:

  • 500 free: 4:13.90 (best in class)
  • 1000 free: 9:07.55
  • 1650 free: 15:02.97 (best in class)
  • 200 free: 1:34.59
  • 100 free: 43.76
  • 50 free: 20.20
  • 200 back: 1:46.95
  • 400 IM: 3:57.20

While he’s just off scoring at a national level, Maurer projects to make an immediate impact in the Pac-12. At the 2022 Pac-12 Championships, he would have been fourth in the 500, seventh in the 1650, and 15th in the 200 free.

He joins #7 Gibson Holmes and best-of-the-rest Henry McFadden as headliners for Stanford’s 2023 recruiting class.

About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour 

Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.

FFT SOCIAL

Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster

FFT is a SwimSwam partner.

22
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

22 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
swimphan
1 year ago

Not an unexpected decision from Rex and the Stanford heritage. Have to respect Rex’s decision and the support of his parents. Stanford degree is golden.
But where does that leave USC’s recruiting? Looks like Dillingham the only elite US recruit for class of 2023. Transfer Portal? International juniors? Good thing Trojans moving to BIG because if remaining in the Pac-12 look to be falling further and further behind big dogs Cal, Stanford,and Arizona State. Not a good trajectory.

Michael Andrew Wilson
1 year ago

This comment section is high. 🤪

ReneDescartes
1 year ago

Crushing yetis with Caskey. All aboard.

Carlos Boozer
1 year ago

No surprise here. This is classic Randy! Randall about to be on demon time heading into winter juniors. Rumor has it he is on the prowl for that 19 in the 50. Carlos is proud for sure! 🙂

Caithlen
1 year ago

Stanford getting the king of dena

LEA MAURER
1 year ago

I’m so so proud of my little bobo boy. He’s all grow up!

PNW
1 year ago

Kudos to Stanford for taking a chance on a developmental recruit like Rex!

Taa
Reply to  PNW
1 year ago

He looks like a hIgh school JV swimmer. He would complain if the coach made him do 100s in practice. Cmon coach thats 4 laps!!

Tex Maurer
Reply to  Taa
1 year ago

He’s your classic bobo for sure

John Hueth
1 year ago

I’m not surprised he chose a great education at Stanford over a top-tier swim school like Texas. Hopefully he can still make some waves!

Michael Andrew Wilson
Reply to  John Hueth
1 year ago

LOL have you been following the Stanford guys lately?

About Sophie Kaufman

Sophie Kaufman

Sophie grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, which means yes, she does root for the Bruins, but try not to hold that against her. At 9, she joined her local club team because her best friend convinced her it would be fun. Shoulder surgery ended her competitive swimming days long ago, …

Read More »