High school junior Abby Richter has verbally committed to the University of Virginia Cavaliers. She’s the first public verbal commitment for the Cavaliers in the class, with most of the country’s top commits waiting until they’re officially allowed to take visits in the fall to commit.
Richter’s Yards Bests (after junior season):
- 50 free – 23.82
- 100 free – 50.54
- 200 free – 1:48.31
- 100 back – 53.70
- 200 back – 1:54.88
- 100 fly – 54.18
- 200 IM – 1:58.35
- 400 IM – 4:14.10
The Cavaliers graduated only one NCAA-scoring swimmer from last year’s 5th-place NCAA Championship team, All-American Courtney Bartholomew. While Richter won’t arrive on campus until after the 2016-2017 season, the Cavaliers don’t have anybody announced as part of their 2016 recruiting class who will obviously replace Bartholomew. The Cavaliers’ second-fastest 100 backstroker last season was Caitlin Cooper, whose yards season-best was 54.55.
That means that when Richter arrives in Charlottesville in just over a year, she’ll have a chance at immediately moving into the Cavaliers’ medley relays. Even if Virginia is able to repurpose one member of their very-deep butterfly group, of the four swimmers there that they had under 53 seconds last season, three will be graduated before Richter arrives.
could not be anymore excited to announce my verbal to UVA???????? go HOOS pic.twitter.com/lqnIaswOCw
— Abby Richter (@abbyprimetime) May 7, 2016
Richter lives in Henderson, Nevada where she swims for the Boulder City Henderson Heatwave and Green Valley High School. She finaled in three events at the Winter Junior National (West) Championships, including 3rd in the 200 IM and 4th in the 200 back. Her freestyle times made their biggest move during their junior year so far, where she’s been lifetime bests in the 50, 100, and 200 yard freestyles.
“Being from the West Coast, I’ve grown up around many prestigious universities, but none compare to the University of Virginia. The things that drew me to UVA were its academic excellence as well as the excellent swim team. The coaching staff is unparalleled, and I felt immediately at home. The team is a standout team, and I am ecstatic to join this group of individuals. I am certain that UVA will undoubtedly help me achieve all of my goals- not only in the pool, but in the classroom as well. Go HOOS!”
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email to [email protected]
Congrats young lady, it has been fun watching you grow as a athlete. Good luck at state!
WahooWa!!! Big news out of C-Ville, great to see this tremendous staff reloading for many more top 5 finishes in the future.
Don’t be surprised when UVA has the top class and turns it into a Championship or 2 in the near future.
Wow! What an amazing recruit to replace the likes of Courtney bartholomew and Leah Smith!! This gir can definitely score in the top 3 in multiple events immediately. Can’t wait for those natty champs to roll in!!