2023 NCAA Division II champion in the 200 breaststroke Daniel Garcia has announced that he will be transferring to Ohio State for his senior year beginning this fall.
Garcia spent his first three years at Findlay and told SwimSwam that “for some reason I have eligibility until 2026, and I do wanna be at OSU for the rest of it.”
As a freshman Garcia was Great Midwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and earned G-MAC Freshman of the Meet honors after going 4 for 4 in individual events at conferences. He won the 100 breast in a 53.77, the 200 breast in a 1:58.92, and the 200 IM in a 1:48.51, and the 400 IM in a 4:00.54.
As a sophomore, Garcia defended all four of his conference titles and went on to swim at NCAAs. There he was sixth in the 100 breast (53.20), 21st in the 200 breast (2:00.50), 18th in the 200 IM (1:47.92), and 20th in the 400 IM (3:56.90).
Garcia had a huge midseason meet, going personal best times in all four of his individual events. He went a 51.93 in his 100 breast, a 1:55.94 in his 200 breast, 1:45.86 in the 200 IM, and 3:51.85 in his 400 IM.
At 2023 NCAAs, he went on to win the 200 breast in a personal best of 1:54.51. He also finished third in the 100 breast (52.87), sixth in the 200 IM (1:46.74), and ninth in the 400 IM (3:50.89). He scored a total of 58 individual points at NCAAs.
His best SCY times are:
- 100 breast: 51.93
- 200 breast: 1:54.51
- 200 IM: 1:45.86
- 400 IM: 3:50.89
Garcia is a huge addition to the Buckeye men. Garcia’s best 100 breaststroke time would have been the fastest on the roster this past season by over half a second. His 200 breaststroke would have been the fastest on the roster by almost two seconds. Ohio State had 0 ‘A’ finalists in both the 100 and 200 breaststrokes this past season, but Garcia’s best times would have made both.
Garcia told SwimSwam he “decided that I needed a change after NCAA D2 Nationals, my dream was always being in a big Division 1 school.” He also told SwimSwam he wants to represent Colombia at the Olympics and he felt “if I want to represent Colombia and get the cuts, I have to make big changes in my life and take the next step, where I can have better practice conditions and around guys that are seeking the same goals and have the same focus. But I really thank Findlay coaches because without their support I would not be where I am right now.”
Cool! Maybe this will stop a 1-2-3-4 200 breast sweep at BIGs from BreaststrokeU
Wow Grape