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.
Californian native Liam Thomas will head across the country next fall, as he heads to Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina. A senior at San Marino High School, Thomas represents Rose Bowl Aquatics at the club level.
Thomas is a three-time CIF State Championship qualifier who reached the finals in the 100 free as a junior, placing 17th in 45.74. He also clocked 1:40.70 in the 200 free to finish 26th out of prelims, both just off the personal bests he set a few weeks earlier at the qualifying meet. At the CIF Southern Section Division I Championships, Thomas posted 45.14 in the 100 and 1:39.16 in the 200 for 7th and 4th, respectively, with his 100 just shy of the 45.05 he swam in prelims. He also split 21.09 leading off San Marino’s 200 free relay in prelims, then came back with a 20.56 anchor to help the team to a 7th-place finish in finals.
At Futures – Sacramento in July, Thomas closed out his long course season with personal bests in his two signature events. He went 1:55.11 in the 200 free to place 29th and 52.21 in the 100 free prelims before finishing 24th in finals with a 52.77. Thomas also helped Rose Bowl’s relays to top 8 finishes in all 4 sprint relays: he split 23.40 in the 200 free relay, 23.54 in the 200 medley relay, 52.17 in the 400 medley relay, and 51.53 in the 400 free relay.
Best times SCY:
- 50 free: 21.09
- 100 free: 45.05
- 200 free: 1:39.16
- 500 free: 4:34.74
- 100 fly: 50.01
- 200 fly: 1:52.18
Davidson is a D1 Mid Major in the Atlantic 10 conference. The Wildcats finished 4th last season, an improvement from their 5th place finish in 2024. They were led in points by Dylan Felt, a current senior who specializes in the same events as Thomas.
Thomas already owns times fast enough to score at the conference level. Last season, it took 45.31/1:40.69 in the 100/200 free to make a second swim, and he’s close to the 4:32.97 mark needed in the 500 as well—giving him the potential to be a triple scorer for Davidson. As a sprint freestyler, he projects to make an immediate impact; his bests would have ranked 9th in the 50, 4th in the 100, and 4th in the 200 on last year’s roster. His addition comes at an opportune time, especially with the graduation of Felt (20.49/43.90/1:32.96), the team’s top sprinter.
Joining Thomas in Davidson’s class of 2030 are Grady Gospodarek and Elliot Darr. Gospodarek specializes in fly, and Darr is a back/free specialist.
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].
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.
Felt is also the team’s best mid-distance and distance freestyler.