The Stanford Cardinal have nabbed one of the last remaining top-10 recruits in the country, picking up a verbal commitment from Pennsylvania’s Allie Szekely.
Szekely announced her commitment on her Instagram page Thursday night:
Szekely is one of the most versatile recruits in the class, with four very good strokes. Early in her career, she was known mostly as a breaststroker, but has really seen her biggest rises in the IMs and backstrokes lately.
Szekely’s Top Times
(All times in short course yards)
- 200 IM: 1:57.68
- 400 IM: 4:06.33
- 200 breast: 2:10.22
- 100 breast: 1:01.34
- 200 back: 1:53.36
- 100 back: 53.37
Szekely swims for the Central Bucks Swim Team out of Doylestown, PA, and attends Gwynedd Mercy Academy. She’s a multi-time Pennsylvania state champ as well as a Junior National champ.
A year ago, Szekely would have been a slam-dunk IMer for the Cardinal, who were weak in the event at the last NCAA Championships. But with current freshmen Ella Eastin and Kim Williams representing some of the top IMer in their class, Szekely will really have the flexibility to swim where she fits in best.
She might turn into a solid breaststroke replacement for NCAA champ Sarah Haase, who graduates this spring. Szekely hasn’t hit a lifetime-best in the 200 breast since 2012, but perhaps the Stanford coaching staff, who powered Haase to that NCAA title last year, can help Szekely find her form.
Otherwise, she could be an NCAA-scoring-level backstroker, or could join Eastin and Williams to form one of the toughest young IM groups nation-wide.
Szekely joins a strong and versatile Stanford recruiting class that helps the Cardinal keep pace in the recruiting arms race with Pac-12 rivals Cal. Stanford had already hooked #5 Katie Drabot, #11 Erin Voss, and #14 Megan Byrnes for this year’s class.
I’m a little bit in late 🙂 but congrats to Allie Szekely.
Since the time I say she’s gonna be a star! I’ve always loved her technique and her way of swimming which looks smooth and effortless.
Can’t wait to see how much she will improve at Stanford with such great training partners.
Way to go Allie! Cardinals will fly high with you!
Congrats Allie! Definitely looking forward to seeing your excellence as a student athlete! Stanford & coach Meehan are extremely fortunate!
Congratulations to Greg for putting together an excellent class of 2020 Stanford women swimmers. I look forward to watching them compete — and winning championships!
wrong choice, should have picked UVA
Next year’s Stanford women’s team will start the Fall 2016 season as the team to beat, I’m guessing. This year’s recruits, the fantastic swimmers already there, the return of Manuel, the more-than-likely start of Ledecky’s college career….crazy amazing roster there in the 2016-2017 season. Lots can happen between now and then, but Meehan is putting together a championship worthy group.
Congrats to a very nice young lady! Thrilled to see her get this opportunity. Her Swim Off at the 2012 Olympic Trials was one of the highlights of that meet. Bigger and better things to come for her I am sure.