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Skyler Carmelich of Vacaville, CA will remain in-state with his decision to swim at California State University – Bakersfield beginning in the fall of 2020. He shared the announcement, “I am beyond excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career swimming at California State University Bakersfield! Huge thanks to my family, friends, and coaches for supporting me along the way! Excited to be a Roadrunner!”
Carmelich swims year-round for Dart Swimming under head coach Billy Doughty. At the end of February, Carmelich competed at the Speedo Champions Series at College Station. He swam the 50, 100, and 500-yard freestyle, and the 50 and 100 and 200-yard breast. His 200 breast time of 2:06.70 earned him a spot in the E-final, allowing him to swim the event in long course meters. He moved from 39th place in prelims to 33rd in finals. His long course time of 2:26.48 put him 2.5 seconds ahead of the next swimmer and earned him a new personal best time. He also posted personal best times in the 100 and 500 free. In addition, Carmleich led off his team’s 400m free B-relay with a time of 55.67, he anchored the 400m medley B-relay with a 55.55, and he anchored the 800m free B-relay.
In August, Carmelich competed at the 2019 USA Swimming Futures Championships in Mount Hood. He swam the 50, 100, and 200 free, and the 100 and 200 breast. His 100 free time of 55.12 was a personal best.
During the high school season, Carmelich represents Vacaville High School. In 2018, he qualified for the CIF SAC-Joaquin Section Championships. The meet was divided by age group, meaning he swam under the 13-14 category. Individually, he swam the 500 free and the 100 breast, earning a silver medal in both. His prelims time of 4:48.51 in the prelims heats of the 500 free placed him 3rd going into finals. During the finals race, he performed a nail-biting swim, attempting to come from behind and out-touch Aidan Vulgas of Woodcreek High School. Vulgas ultimately took the gold, edging Carmelich out by 0.08 seconds. Carmelich earned a second silver medal in the 100 breast. He finished only 0.06 seconds behind Turlock High School’s Michael Tobin, and he earned a personal best time.
In 2019, Carmelich competed at the same meet with the 17-18 year olds. He earned 9th overall in both the 500 free (4:43.28) and the 100 breast (59.84).
Top SCY Times:
- 200 breast – 2:05.07
- 100 breast – 57.73
- 100 free – 47.50
- 200 free – 1:43.67
- 500 free – 4:41.75
When he joins the Roadrunners in the fall, Carmelich will be the team’s fourth-fastest 200 breaststroker behind Alex Dragan, Antonio Milin, and Ahmed Mohamed. Similarly, he will be their fifth-fastest 100 breaststroker behind Dragan, Milin, Mohamed, and Noah Hickman. Carmelich will be joining sprint specialist Lars Hanna of Greenwood Village, CO as a member of the class of 2024.
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Congrats and go runners!