Athens Bulldogs Swim Club’s Danielle Della Torre will be staying close to home for her collegiate swimming career, as she’s just given her verbal commitment to the NCAA champion Georgia Bulldogs. DellaTorre will start at UGA next fall after she graduates from Oconee County High School.
“I train at the UGA pool already so I was already accustomed to the pool and everything. I knew I loved it there, and when I took my official visit there, I knew it was where I had to be! I love all the girls on the team and all the coaches. I’m so excited for the next 4 years!”
Della Torre brings a lot of versatility to the table, as she’s shown speed across all 4 strokes and in both IM races. At last season’s Georgia High School 1-5A State Meet, she became a 2-time state champion after winning the 100 breast (1:02.13) and 200 IM (2:01.01).
During the long course season, Della Torre qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, where she swam a personal best 2:17.96 in the 200 IM. She then went on to swim at the 2016 Futures Championships meet in Atlanta. There, she swam best times in the 100 breast (1:11.33), 200 breast (2:32.40), 50 free (26.66), and 100 free (58.04).
Della Torre’s Top Times:
| Event | Best time |
| 100 breast | 1:02.13 |
| 200 breast | 2:15.78 |
| 100 back | 55.77 |
| 100 fly | 55.95 |
| 200 IM | 2:01.01 |
| 400 IM | 4:20.09 |
| 200 free | 1:50.82 |
When she arrives at UGA, Della Torre could have an immediate impact for the Bulldogs at the SEC Championships. Her time in the 100 breaststroke would’ve been fast enough to land her a spot in the C-final at the SEC meet last season.
Georgia has now graduated Annie Zhu, a championship finalist in the 100 breast at 2016 SECs, but they’re returning Caitlin Casazza, who placed in the B-final of that event. Della Torre will also have a stacked group of IMers to train with, including SEC finalist Meaghan Raab and B-finalist Megan Kingsley.
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