YOTA’s Ryan Hardy (2022) Verbally Commits to Arizona Wildcats

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Ryan Hardy from Raleigh, North Carolina has made a verbal commitment to the University of Arizona for the 2022-23 school year.

“I am honored and excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Arizona!  I sincerely thank my friends, family, coaches and teammates who have help me get to this point. BEAR DOWN!”

Hardy is a senior at Ravenscroft School; he swims club for YMCA of the Triangle Area Swim Team and specializes primarily in sprint freestyle and backstroke. He was runner-up in both the 100 free (48.14) and 100 back (51.84) at the 2021 North Carolina Independent Schools Division I State Championships. As a sophomore, he was second in the free (47.37) and 3rd in the back (52.50) at the 2020 state meet.

Hardy picked up his first-ever Summer Juniors cut at the 2021 YMCA Swim Festival in the spring with a 49.63 in the 100 back. He also notched PBs in the 50 free (21.22), 100 free, (46.00), and 200 free (1:43.08). He won the 100 free and 100 back and was an A-finalist in the 50 free and 200 free. He also contributed big swims on YOTA relays, anchoring the 200 medley relay in 20.40 and the 400 free relay in 45.08.

In long course season, Hardy picked up a Winter U.S. Open cut of 57.50 in the 100m back at the 2021 TAC Spring Invitational. He notched lifetime bests in the 50 free (24.57) and 200 free (2:02.07) at the TYR 18&U Spring Cup Orlando. At Summer Championships East, he wrapped up the season with PBs in the 100 free (53.31) and 200 back (2:13.70).

Top SCY times:

• 100 back – 49.63
• 50 free – 21.22
• 100 free – 46.00
• 200 free – 1:43.08

Hardy is 6’4″ and has yet to begin weight training. He is “excited about the opportunities that lay ahead with his new team and coaches at the U of A!” He will join Billy Oates, Hayden Ghugran, and Tommy Palmer in the Wildcats’ class of 2026.

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