Janet Hu Verbally Commits to Stanford

To announce commitments, email us at [email protected]

Nation’s Capital Swim Club senior Janet Hu has become the first major female swimmer to commit in the class of 2014, as she verbally committed to Stanford according to collegeswimming.com’s recruiting database.

Hu, who we ranked as the #2 recruit in the class of 2014, is a highly versatile sprinter with bests of 52.0 in the 100 yard back, 1;53.4 in the 200 yard back, 22.1 in the 50 free, 52.0 in the 100 fly, and 1:55.7 in the 200 fly.

Even with the loaded classes of backstrokers coming out, a 52.0 in the 100 backstroke should put her in the top 8 as a freshman, as it should in the fly.

For head coach Greg Meehan, who took over the program prior to last season, this is his second huge recruit in as many years, as last fall he landed a commitment from Olympian Lia Neal, who is arguably the #2 recruit in her class as well. The year before that, Maddy Schaefer was probably the class’ top sprinter. That’s three straight years of getting the #1 or #2 sprinter in the class, which means that Stanford’s sprint free relays that were 4th and 5th at NCAA’s in 2013 could be even better for the next half-a-decade.

Though recruits cannot sign until later in the fall, July 1st is the first day that coaches are allowed to call recruits on a regular basis and discuss scholarships, so this should be the beginning of a rush on commitments. Last year, we saw an unusually early verbal commitment season, and between Hu and Paul Powers (already committed to Michigan) it would seem as though things are going to get even earlier this year.

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Ecb
11 years ago

Great pic Stanford! Janet is legendary in the DC area for not only being a fantastc versatile swimmer but a smart, respectful and humble teammate. Congrats!

AuburnMadman
11 years ago

brutal…

Hugo Miller
11 years ago

Who else is on their short list for 2014? I’m loving Stanford’s team right now especially with Maya just killing it at Worlds. Where is Stanford weak? Not seeing any except for depth perhaps. Exciting!

Interested Fan
Reply to  Hugo Miller
11 years ago

I think the Cardinal needs some mid-D/D swimmers. Perhaps there are a couple of those on their short list. Someone for the 200 FR/500 FR/mile/800 FR relay.

ShrimpNGrits
11 years ago

Great choice for her. Top school, great coach.
Good luck!

Hugo Miller
11 years ago

This is great news! Congrats to Greg ( and Tracy). I love Stanford getting the quiet names while Cal gets the distracting big name. Could make for a very interesting dual especially w/ Cal still ignoring their breaststroke hole. Sarah Hasse will exploit that weakness.

EmilyR
Reply to  Hugo Miller
11 years ago

i’ve read that Teri wants to explore working on Missy’s breast. could be some untapped potential there, you never know.

but getting back to reality, yeah, Janet will be a major major asset to Greg & co – congrats to all!

Hugo Miller
Reply to  EmilyR
11 years ago

Yes, I remember Missy used to be one of the top age group breaststrokers a few years ago… this is an interesting concept. Too bad it’s only a 2 year gig…. I don’t like that part of it, wish she’d stay the whole time, but can’t blame her. I still think it could be a distraction to an already cohesive group. Just my dumb opinion

AuburnMadman
Reply to  Hugo Miller
11 years ago

I sort of agree, the media is going to create a lot of challenges for the other girls… maybe they’ll like the extra attention that Missy brings. I think Cal wins next two years even w/o a breaststroker.

Reid
Reply to  Hugo Miller
11 years ago

Yeah, there’s a reason Missy Franklin is the biggest, most distracting name…

Chris
Reply to  Hugo Miller
11 years ago

They haven’t been ignoring their breastroke; there just haven’t been many distinguished breastrokers coming out of high school recently, and the ones Cal did get haven’t developed.

AuburnMadman
Reply to  Chris
11 years ago

It does appear to be neglected when you see that Auburn had 4 girls go under a minute this year…. just saying.

Hugo Miller
Reply to  AuburnMadman
11 years ago

Auburn = 13th at NCAA’s… they have bigger issues to contend with.

AuburnMadman
Reply to  Hugo Miller
11 years ago

that hurts.

bobo gigi
11 years ago

Huge recruit for Stanford! I had said yesterday that if I was a college coach I would recruit Janet Hu. She’s a beast in yards and is so versatile. Stanford’s relays are very strong now.

John Sampson
11 years ago

Nice! Their relay presence will be phenominal in the next couple years; she will most likely swim all 5. I hope Stanford gets a few more big names as well as depth, Greg definitely has shown that he can develop stars!!

ArtVanDeLegh10
Reply to  John Sampson
11 years ago

If she’s on 5 relays, then she only swims 2 individual events. I don’t see that happening.

Klorn8d
Reply to  ArtVanDeLegh10
11 years ago

I see her doing the 50 free and 100 of fly and back then all the relays besides the 800 (though she still could put up a good 200 split its her weakest of the relays)

James
11 years ago

Gotta keep up with their bay area rival I assume…

The Grand Inquisitor
Reply to  James
11 years ago

actually, just trying to keep pace with the rest of the Stanford athletic department…

http://www.nacda.com/sports/directorscup/spec-rel/061413aac.html

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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