Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Jose Castro, a high school senior in Atlanta, Georgia has committed to join the South Carolina Gamecocks class of 2026. Castro does his club swimming for SwimAtlanta and specializes in mid-distance and distance free, but also can swim IM and breaststroke
https://www.instagram.com/p/CT-DrwJrjTe/?utm_medium=share_sheet
At the 2021 Georgia Short Course Senior Champs, Castro made a slew of A finals while representing SwimAtlanta. He put up lifetime bests in the 200 free, 500 free, 400 IM and 200 IM while qualifying for the A final in all of his races. He also won the 1000 free in a new lifetime best of 9:22.46.
Casto’s lifetime bests include:
- 200 free: 1:39.57
- 500 free: 4:27.24
- 1000 free: 9:22.46
- 100 breast: 57.15
- 200 breast: 2:02.34
- 200 IM: 1:52.55
- 400 IM: 3:59.37
Castro joins a Gamecock program that appears to be on an upswing under first year head coach Jeff Poppell. While the first true test for South Carolina will be at the SEC Championships in Knoxville in just under two weeks, they are bringing some momentum into the meet after upsetting Missouri at home last weekend. The Gamecocks will look to improve upon their 10th place finish at last year’s SEC Championships, where they scored only 232 points.
Castro will have some improvements to make before he is ready to make a significant impact for the Gamecocks at the SEC Championships. At last year’s SECs, it took 1:36.63 to score in the 200 free, 4:22.75 to score in the 500 free, 3:52.88 in the 400 IM and 1:57.91 in the 200 breast. Castro’s arrival in Columbia comes at the right time for the Gamecocks, as their top two distance freestylers, Rafael Davila and Tamas Novoszath will both exhaust their eligibility this year.
Castro will join Kyle Korvick, Steven Busch and Tommy Mitchell as members of the South Carolina class of 2026.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour
Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.
FFT SOCIAL
Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster
FFT is a SwimSwam partner.
Congratulations Junior!