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Clarissa Bezuidenhout of Wake Forest, North Carolina has announced that she will be headed to Oakland University this upcoming fall to continue her education and swimming career. Bezuidenhout is currently wrapping up her senior year at Wake Forest High School.
She shared why she chose Oakland with SwimSwam:
“I love the team atmosphere and the coaching staff. Everyone was all so welcoming and so much fun to get to know. I also love the support offered for students and athletes.”
Bezuidenhout trains and competes year-round with YOTA Swim Team, which is a YMCA team located in the Raleigh area. She swims a little bit of everything, but earned her highest finish at YMCA Nationals in the 200 backstroke at 43rd (2:05.01). In addition to the 200 backstroke, she also raced in the 100 back (85th, 59.36), 100 breast (115th, 1:09.06), and 200 IM (65th, 2:10.65).
In December, Bezuidenhout had a fantastic meet at the NC YOTA Capital Classic. She won the 200 backstroke in a best time of 1:59.79, which marked her first time under 2:00 in the event. She also set a best time of 1:06.88 in the 100 breaststroke to take 11th, as well as a best time in the 100 free (54.13) to finish 15th.
Top SCY Times:
- 200 free – 1:52.99
- 100 back – 56.62
- 200 back – 1:59.79
- 100 breast – 1:06.88
- 200 breast – 2:24.71
- 200 IM – 2:06.41
Oakland University is a Division I mid-major program located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The Golden Grizzlies compete in the Horizon League, and are coming off of their 10th-straight Horizon League title. Fifth-year Susan LaGrand went on to compete at the NCAA Division I Championships for her third year in a row, where she competed in the 200 IM, 100 back, and 200 back.
LaGrand won the 200 backstroke at the Horizon League Championships in 1:54.74, topping the field by nearly four seconds. Senior Kiera Brough was the next highest finisher for Oakland at 3rd (2:01.44). Bezuidenhout’s current best time would have earned 3rd this year, meaning she’ll be in a good position to fill the gap left behind by LaGrand and Brough in the event.
Oakland recently named Mitch Alters as the head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach beginning May 8th. He replaces longtime head coach Pete Hovland, who retired after spending 44 years at Oakland.
Bezuidenhout joins Casey Sanders, Delaney Buckner, Ava McNamara, and Ariana Rice in Oakland’s incoming class of 2027. Buckner also swims the 200 backstroke, owning a best time of 2:03.07.
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