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.
#20 ranked recruit in the high school class of 2027 Ellis Crisci has announced his commitment to swim and study at Texas beginning in fall 2027. Crisci hails from Lawrence, Kansas.
“I’m proud to announce my verbal commitment to The University of Texas, Austin to pursue my athletic and academic career. I’m so thankful for my parents and family for always supporting my goals and going above and beyond to give me the opportunity to achieve them. To my coach Tom Kleiboeker, thank you for transforming me as an athlete but also as a person. Thank you as well to all my Tsunami Kc teammates. And of course I’m extremely grateful to Coach Bowman, Coach Erik, Coach Trevor, and the entire staff at Texas for giving me this opportunity.”
Crisci swims for Tsunami Swim Team of KC and finished his long course season at the Pro Championships where he was 10th in the 800 free in a 8:05.94. A week prior, he swam at Summer Juniors where he had numerous top 8 swims. He finished 2nd in the 1500 free in a 15:22.95, 6th in the 800 free in a 8:05.88, and 5th in the 400 free in a lifetime best 3:54.02.
This past March, he finished his short course yards season at Sectionals in Columbia. There he posted lifetime bests in the 200 free (1:38.75), 500 free (4:20.75), 1000 free (8:55.28), 200 fly (1:49.05), and 400 IM (3:54.06).
Crisci’s Best SCY Times Are:
- 1650 free: 15:12.83
- 500 free: 4:20.75
- 200 free: 1:38.61
- 200 fly: 1:49.05
- 400 IM: 3:54.06
The Texas men captured the 2025 NCAA team title in Bob Bowman‘s first season with the Longhorns after previously leading Arizona State to an NCAA title in 2024. Leading the way for the Longhorns was Hubert Kos as he won the 100 back, 200 back, and 200 IM.
Based on his best times, Crisci is just off what it took to score at the conference level in the 1650 free as it took a 15:04.12 to make the top 24. Crisci still has two years before his arrival on campus. Rex Maurer was the team’s top 1650 freestyler this past season as he swam to a 14:25.22 for 2nd at 2025 NCAAs.
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.
If you don’t commit to Texas early, you will be left behind. Smart move by Crisci! #HOOKEM
Why would you not go to Texas what with the program there?
Some people would prefer not to be a secondary priority and just a replaceable number on a roster in the eyes of their HC
Some people don’t like the big city feel
Some people can’t handle the academics
Some prefer to live in California or Florida
Some people don’t like to be challenged.
Let me count the ways.
Because you care about actually getting a degree, and not just taking online courses for 4 years?
Not sure how this is relevant to Texas, a top 10 public university…
Because you would like to treated like a human being, not just a time or a medal or a title to stroke somebody’s ego
Wonder if there will even be a roster spot for him then?
11 seniors this year (didn’t count Enyart, as I don’t know his eligibility) and one “protected” spot that I know of, probably more, so 18 or less next year.
Just thinking of transfers, etc. I feel like with some of these kids, they are committing now but if they aren’t the top of the top and they don’t improve over the next 2 years, then they may lose their spot to late risers/transfers, especially at a top team like Texas. Not worried so much about that for non-top teams.
Bowman’s milkshake brings all the boys to Texas yard 🎵🎶
Gross
Out goes Enyeart, in comes Crisci by the time 2027 rolls around.
Also, Luka in the comments throwing up the horns 😎
He (Luka) has also been at Cal back to back weekends. We shall see!
I figure you were there in person, but I saw some of the pictures online and I can’t remember the last time I actually saw Dave Durden on a social media post. Thought that was noteworthy
Yeah, I saw him on campus with his parents last weekend. So I was surprised/ encouraged to see him back this past weekend via social media, with a bunch of the 2026 commits and high pri 2027 targets.
But… I’m certainly not counting Bowman out. Would not be surprised if he lands at Texas.
It’s interesting because I feel like the pull to Texas is the mid-d group (all due respect to Noah Yanchulis and whoever works the mid-d guys at Cal, I think Gabriel Jett at US Nationals was awesome) and the pull to Cal is probably the fact that his mom went there and as someone who lived in the Bay Area, I know that like 99% of the little kids in the area that show some talent and are fast want to go to Cal. I’m very interested to see where he goes.
I also saw Rylee Erisman on some posts and I’m very intrigued to see what Dave^2 & co can do with the women’s team. I knew Teri a… Read more »
I see it the same way. I’d feel a lot more confident if he were a sprinter or backstroker. But beating Bowman/Texas for an elite (generational?) mid-d recruit will be no easy feat, even with Luka’s Cal ties.
Yeah, Rylee and Audrey Deriveaux were both visiting this past weekend. Amazing how well Dave^2 have been recruiting on the women’s side after the Terry scandal. They have completely revitalized the program in 2-3 years.
It’s also the Josh factor. No matter your opinion on him, he is an amazing recruiter
True! And Noah seems like a rising star as well.
That’s a pretty dangerous allegation. What are they guilty of, besides being good, young recruiters for schools you don’t root for?
I’m not surprised. Both Dave and David are two of the best coaches/recruiters out there.
I kinda get the feeling Cal will nab Erisman and Deriveaux, curious to see what happens
Talking about Luka being generational, you reminded me of this article: https://swimswam.com/top-ncaa-mens-swimming-recruits-of-the-past-decade/
Probably top 3 coolest article swimswam’s ever put out
I think texas
With roster spots tight in the future, Crisci getting a spot may mean Bob knows Texas isn’t getting Luka
insane ball knowledge
Or, with roster spots tight in the future, we know that these early commitments don’t hold a lot of water.
Yeah I wouldn’t read much into that