Alabama Secures Verbal from 2x MN Record-holder John Shelstad

John Shelstad, a senior at Minnetonka High School in Minnetonka, Minnesota, has verbally committed to swim for the University of Alabama next fall.

“I’m excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Alabama! Thank you to my family, friends, and coaches who have supported me along the way. ROLL TIDE!!!”

Shelstad is a two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and a multi-time NISCA All-American. He broke two Minnesota all-time and MSHSL Class AA records last March as part of the Minnetonka 200 medley and 400 free relays. Shelstad split a 21.51 butterfly leg on the medley, helping Minnetonka take down the all-time state and AA records, and clocking the second-fastest medley relay time in the country for the 2016-17 season. He also led off the record-breaking 400 free relay in 45.48, helping Minnetonka log the seventh-fastest 4×100 free in the country. Individually, he was runner-up in the 200 IM (1:49.30) and took third in the 100 free (45.53). He earned lifetime bests in both the IM and free at the meet.

In club swimming, Shelstad represents Aquajets Swim Team. At the conclusion of high school season he went on to throw down impressive performances at NCSA Spring Championships, making the finals of the 100 free, 50/100 breast, 50 fly, and 200 IM, and updated his PBs in the 200 free, 50/100 breast, and 50/100 fly.

Best SCY times:

  • 200 IM – 1:49.30
  • 100 free – 45.38
  • 50 free – 20.91
  • 100 breast – 56.42
  • 100 fly – 50.43

Shelstad will join Cole Brown, Nicholas Perera, Noland Deas, and Spencer Walker in the Alabama class of 2022.

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].

 

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THESCHILLS
6 years ago

Nobody will work as hard as John to help his team grow and win. John’s wicked fast Fly helped Minnetonka HS get the National Public High School record in the 200 Medley Relay. Congrats John and ROLL TIDE!

Gig em
6 years ago

Wow. Very promising and versatile swimmer. Best of luck to him and his future.

Dan
6 years ago

Congratulations

Linn Grossman
6 years ago

Congratulations John!

NEWTOSWIMSWAM
6 years ago

John finished first in 200mIM at Texas Futures this summer, but didn’t get the win due to a questionable DQ. Bama is lucky to have him.

CrimsonFan
6 years ago

Congrats, Roll Tide

rabamafan
6 years ago

John is an extremely versatile swimmer who has the potential to become one of the best to swim the 200 IM in school history. BAMA has signed seven male swimmers thus far. The future looks bright in Tuscaloosa.

PVK
6 years ago

38 100 free? Whoa.

Reply to  PVK
6 years ago

Hi PVK. The actual time is 45.38. It’s been fixed. Thanks.

About Anne Lepesant

Anne Lepesant

Anne Lepesant is the mother of four daughters, all of whom swam in college. With an undergraduate degree from Princeton (where she was an all-Ivy tennis player) and an MBA from INSEAD, she worked for many years in the financial industry, both in France and the U.S. Anne is currently …

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