Axana Merckx, a senior at the Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School in Kelowna, British Columbia, has announced her verbal commitment to the University of Arizona for 2019-20. Oregon’s Ellie Jew also verbally committed to the class of 2023.
“I am very happy to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Arizona! They’re more than a, they’re a family and because of this my decision was easy. I’d like to thank Coach Augie for giving me this opportunity and all of the team for making me feel welcome. I can’t wait for the next four years as a Wildcat! Bear down!! ❤️💙”
Merckx represents Kelowna AquaJets year-round and is an IMer who also specializes in backstroke and breaststroke. She was the 2018 British Columbia Provincial Champion in the LCM 400 IM and in the SCM 100 back and 200 back. Her top times include:
| Top times | SCM (SCY) | LCM (SCY) |
| 400 IM | 4:50.83 (4:22.00) | 4:56.83 (4:21.64) |
| 200 IM | 2:18.11 (2:04.42) | 2:20.09 (2:03.32) |
| 200 backstroke | 2:11.48 (1:58.45) | 2:18:53 (2:02.63) |
| 100 backstroke | 1:02.19 (56.02) | 1:04:70 (57.20) |
| 200 breaststroke | 2:33.99 (2:18.72) | 2:38.14 (2:18.86) |
| 100 breaststroke | 1:13.16 (1:05.90) | 1:14.25 (1:05.09) |
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].
Dad is not the only genetic contributor here! … Her mum is a former elite level triathlete and elite road cyclist
Her grandfather is the legend. Imagine if Babe Ruth was still alive and you’ll have some sense of what Eddy Merckx is to Belgium.
That’s not to say Axana isn’t something special in her own right. She really is. A great person & a great swimmer. Good luck to her and congratulations to her family.
This girl has great genes. Her grandfather is the legendary Eddy Merckx, greatest cyclist in the history of the sport. Good luck to her at AZ
is that before or after the blood-doping started?