UPDATE: Cox has decided to transfer to Cal afterall. Read more here.
After yesterday’s news that former Auburn swimmer Dakota Hodgson would be transferring to USC, we received news that another former Tiger, Tony Cox, would also be packing up his bags and head westward to Los Angeles to swim for the Trojans.
Hodgson’s recruitment was exciting because of the potential that he has as the class of 2010’s #8 recruit. Cox’s is even moreso because of the immediate impact that he brings to USC and the Trojans. Last year, he placed 7th at NCAA’s in the 100 back (46.11 best) and also had the potential for points in the 100 fly (46.67) but scratched it.
Cox will begin attending class in the spring, and would immediately be eligible to swim at USC. He is weighing his options about whether to compete this year, but is leaning towards waiting until next season. He will have two years of eligibility left.
Cox also took a visit to Cal, and though he was excited at the prospects of swimming with Tom Shields, he ultimately decided that USC would be a better fit.
“At USC, I feel like I can have a big impact in the program, and be a top dog, which was exciting to me,” Cox told us. “They are building a great program, and I’m excited to be a part of that process.”
Cox will come in with the best flat-start times in both the 100 back and 100 fly for USC from last season, and should immediately be on the medley relays in some capacity (with the addition of Jodgson and Maclin Davis, my guess is that backstroke will be his focus).
He could also be a factor on the free relays, with a 50 best of 19.95, which would have been 4th for the Trojans last year. His best 100 free time is only 46.15, but that was done as a senior in high school. With the right focus and attention from the USC coaching staff, he should be a star for USC.
Salo is really building a complete program that should be a top-5 team in 2013, if not sooner.
The pair of Auburn transfers, Hodgson and Cox, made their decisions totally independently of each other, though Cox said that he was aware that his former and future teammate was also considering the Trojans.
Looking a little bit closer I found that Evan Noble transferred to Louisville. He was a 146/350 IMer last year as a freshman. For whatever reason, it’s true that many people are jumping ship. On the women’s side, the should have Micah Lawerence, but she skipped out and is swimming with SwimMac.
Hodgson’s decision to leave was mid year last year as he didn’t return from Christmas and I heard he had some health problems. Don’t know the details on Cox’s departure, but maybe he just wanted to be closer to home. I’m sure Alabama doesn’t feel anything like Cali.
Wow, I don’t know what to say. Auburn has such a great history, but it won’t last long with some of their top swimmers leaving. They flat-out cannot replace a 46+ backstroker, 46+ flyer, and a great mid distance/fly guy like Hodgson. It stinks of a team divided.
Is Brett Hawke having on-deck meltdowns again?
I guess it everyone is allowed to change their mind and a recruiting trip sometimes may not be the best indicator of a school/team, but two fast kids leaving in the same year?