Queens University has a ton of top-end talent with the freshman Matthew Josa leading the way, but as still a relatively-new program, they’re working on the depth that wins team titles at the Division II level.
They’ve added to that depth with the addition of Austin Saunders, who will join the team in the fall as a transfer after sitting out the 2013-2014 season.
“I chose Queens University because of the prestigious coaching background of Coach Jeff Dugdale and his success of getting swimming to perform at such a high caliber that I am looking for. It is much closer to home (than Indiana); only a 13 hour drive and the campus is absolutely amazing from what I have seen online.”
Saunders swam 4 meets for Indiana as a freshman in the 2012-2013 season, with his last meet being a quad meet with Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Iowa on January 19th, 2013. That meet likely burns his first year of eligibility, so he’ll have three remaining at Queens.
He’s largely a sprint freestyler and butterflier, with lifetime bests of 20.94/46.45 in the 50 and 100 yard freestyles, plus 49.5/1:50.4 in the 100 and 200 yard flys. All of those times are from high school, though he has been racing for his native Pompano Beach Piranhas in his native Florida since leaving Indiana. He trains there under Olympian Jesse Vasallo and Paralympian Justin Zook.
Even without any assumption of improvement once he arrives at Queen (and that’s a very conservative assumption), Saunders shoul hdave an immediate impact on Queens. Depending on what else happens between now and next fall, he gives them another medley relay option as the 2nd-best butterflier behind Josa, which might allow them to use Josa somewhere else (though he’s the best 100 flyer in the country).
Saunders should also be on the free relays as well, and will be close to scoring in the 100 and 200 fly races at the Division II National championship meet.
Saunders will major in sports broadcasting at Queens.
