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North Carolina high school state champion Liam Drake has announced his commitment to swim for Georgia Tech beginning in the fall of 2027. A strong distance freestyler, Drake was ranked a “Best of the Rest” recruit in the boys’ high school class of 2027.
“I am incredibly blessed to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Georgia Tech! I want to thank my friends, family, Coach Ethan, Coach Jenni and all of RSA for helping me get to where I am today. I’d also like to thank Coach John, Coach Iago, and all the GT staff for this amazing opportunity! Go Jackets!”
A junior at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, NC, Drake has been a member of his school’s varsity swimming and diving team since his freshman year. He also currently swims year-round with Raleigh Swimming Association, where he primarily specializes in distance free.
At the 2025 Speedo Winter Junior Championship – East in December, Drake turned in a series of strong performances. He placed 7th in the 1650 free (15:15.99 – SB), 8th in the 1000 free (9:08.18 – SB), 10th in the 500 free (4:23.94 – PB) and 34th in the 200 free (1:38.85 – PB).
A few months later, Drake delivered another string of fast swims at the North Carolina Senior Champs in February. He won the 1000 free (8:59.70) and 1650 free (15:09.59) and took 2nd in the 500 free (4:22.21), 3rd in the 200 free (1:38.72) and 9th in the 400 IM (3:58.21), logging new personal best times in each event. He also contested the 100 free (47.67) and 200 fly (1:57.91), posting a lifetime best time of 1:56.27 during the prelims of the 200 fly.
Drake has competed at the North Carolina state championships the past three years in a row, picking up two state titles at the 2026 iteration of the meet. At the 2026 NCHSAA 7A State Championship, he prevailed in the 500 free (4:23.32) and helped his team to a victory in the 400 free relay, splitting a time of 45.96 as the anchor leg. He also placed 4th in the 200 free (1:38.76) and helped Cardinal Gibbons to a 3rd-place finish in the 200 free relay.
Over the summer, Drake raced at the 2025 National Championships (LCM), where he finished 25th in the 1500 free (16:00.98 – PB). He went on to compete at the Junior National Championships (LCM) two months later, turning in another series of top performances. He placed 18th in the 1500 free with a lifetime best time of 15:49.38, in addition to contesting the 400 free (4:04.68), 800 free (8:22.08), 50 breast (32.43 – PB) and 50 fly (27.91 – PB).
Best Times SCY
- 200 free – 1:38.72
- 500 free – 4:22.21
- 1000 free – 8:59.70
- 1650 free – 15:09.59
A Division I program, Georgia Tech competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference, with the men’s team placing 12th out of 15 teams at this season’s conference championships. Based on the results from the 2026 Atlantic Coast Championships, Drake would have placed 19th in the 1650 free, giving him a chance to score a few points for the Yellow Jackets. Meanwhile, it took times of 1:34.69/4:20.07 to earn a second swim in the 200/500 free, putting Drake outside the cutoff in those races.
On the team itself, Drake would currently rank 1st in the 1000 free, 2nd in 1650 free and 3rd in the 500 free based on the Yellow Jackets’ performances so far this season. With another full season to go before he heads to Atlanta, we will have to wait and see exactly how the roster shakes out.
Joining Drake in the pool in the fall of 2027 will be fellow North Carolina native Charley Sutorus (breast/fly/IM), who should make for a strong training partner over their four years together.
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Congratulations, Liam!