Buckeyes Secure Verbal Commitment from Olympic Trials Qualifier Charlie Clark

Fitter and Faster Swim Clinics is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Sandusky, Ohio-native Charlie Clark has announced his decision to attend The Ohio State University in 2020-21. He is one of six swimmers to have made a verbal commitment to the Buckeyes’ class of 2024. He’ll join Ian Van Gorp, Jean-Pierre Khouzam, Justin Fleagle, Mario McDonald, and Owen Conley in Columbus in the fall of 2020.

“I am very excited to announce my verbal commitment to The Ohio State University! I chose OSU because of the coaching staff, the team atmosphere, and the vision they have for the program! GO BUCKS!!”

Clark is coming off a strong showing at Speedo Junior Nationals where he earned his first 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials cuts in the 800 free and 1500 free. Clark placed third in the 1500 on Tuesday with an 18-second drop, from a seed time of 15:51.42 to 15:33.51. On Saturday he placed seventh in the 800 free with 8:12.20 for a second OT cut. It would have been a best time by 10.8 seconds but he had gone 8:11.56 as a leadoff 800 in the 1500 on Tuesday. Between the two he competed in the 400 free (15th place with a PB of 4:01.13) and the 200 free.

A USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, Clark is a rising senior at Perkins High School. He was runner-up in the 500 free (4:30.80) and placed fourth in the 200 free (1:43.11) at the 2019 OHSAA Division 2 Championships as a junior. That was a big improvement from his 13th place in the 200 (1:44.30) and fifth in the 500 (4:40.70) the previous year.

In club swimming, Clark represents Vacationland Swim Club. He notched a ton of best times at the Lake Erie Senior Championships in March, including the SCY 50/500 free and 100/200 back and LCM 200 free. (The meet format was SCY in prelims, LCM in finals.) He won the 200/400/800/1500 free and was an A-finalist in the 50 free, 100 back, and 200 back.

The Ohio State men’s distance squad hasn’t had the same success as its women’s team. Outgoing senior Nick Hogsed was the top scorer at 2019 B1G Championships with an eighth-place finish in the 500 free and an eleventh in the 1650. Clark will overlap one year with Carson Burt who was 23rd and 16th in those events.

Top SCY times:

  • 1650 free – 15:43.60
  • 1000 free – 9:24.52
  • 500 free – 4:30.74
  • 200 free – 1:42.31

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].

About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour

The Fitter & Faster Swim Tour produces swim clinics featuring elite stars of the sport and the most innovative teaching platforms. FFT Swim Clinics can be customized to meet age and skill level of every team and community. Call 786-837-6880 or visit http://www.fitterandfaster.com/ to learn more.

FFT SOCIAL

Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour

Facebook – @fitterandfastertour

Twitter – @fitterandfaster

FFT is a SwimSwam partner.

In This Story

9
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

9 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
DIIIer
4 years ago

Ok, I have a real problem with this — how is Sandusky, Ohio Vacationland? I mean, I see the roller coasters in the background of the photo, but shouldn’t that name be reserved for a club in Maine??? Its literally the state motto and on the sign when you enter the state. #lobstah 🙂

Landrew
Reply to  DIIIer
4 years ago

Is the US so small that we can only have one Vacationland?

Admin
Reply to  DIIIer
4 years ago

The Miss Ohio beauty pageant officially recognized the area as “Vacationland” in 1962, when the area was firist allowed to award “Miss Vacationland” titles. I mean, I don’t know how much more official you can get than that.

(Also, Cedar Point is an insane amusement park, and has been there since 1870.)

DIIIer
Reply to  Braden Keith
4 years ago

It was first printed on the Maine license plates in 1936, so they have you beat by almost 30 years there.

And DMV officialism > Miss Ohio Beauty Pageant officialism. I mean, just try operating a car without all the proper paperwork and see how it goes when you get pulled over . . . . so I’ve heard . . . .

Swim2392
Reply to  DIIIer
4 years ago

there can be more than one vacationland

NoFlyKick
Reply to  Braden Keith
4 years ago

This has got to be one of the most obscure bits of trivia I have ever seen! Seriously, whow knew that Sandusky, OH began awarding the “Miss Vacationland” title in 1962? I’m with DIIIER, Maine has done a better job of claiming the title ‘Vacationland”.

Swim2392
Reply to  DIIIer
4 years ago

Can’t there be more than one Vacationland?

swimmer
4 years ago

He’s gonna be a great addition to Buckeyes 2024

IM/BR/FLY
4 years ago

Congratulations Charlie! You’re going to do big things!

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 …

Read More »