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Diego Valdes has announced his verbal commitment to swim and study at Xavier University, where he’ll join the team for the 2025-2026 season. Valdes, a butterfly and IM specialist, currently attends Saline High School in Saline, Michigan, and swims year-round with Club Wolverine.
I’m super excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at Xavier University! I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the endless love and support from my family, coaches, teammates, and anyone that’s just been nice to me in general. Also wanna give a special thanks to Coach Niergarth for this opportunity, Go Musketeers!
Although Valdes’ event specialty is butterfly, he is very versatile. He’s been 52.37 in the 100 back, in addition to 58.93 and 2:07.61 in the 100 and 200 breasts. He qualified for the 2024 Future Championships this past summer, where his highest finish came in the 100 LCM butterfly. He touched the wall in 58.19 at the meet, which earned him 29th place.
Valdes recently competed at the MHSAA Boys Division 1 State Championship in Holland, Michigan. He had a breakthrough meet, smashing his best times in both the 100-yard fly (49.15) and 200-yard IM (1:50.86). His 100 fly performance won him the state title, while the 200 IM earned him bronze.
Top SCY Times:
- 100 Butterfly: 49.15
- 200 Butterfly: 1:53.19
- 200 IM: 1:50.86
- 100 Backstroke: 52.37
- 100 Breaststroke: 58.93
- 200 Breaststroke: 2:07.61
Valdes would have ranked 3rd for Xavier in the 100 fly this season, in addition to being ranked 4th in the 200 IM. Junior Aiden Leamer was Xavier’s fastest swimmer in both the 100 fly and 200 IM, with times of 46.52 and 1:47.02, respectively.
2024-2025 Xavier Musketeers, Men’s 100 Fly Rankings:
- Aiden Leamer – 46.52 (junior)
- Matt Fralic – 48.50 (sophomore)
- Caleb Petranchuk – 49.39 (senior)
- Gage Hannewyk – 49.94 (senior)
- Owen Schwebach – 49.98 (freshman)
The Musketeers placed 3rd out of 5 teams at the 2025 Big East Championships, finishing just 21 points shy of 2nd place Seton Hall University. The team is led by head coach Lindsey Niergarth, who is in her first season at the helm of the program.
Webster will join fellow recruits Truman Brun, Sean McGinley, Chase Denigan, and Josh Martins at Xavier in the fall of 2025.
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