Canadian National Team member Abby Dunford has announced her commitment to Kentucky for fall 2025. Dunford was originally committed to Michigan for fall 2024 but received a complete release from her National Letter of Intent (NLI) in April.
Back when she received her complete release, Dunford originally told SwimSwam “I plan on being in another program this fall of 2024.” Instead, she will now wait until next fall to begin her collegiate career, arriving in 2025. Dunford has given an updated statement to SwimSwam saying that the delay is due to the “very short time between my decision to attend the University of Kentucky and the start of the school year.”
Dunford represents Canada at the international level but trains with the Sarasota Sharks in Florida, something that Canadian superstar Summer McIntosh does as well.
Dunford has not competed in a meet since June 2023 when she swam the 800 freestyle at the Sarasota Shark Open. That was her lone event of the meet. There she swam a 8:48.91, about 10 seconds off her lifetime best of a 8:38.01 that she swam at 2022 Canadian Trials. Dunford was set to compete in the 10km Open Water event at 2023 Worlds last July but withdrew due to a shoulder injury.
Her time from June 2023 was faster than she was at 2023 Canadian Trials as she swam a 8:52.52 for 6th then. Her best time from 2022 Trials would have won the event at the time.
Dunford’s best SCY times are:
- 1650 free – 16:04.27 (altitude adjusted)
- 1000 free – 9:50.79 (alt adjusts to 9:45.79)
- 500 free – 4:44.47
- 200 free – 1:50.53
Dunford is a huge pick-up for the Kentucky women who enter their second season under head coach Bret Lundgaard. The team finished 9th at SECs and went on to send two swimmers to NCAAs.
Dunford’s best time in the 1650 freestyle would have been the fastest on the roster this past season for the Wildcats as Megan Drumm led the team with a 16:21.08. Dunford also would have been 4th on the team in the 500 free.
Based on her best times, Dunford would have been 5th in the 1650 free and made the ‘B’ final of the 500 free at SECs. In addition, Dunford is within NCAA invite range as it took a 16:14.82 this past season.
