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Oksana Chaput, who hails from Winnipeg in the Canadian province of Manitoba, has announced her verbal commitment to the University of Minnesota for 2021-22. Together with Hannah Cornish from Port Perry, Ontario, that makes two Canadians for the Golden Gophers’ class of 2025. Eliot Kennedy from Bloomington, Illinois has also indicated her intention to swim for Minnesota in 2021.
Chaput is a member of the Manta Swim Club where she trains under head coach Robert Novak. She specializes mainly in free and fly and is a Canadian Junior National champion.
“I am thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and swimming career at the University of Minnesota! The moment I stepped on campus and met the coaches and the team, I knew this was a perfect fit for me! I would like to thank my friends, family and coaches for all their love and support. I’m excited to represent the University of Minnesota and be part of a history of academic and swimming success! Go Gophers! #SkiUMah”
Chaput is coming off a strong 2019 long course season in which she lowered her personal-best times in just about all her top events. At the Canadian Junior Championships in July, she won the 200m free (2:03.66), was runner-up in the 100m free (57.27), 400m free (4:24.88), and 800m free (9:11.77). She was also an A-finalist in the 50m free (7th with 26.91), 100m fly (8th with 1:03.33), and 200m fly (5th with 2:19.88). The 200/800 free and 200 fly were PBs. She also competed at Canadian Nationals in August and came in 7th in the 100m free with a PB of 56.90.
LCM times (converted to SCY):
- 50 Free – 26.39 (23.05)
- 100 Free – 56.90 (49.81)
- 200 Free – 2:03.66 (1:48.52)
- 400 Free – 4:23.75 (4:55.51)
- 50 Fly – 27.99 (24.58)
- 100 Fly – 1:02.09 (54.67)
- 200 Fly – 2:19.88 (2:03.49)
Chaput will be an immediate-impact player for Minnesota in 2021. Her converted 100 time would have made the B final and her 50/200 free times would have scored in the C finals at 2019 B1G Championships. In addition to her individual contributions, Chaput will be valuable on relays, as well. Minnesota’s 4×50 free relays consisted of three high-level seniors last year (Zoe Avestruz, Kaia Grobe, and Chantal Nack) and the 4×100 and 4×200 also included current senior Tevyn Waddell, which means Chaput will have an important role to play in the rebuilding of the sprint group. Freshman Jordan McGinty and sophomore Kate Sullivan are leading the charge so far this year.
For reference it took 23.10/50.57/1:48.56/4:49.02 in the freestyle events and 54.50/2:00.65 in butterfly to get a second swim at the conference meet last season.
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Coach Rob!!! 💪💪💪