The University of Minnesota men’s swimming and diving team has jumped into the class of 2019 recruiting cycle with its first verbal commitment from Littleton, Colorado backstroker Gavin Olson. Olson made our list of top prospects from the class of 2019 as an Honorable Mention. He announced his decision via social media.
Olson is a junior at Littleton’s Columbine High School. He is the reigning Colorado 5A state champion in the 100 back, having won the event in 48.35 last May at the 2017 CHSAA Boys Championships during his sophomore season. He also won the consolation final of the 200 IM (1:53.58). Swimming for his club team, Foothills Swim Team, Olson has had an impressive winter and spring. After placing fifth in both the 100 back and 200 back at Winter Juniors West, and snagging PBs in both those events plus the 200 IM, he further lowered all his best times at the TXLA Speedo Super Sectionals in March. There he won the 200 back (PB by 1.3 seconds) and the 100 back (PB by .03). He finished 7th in the 100 fly (PB by 3.3), 7th in the 200 IM (PB by .5), 8th in the 100 free (PB by 1.8, and 12th in the 50 free (PB by .4).
Olson’s best 100 back time, swum in prelims, would have given the Golden Gophers their only finalist (C final) in the 100 back at 2018 B1G Championships. Freshman Cale Berkoff turned in their top performance with 48.32 to finish 26th. Olson would have made the B final in the 200 back, again as Minnesota’s fastest. Sophomore Nicholas Saulnier qualified for the C final and finished 18th overall with 1:43.16.
Top SCY times:
- 50 back – 23.08
- 100 back – 48.05
- 200 back – 1:43.40
- 200 IM – 1:49.89
- 100 fly – 49.40
- 100 free – 45.92
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].
They are lucky to have him. Congratulations Gavin.
Ski-U-Mah! Congrats Gavin!