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.
Armando Vegas, a junior at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, California, had announced his verbal commitment to the University of Texas for 2020-21.
“The decision to commit to Texas was a combination of great team atmosphere, amazing coaches, and the city of Austin, which is an incredible place where I’m glad I’ll be able to live for the next four years. The team environment and legacy was an aspect that couldn’t be outmatched and was a considerable factor that convinced me to commit there. I’m really excited to be a longhorn.”
Vegas swims for the club team Crow Canyon Country Club Sharks and was one of 48 boys chosen to attend USA Swimming’s 2018 National Select Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs last October. He had an strong long course season last summer, beginning at Santa Clarita Sectionals where he went best times in the LCM 100 free (55.94), 200 free (1:59.90), 400 free (4:16.63), 100 fly (57.08), and 200 fly (2:03.86), and ending at Speedo Summer Junior Nationals where he improved his PBs in the 100 back (1:02.37) and 200 back (2:13.71). In December he notched lifetime bests at Winter Juniors West in the 100/200 fly and finaled in the latter. He also earned a PB in the 200 free at Time Trials.
Vegas will suit up for the Longhorns with fellow class of 2024 verbal commits Brendan McCourt, Carson Foster, Coby Carrozza, Ethan Heasley, and Victor Tremblay.
Top SCY times:
- 200 fly – 1:49.26
- 100 fly – 50.01
- 200 back – 1:54.80
- 100 back – 52.95
- 200 free – 1:41.98
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 786-837-6881 or visit http://www.fitterandfaster.com/ to learn more.
FFT SOCIAL
Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster
FFT is a SwimSwam partner.
I love the walk-on stories because I was one. Not recruited, swam only 2 seasons in high school and worked my tail off for my team, conference championships, my coach and funding. And, my results showed that. I’d much rather read that story than that of an entitled club swimmer, recruited at 2:00.0 2Back and graduates with a 1:59.99. Oooh, mid-major success story? Nah, she just drained a scholarship from the program thinking she was hot stuff. She should have been at a major uni struggling to make the travel team.
Congratulations Armando! Excellent choice! Hook ‘em horns!
One of the things my son’s club coach told him was to figure out if he wanted to be:
1. A big fish in a small pond
2. A small fish in a big pond
Ie, contribute right away or go somewhere where he would be a more borderline roster add and yet be thrilled about being on a top tier program (dream school, etc)
I’ve seen kids from his club team take both routes and be perfectly happy, as long as they went in with eyes wide open about what they were getting into. That’s really the biggest key.
This is the first thing that I tell every athlete asking for advice on the topic as well.
While I do agree that this earlier recruiting process now forces coaches to look at potential in these younger swimmers, it also drives coaches to look at the whole person and what these kids might bring to the team besides just fast swim times–like strong academics, positive energy and leadership. The coaches at the strongest swim and dive programs set themselves apart by doing this well, as many of the above comments have provided examples. Keep in mind, there are many important roles on the swim team. Good coaches realize they need these swimmers in each recruiting class to mentor the underclassman in other aspects of the college experience besides swimming AND to create a positive team culture because in… Read more »
Really nice to see the positive comments way outnumber the haters on this thread. Hate seems to dominant too much in general and especially on comment threads across digital media. Swimmers as a whole are better than that and good to see swim commenters don’t tolerate it as well. To echo Sunshine, college swimming is a team sport. Culture and leadership that leads to being committed to your swim brothers and sisters is a huge part of both performance and building that lasting family feel that makes 4 years of practicing at 6am feel worth it. Seeing the Longhorn family in the stands at NCAAs really showed me how they built that culture across many swim generations. Anyone who wants… Read more »
He faces a hard road ahead. With his speed he will have a very hard time at practice. Always love a good kid that tries to make it. 99% don’t but its amazing to watch those that do. Best of luck kid.
Armando eres el mejor, suerte
Remember the comments on Nate Biondi? Personally I think this one is a bit of a head scratcher. But if they have enough room for him on the development squad then go ahead and let him give it a shot. What’s he been doing since December? Not much according to swim results maybe he plays another sport or something like that.
For all of those with negative comments, you do realize this is a HS junior who is 16 or 17 years old that you are anonymously bashing?? So only those with potential to score at NCAA’s as freshman should report their commitments otherwise risk being badmouthed in the comments? Maybe if the Texas coaches have confidence in him being a valuable part of their team, you should respect that and either say congrats, or nothing at all if you don’t have something nice to say.