Fitter and Faster Swim Camps 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.
Hampton Stuecker has made a verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of North Carolina, beginning in the fall of 2027. Stuecker confirmed the decision on SwimCloud, writing:
I am thrilled to announce my commitment to swim and study at UNC Chapel Hill. I am so thankful to Coach Mike and the whole Lakeside program for forming my ability and discipline. Thank you Coach Mark and UNC team for the honor to be a Tarheel.
Top SCY Times:
- 500 Freestyle: 4:31.97
- 1650 Freestyle: 15:33.68
- 200 Butterfly: 1:50.45
- 400 IM: 3:55.32
The future Tar Heel hails from Louisville, Kentucky, where he attends Trinity High School and trains year-round with Lakeside Swim Team. A distance specialist, his top event is the 1650 freestyle, while he’s also strong in the 500 free, 400 IM, and 200 butterfly.
The 2024-25 season saw him make some massive strides in the pool, particularly in the 1650, where he dropped from 16:18.40 to 15:33.68. He also improved dramatically in his other top events, lowering his times by about ten seconds in both the 500 free and 400 IM, from 4:41.20 to 4:31.97 in the 500 free and 4:05.47 to 3:55.32 in the 400 IM. Furthermore, he sliced nearly six seconds off his 200 fly PB, dropping from 1:56.10 to 1:50.45.
Stuecker’s best time in the mile comes from the Winter Junior Championships in December, his first time qualifying for the meet, where he touched 24th. His other lifetime bests were set at the Speedo Southern Premier in February, where he finished third in the mile (15:34.56) just off his best time, sixth in the 400 IM, seventh in the 500 free, and 17th in the 200 fly.
Under the direction of head coach Mark Gangloff, the Tar Heel men finished fourth out of 15 teams at the 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championships. It was a blockbuster year for the squad as they were eighth out of 11 teams in 2024. The team went on to place 23rd at the NCAA Championships.
The conference meet offers ‘A,’ ‘B,’ and ‘C’ finals, and it took times of 1:44.27 in the 200 fly, 3:47.80 in the 400 IM, and 4:20.80 in the 500 free to make the top 24 and score. In the mile, swum as a timed final, his current PB would have put him 21st at last year’s meet, earning the Tar Heels four points, so he will enter as an immediate contributor at the conference level. UNC did not have anyone race the event at the conference meet, so he fills a much-needed gap.
On the team’s 2024-25 depth chart, Stuecker would have ranked third in the mile, sixth in the 500 free, eighth in the 400 IM, and 10th in the 200 fly. Sophomore Keith Williams (15:16.22) and freshman Brady Begin (15:21.95) led the mile with in-season times, though neither swam the event at ACCs. Stuecker will overlap one year with Williams and two with Begin, giving him strong distance freestyle training partners.
Stuecker is the second publicized commit in the Tar Heels’ class of 2031, joining breaststroker Issac Adanin.
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
Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.
FFT SOCIAL
Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster
FFT is a SwimSwam partner.
i hate hampton
So much for academics….
well, can you please share with people what else should it for (at least in your mind) ? Thank you