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Yara Hierath, an open water specialist from Germany who now lives in the U.S. and swims for Badger Swim Club in Larchmont, New York, has verbally committed to the University of California, San Diego for 2020-21.
“So excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my swimming and academic career at the University of California-San Diego. A huge thank you to my family and coaches who made this possible. Can’t wait for this journey to begin!! Go Tritons!!!! #classof2024”
Hierath represented Germany at the 2019 European Junior Open Water Swimming Championships in Račice last month, going 2:02.03.4 in the 10km to finish tenth. Earlier in the summer, she had hit the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying standard in the 800 free with 8:46.70 at the Senior Mets LSC Long Course Championships. She notched Summer Juniors cuts in the 100 back (1:04.14) and 200 back (2:18.04) at LIAC’s Speedo Long Island Challenge in April.
Hierath competed at 2018 Winter Nationals, where she finaled in the 400 IM (4:51.53 for 11th) and 200 IM (2:18.17 for 12th) and placed 11th in both the 800 free (8:50.12) and 1500 free (16:53.38). She wrapped up the 2018-19 short-course season with PBs in the 100 free (51.54), 1650 free (16:33.00) and 200 back (1:58.45) at Senior Mets in February.
Most of Hierath’s best times are in LCM and date from 2018. She had an outstanding meet at European Junior Championships that summer, finishing second in the 400 IM, fifth in the 200 IM, ninth in the 200 free, and tenth in the 400 free.
Hierath will be a huge addition to the Tritons’ squad in the fall of 2020. Her best times (both SCY and LCM-to-SCY converted) would have made her the fastest 100/200/500/1000/1650 freestyler, 200 backstroker, and 200/400 IMer on the team. She could have scored a ton of points at NCAA Division II Championships; her converted times would have won the 500 free, placed 2nd in the 1000, 1650 and 400 IM, and placed third in the 200 IM. UCSD is in the process of moving from Division II to Division I, however, so the Tritons will be ineligible for post-season championships during the transition.
Best LCM times (converted to SCY):
- 100 free – 57.57 (50.42)
- 200 free – 2:01.32 (1:46.41)
- 400 free – 4:14.06 (4:44.66)
- 800 free – 8:46.70 (9:50.14)
- 1500 free – 16:41.00 (16:21.37)
- 200 IM – 2:16.39 (1:59.99)
- 400 IM – 4:45.75 (4:11.66)
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByIUA2gAu-f/
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