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Mark Ford, a Scottish swimmer who competes for Great Britain on the international stage, announced his commitment to Louisiana State University for the 2022-23 school year.
Ford competed at the 2021 European Junior Championships (LCM) last July, where he swam the 50/100/200 backstroke events. His best finish was in the 100 back, where he placed 10th in the semifinals with a time of 56.35.
He also swam at the British Swimming Selection trials last year, where he finished 17th in the 100 back, 13th in the 200 back, and 15th in the 100 fly.
In addition, Ford holds 9 Scottish age-group records across the 50 and 100 back in both long course and short course meters.
Best Times (Long Course Meters, Short Course Meters, Best Conversion to Short Course Yards):
| SCM | LCM | SCY (Converted) | |
| 50 back | 24.49 | 26.54 | 22.06 |
| 100 back | 52.97 | 56.00 | 47.72 |
| 200 back | 1:57.60 | 2:05.39 | 1:45.94 |
| 100 free | 50.37 | 52.98 | 45.37 |
| 200 free | 1:52.32 | 2:00.49 | 1:41.18 |
| 100 fly | 54.84 | 56.50 | 49.40 |
| 200 fly | 2:03.84 | 2:04.77 | 1:51:56 |
Ford’s converted 100 back time of 47.72 would rank him second on the team this season, behind Olympian junior Brooks Curry. His converted time would have placed 13th at SEC Championships last year.
Ford joins Stuart Higdon, Carson Paul, and Reese Voelkel as members of the LSU men’s class of 2026. Voelkel is also a backstroke specialist, as he is a U.S Open qualifier in the 100 and 200 back. Ford, Voelkel, and current freshman Griffin Curtis look to make up a young backstroke group at LSU and improve upon the 4 points the team scored in backstroke events at Southeastern Conference Championships (SECs) last year. Ford is the fastest of the bunch in the 100 back, with his converted best time being quicker than Curtis’s 47.87 and Voekel’s 48.3.
LSU is currently operating under new head coach Rick Bishop and looks to improve upon their ninth-place finish at SECs in 2021 with revamped recruiting.
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Nice pickup Saker!