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Distance freestyle and IM specialist Alejandro Varon has decided to continue his academic and swimming career at the University of Cincinnati, starting in the fall of 2025. Varon currently attends Windermere Prep in Florida and trains with the Windermere Lakers swim club. He holds school records in the 200 medley relay, 200 IM, 500 free, 200 free relay, and the 400 free relay.
“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to pursue my academic and athletic career at the University of Cincinnati! I would like to thank my coaches, teammates, friends and family for helping me get to where I am today and always pushing me to be better every day. I want to give a special thank you to my Mom, Dad, and little brother who have supported me since day one. I would also like to thank the UC coaching staff for giving me this incredible opportunity. Go Bearcats! 🔴⚫️🔴⚫️”
Varon was a finalist at the 2024 FHSAA Class 1A State Championship (SCY), where he placed 6th in the 500 free (4:35.75) and 7th in the 200 IM (1:52.82). The previous year, at the same Championship, Varon set a lifetime best in the 200 IM with a time of 1:52.79, placing 8th. Class 1A includes Florida’s smallest high schools, both private and public, yet it is home to some of the state’s fastest programs, like Bolles.
At the 2023 FL RAFC Almost Turkey Invitational (SCY), he placed 1st in the 200 free (1:42.68), 200 back (1:55.20), and 400 IM (4:00.78). His times in the 200 free and 200 back remain his lifetime bests.
Varon also achieved several personal bests at the 2023 FL HIGH Winter Classic (SCY). He placed 8th in the 500 free (4:34.13), 1st in the 1000 free (9:22.72), 15th in the 100 fly (51.63), 4th in the 200 fly (1:50.77), and 3rd in the 400 IM (3:56.19). All of these times are still his personal bests.
Varon qualified for the 2023 Speedo Winter Junior Championships East (SCY), where he swam his fastest mile time of 15:45.95.
Top SCY Times
- 200 Free – 1:42.68
- 500 Free – 4:34.13
- 1000 Free – 9:22.72
- 1650 Free – 15:45.95
- 400 IM –3:56.19
The University of Cincinnati placed 4th at the 2024 Big 12 Championships in their first year in the conference. Varon’s best time in the 400 IM (3:56.19) would have qualified him for the ‘B’ final at the Championship, while his fastest mile time would have ranked 12th overall. His top times in the 500 and 200 free would have earned him a spot in the ‘C’ final.
Last season, the top times for the 500 (4:23.23) and 1650 (15:19.33) at Cincinnati were held by Alex Gonzalez, who has since graduated. Sophomore Kyle Bumgardner posted the fastest 400 IM time with a 3:49.30. Varon’s best time in the 1000 free (9:22.72) would have ranked 3rd on the team last season, behind Gonzalez’s time of 9:20.60 and junior Ido Gal’s time of 9:15.36.
Varon will join Aiden Gerst, Connor Bennett, Roberto Zarate, Luke Garrett, Billy Connor, and Sawyer Tapp as part of the 2025 recruiting class. Connor could also help strengthen the distance and IM group with his times of 4:33.23 in the 500 free and 3:56.84 in the 400 IM. Garrett also shows strength in the 500 free with his time of 4:34.13, as does Zarate (4:34.96).
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