Florida Jumps into 2021 Recruiting with Verbal from #17 Micayla Cronk

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.

Three-time Florida High School Association state champion and 2019-20 USA Swimming Women’s National Junior Team member Micayla Cronk has elected to remain in-state and has verbally committed to the University of Florida for 2021-22. Cronk is the #17 girl on SwimSwam’s way-too-early list of top recruits from the high school class of 2021. A 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in the 100 free and 200 free, Cronk is currently attached to Blue Dolfins. Until the summer of 2018 she swam for Daytona Beach Swimming, then moved to Hydro4 Swimming last fall, then to Blue Dolfins this past summer. At 2019 U.S. Nationals, she finished 2nd in the D final of the 100 free (26th overall) while punching her ticket to Omaha with her first sub-56 (55.48). She was 22nd in the 200 free and swam a PB of 2:01.11, also under the 2020 Trials standard. She also clocked a personal-best 26.33 in the 50 free in Time Trials, coming within .34 of her third OT cut.

Cronk is a junior at Flagler Palm Coast High School. As a freshman she won the Florida 4A state title in the 100 free (49.58) and came in 9th in the 100 back (57.13). Last fall she won both the 100 free (49.43) and 200 free (1:46.68) at 4A States. A couple months later she lowered her PB in the 200 free to 1:46.42 swimming at Florida Swimming LSC Spring Senior Championships.

Best SCY Times:

• 200 free – 1:46.42
• 100 free – 49.43
• 50 free – 23.16
• 100 back – 55.85
• 200 back – 2:01.07

Cronk could be a big point-scorer for the Gators. She should provide firepower to a number of Florida’s relays and could develop into a 50-100-200 free triple threat. Cronk also has the potential to develop into a free/back sprint specialist. Florida have relied on Sherridon Dressel for sprint free and backstroke but this is her final year of eligibility. Dressel was the only Gator in the top-16 of the 100 free (48.73) at 2019 SEC Championships. Georgia Marris, then a senior, and Kelsey Dambacher, currently a senior, were A-finalists in the 200 free but they, too, will be gone by the time Cronk arrives. Isabella Garofalo and Kelly Fertel, who joined Dressel and Dambacher on the 4×100 free relay, are also seniors this year. Cronk will overlap one year with Taylor Ault, who scored in the C final of the 200 free but is mostly a distance freestyler. Florida could use some depth in the shorter freestyle events.

“Born into a family that bleeds orange and blue, my dream has always been to become a Florida Gator. I can now say, that dream has come true. After nine years of swimming, I am more than happy to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Florida to further my academic and swimming career. I want to thank all of my coaches that have paved the road to this amazing destination, all of my teammates who have stood by my side during the ups and downs, and the greatest of all, my family, who has been there every step of the way to love and support me. I also want to thank the colleges that took an interest in me, I am both honored and humbled. Go Gators!”

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 786-837-6880 or visit http://www.fitterandfaster.com/ to learn more.

FFT SOCIAL

Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour

Facebook – @fitterandfastertour

Twitter – @fitterandfaster

^{FFT is a SwimSwam partner.}