Former Pac-12 Champion Cameron Craig Makes Return to Swimming at Drury University

by Riley Overend 58

October 19th, 2022 College, NCAA Division II, News

After two years away from the sport, former Pac-12 champion Cameron Craig is back swimming again at Drury University this season for his final season of collegiate eligibility. 

“It’s been great,” Craig said. “Two years off and been in the water for five weeks. The team is great, we train hard, and get the work done.”

He took a complete break from training during his two years off, instead working on boats, cars, and other short-term jobs in Florida. 

Craig was a budding star at Arizona State, showing serious promise by placing fifth in the 200-yard freestyle at the 2017 NCAA Championships as a freshman. His winning time of 1:31.71 in the 200 free at Pac-12s set a new meet record and ranked him as the eighth-fastest performer ever in the event. As a sophomore, he repeated as Pac-12 champion in the 200 free (1:33.09) before transferring to Ohio State in 2019. Craig didn’t finish his junior season in Columbus following two DUI arrests in early 2020. 

“It’s my last year of eligibility for the NCAA so I’m hoping to just do it right,” Craig said. “I owe it to myself.”

Drury is a combined Division II program located in Springfield, Missouri. The Panthers compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, where they placed 2nd last season behind the University of Indianapolis.

In last Friday’s win at Missouri State, Craig triumphed in the 50 free with a season-best time of 20.99. He dropped nearly half a second from his season debut of 21.44 just two weeks ago. Before then, the last time Craig swam the event was in November of 2020, when he clocked a 20.21. His lifetime best stands at a 19.50 from 2017. He might need to shave off another second from his season-best time in order to final at the D-II Championships, but his early improvements are a good sign. 

Craig also swam the opening leg on Drury’s victorious 400 free relay team (46.04 split) and led off the 400 medley relay with a 50.25 backstroke split to help the squad place third. The last time he swam the 100 back was in November of 2019, when he posted a time of 47.62. His lifetime best is a 47.33 from his senior year of high school in 2016. 

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coachmo
2 years ago

Good Luck Cameron!
– A swim fan

Alex Wilson
2 years ago

I saw him swim at ASU and wish him all the best in getting “back in the water”!

Mike
2 years ago

I saw him at OSU. He was excellent until he ran into his problems. I wish him the best but how can he have any eligibility? To swim in the 2017 ncaa’s didn’t he swim in 2016? That would be six years wouldn’t it? He didn’t take any red shirt year did he?

Admin
Reply to  Mike
2 years ago

D2 has different rules. Unlike D1, in D2 your clock can start and stop if you’re not enrolled as a full-time student.

Mike
Reply to  Braden Keith
2 years ago

oh ok thanks for the info.

BearlyBreathing
2 years ago

Everyone deserves a chance at redemption. I hope he will put in a serious effort and end his collegiate swimming career on a strong note. He could do some serious damage in Div2 with his pbs. And doesn’t Drury also have that outstanding Polish sprinter? Look out freestyle relays. Best of luck to Mr. Craig.

College Swimmer
Reply to  BearlyBreathing
2 years ago

The Polish sprinter you’re thinking of is Karol Ostrowski (18.9/41.2). He’s not currently on Dury’s roster. Rumor is he flunked out of school and is permeantly living in Poland. Would make sense – he was academically ineligible the entirety of last year until the 2nd day of the GLVC championships.

Mission confirmed
Reply to  College Swimmer
2 years ago

This is confirmed. School wasn’t for him.

College Swimmer
Reply to  Mission confirmed
2 years ago

Nice guy and amazing swimmer, just not the best in the classroom

Pennsylvania Tuxedo
2 years ago

Love to hear a comeback story. Best of luck this season!

HereToCheer
2 years ago

Love to see someone grow from their mistakes and try again! He has the potential to be a remarkable leader to many people.

Dor Hol
2 years ago

Excited for my fav swimmer to kick some ass. Prove all these haters wrong cam. You’re a legend in my eyes! Much love Cam💚

James
2 years ago

My guess is he’s reasonably committed to getting a degree and doing his best to contribute to the team. He certainly not coming back because he expects to be National Champion I’d guess…it’s hard to come back from that long of a layoff. In terms of previous issues, swimmers much more famous have had similar substance abuse issues and still been allowed to compete and earn

Xman
Reply to  James
2 years ago

We had guys like that at the college I went to in several sports.

You will be surprised the drive they have to not only step up for the team but win. I’m expecting some shocking drops from him during mid season and a big drop at conference.

Would not be surprised at finals spot.

DMSWIM
Reply to  James
2 years ago

Two years off isn’t that much when you are in your 20s, especially if he was staying otherwise active. Also, training 20+ hours a week can get you back into shape quickly. I think he has a shot at a D2 national championship.

Unknown Swammer
Reply to  DMSWIM
2 years ago

Fully agree on this. That kind of talent/base doesn’t just disappear – plenty of time to get back to D2 title contender shape.

About Riley Overend

Riley is an associate editor interested in the stories taking place outside of the pool just as much as the drama between the lane lines. A 2019 graduate of Boston College, he arrived at SwimSwam in April of 2022 after three years as a sports reporter and sports editor at newspapers …

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