Griffin Hadley, Member of Nation-Leading 400 Free Relay, Commits to Tennessee

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Carmel, Indiana native Griffin Hadley has verbally committed to the University of Tennessee. Hadley is currently a high school junior and will join the Volunteers in the fall of 2021.

“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic careers at The University of Tennessee. I’d like to thank my family, teammates, coaches, and all the people who made this dream possible. Knoxville feels like home and I can’t wait to become part of the family in the fall of 2021. This team is on a mission and I can’t wait to be a part of the journey. Go Vols!”

As a sophomore last year, Hadley swam on Carmel High School’s men’s 400 free relay that broke the Indiana State Record and was the fastest high school time in the nation. His split of 44.92 was part of a 2:58.75 relay time that made them one of the few high school teams to ever go under 3 minutes in this race. The State Record they broke belonged to a Chesterton High School team that included National High School Record breaker Aaron Whitaker and Olympic gold medalist Blake Pieroni.

Hadley also split 21.81 on the butterfly leg of Carmel’s 200 medley relay, which was the fastest split at the meet.

Individually, Hadley finished 4th in the 100 free at the Indiana High School State Championship meet in 45.34. He is the early favorite at this year’s meet (pending any major entry changes) given that he was the only non-senior to finish in the top 10 of that event. He also finished 4th in the 100 back.

Hadley’s Best Times in Yards:

  • 50 free – 21.27
  • 100 free – 45.34
  • 200 free – 1:41.48
  • 100 back – 48.85
  • 200 back – 1:48.02
  • 100 fly – 50.43
  • 200 fly – 1:56.46
  • 200 IM – 1:54.09

Hadley is primarily a backstroker and sprint freestyler, but he’s good enough in butterfly and breaststroke (1:02.24 at a mid-season meet) to indicate that he has some future in the IM races as well, if he goes that route.

With still basically two full seasons of development before he arrives at Tennessee, Hadley will probably immediately slide on to the Volunteers’ 400 free relay in the fall of 2021, at least. That’s a 400 free relay that was 14th at NCAAs last year, but that had juniors and seniors on its 3 fastest legs, and so will be due for some rebuilding in 2020 and 2021.

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].

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Idk
3 years ago

He swims at my club his brother is in my group.

Shortswims
4 years ago

He will be exciting to watch throughout his career at Tennessee.

Greyhound
4 years ago

What a focused, hardworking swimmer this young man is and from a great family. The Vols got a great recruit in this young man. Congratulations Grif!

Bambi
4 years ago

Wow this guy could be fantastic! Great get for the boys Vols -FINALLY. Hey you TN recruiters get off yer duffs and keep recruiting great swimmers like this one.

Captain Obvious
4 years ago

Congrats, Griffin!

SEC Guy
4 years ago

Is it me or has there been A LOT of Tennessee commits?

VolFan
Reply to  SEC Guy
4 years ago

A LOT MORE to come based off of social media

Swim Baron
Reply to  SEC Guy
4 years ago

Both men and women have been on a recruiting tear. The men have a TON of guys coming in 2020- good ones too. This is a great start for 2021.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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