SwimMAC Carolina and coach David Marsh continue to expand into the breaststroking business with the addition of former Ohio State swimmer Elliott Keefer to their Team Elite group. After finishing up his collegiate career in the spring, he was named as a late addition to the USA Swimming World Championship lineup in the 200 breaststroke. Considering the late timing of the move, his 18th place finish in 2:13.13 was respectable.
In the weakened American breaststroking group, the door is wide open for him to make the 2012 Olympic squad (though with Brendan Hansen’s resurgence in both the 100 and 200, that challenge becomes considerably tougher).
Six-months ago, SwimMAC didn’t have much in the way of a breaststroking group. Since that time, they’ve added former Auburn swimmer, and 2011 USA Swimming National Champion, Micah Lawrence and now Keefer. They’ve also developed a fantastic young 15-year old breaststroker named Maija Roses who is in line to be a star in the future. As a team, SwimMAC is really filling out it’s lineup of elite swimmers and gaining great momentum in attracting swimmers of all specialties and calibers, not just the sprinters that they’ve done such a great job with the past few years.
The full press release is below, unedited.
(Charlotte, N.C.) September 7, 2011 – Recent Ohio State graduate and U.S. National Team member Elliott Keefer has been announced as the newest member of Team Elite, the premier swim club for SwimMAC Carolina.
Keefer, a native of Loveland, Ohio, was a double major in art and history while swimming the 100 and 200 breaststroke for the Buckeyes.
The 2010 Big Ten 100-yard Breaststroke Champion is leaving his alma mater after a four-year career where he holds three school records, the 200 breast, the 400 medley relay and the 200 breast long course and earned six All-American Honorable Mention awards. Additionally, Keefer was an All-Big Ten selection in 2010 and three-time Academic All-Big Ten team member.
Ready to take his career to the next level, Keefer knows he owes much of his successes to Ohio State’s coaches Bill Wadley and Chris Peters.
“I love OSU. Coach Wadley and Peters have taken me from a no one out of high school to a national team member in just three years. They have prepared me to excel in my career now that I have graduated.”
“Elliott is one of the most coachable –teachable young men I have had the pleasure of working with,” said Wadley. “His work ethic coupled with his intelligence has allowed him to reach levels that most swimmers only dream of and we have enjoyed the opportunity to support and assist him in his development which has truly been a remarkable journey for all of us.”
Keefer, like so many of the swimmers who come to SwimMAC and Team Elite, got to know Head Coach and CEO David Marsh through U.S. National Team events. Keefer swam for Marsh in the 2010 Pan Pacific Team after placing third in the 2010 Conoco-Phillips U.S. National Championships in the 200 breast. Keefer’s 2:12.09 swim was the second-fastest swim in the event at the time.
“I enjoyed working with David at Pan-Pacs and I know he does great work with breaststokers. Now that swimming will be my only focus, not school or homework, I think this is the best choice to help me reach my goals.”
With the recent addition of Keefer’s OSU teammate Tim Phillips, Keefer is the sixth male U.S. National Team member to enlist with Marsh.
“This is going to be not only a great time for me, but all of Team Elite. When you surround yourself with greatness, you will only get better. The newer swimmers are ready to get in there and the veteran swimmers are looking refreshed. I think everyone is excited for the upcoming year.”
Keefer represented the U.S. National Team at the 2011 FINA Long Course World Championships in Shanghai, China earlier this year. Keefer has qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 100 and 200 breaststroke.
Coach Wadley knew Keefer would do big things over the next year as he prepares for the USA Olympic Trials.
“Elliott will always be a Buckeye in our hearts and we look forward to continuing our support and encouragement of him as he aspires to become a USA Olympian.”
