Jordan Portela of Lawrence Free State High School and Kansas’ #1 male recruit for the class of 2017 has given his verbal commitment to the University of Minnesota.
Portela, the Kansas 6A high school state champion and state record-holder in the 100 butterfly and state champion in the 200 freestyle, will be the third Portela to swim for the Gophers following sister Chloe and brother Anthony, both Kansas high school state champions and butterfly specialists. A member of the Lawrence Aquahawks Swim Team, Portela has competed at Junior Nationals in butterfly, freestyle, and backstroke events.
Portela’s time in the 100 fly last season would have been the 4th-best on the Gophers squad for the entire season, and his 100 back and 200 freestyle times would have put him just out of the Gophers’ top-5 fastest times for the season. Because the 100 fly, 200 free, and 100 back are all on the same day of the Big 10 Championships, Portela will most likely be forced to drop the 200 freestyle in favor of the 200 fly or 200 IM in order to spread out his event schedule. Portela will be a contender for the 800 freestyle relay as well, which could earn him another night of racing come the Big 10 Championships.
Some of Portela’s best times include:
| Event | Time (SCY) |
| 100 Butterfly | 49.20 |
| 50 Freestyle | 21.39 |
| 100 Freestyle | 45.59 |
| 200 Freestyle | 1:39.76 |
| 100 Back | 51.69 |
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email to [email protected].
