The Yale men have picked up a verbal from South Carolina distance freestyler Dirk Bell, adding to what is already a strong group for the Bulldogs.
Bell swims for Wando High School in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina as well as LTP Racing Club. He should be an immediate factor for Yale at the Ivy League Championships, holding scoring-level times of 15:35.09 in the mile and 4:27.43 in the 500.
Bell’s Top Times
500 Free: 4:27.43
1000 Free: 9:08.65
1650 Free: 15:35.09
400 IM: 3:58.28
200 Free: 1:40.82
Pending the more complex Ivy League acceptance process, Bell will spend his first year training with defending Ivy League 500 and 1000 champion Rob Harder, a current junior with the Bulldogs. Harder was also second in the conference in the 1650. That should be a huge area of strength for Yale, which was fourth in the Ivies last season.
Bell could also see some action in the 400 IM, and Yale may try to develop him as an option on its 800 free relay, where previous milers like Harder have made big contributions.
