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Ohio high school state champion Julia Shafer, who originally verbally committed to Kentucky, has flipped her commitment to Penn State University for 2025. Shafer is a versatile swimmer, showing strength in both freestyle and medley events.
“I am thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to continue my swimming and academic careers at Penn State University! I want to thank my family, friends, and mentors for helping me achieve this goal! I would also like to thank my coaches at the Manta Rays and CHCA for all their support as well as the Penn State coaching staff for giving me this amazing opportunity!! I am so grateful that God put me on this path!! WE ARE!!! 💙🦁🤍”
Shafer, representing Cincinnati Hills Christian High School, achieved lifetime bests in the 400 IM (4:23.77) and 1650 free (17:42.07) at the 2025 Southwest Ohio High School Classic (SCY) in January, placing 2nd and 3rd, respectively. She also finished 2nd in the 100 free (51.32) and 6th in the 50 free (24.16).
In mid-February, Shafer posted a lifetime best in the 100 free (50.71) at the OHSAA SW District Championship (SCY), where she placed 1st. She also finished 1st in the 200 IM (2:02.70).
Less than a week later, Shafer became a three-time champion at the OHSAA State Championship Division II (SCY). She won the 100 free (50.77), 200 IM (2:01.71), and the 400 free relay, where she posted a split of 50.56.
Shafer recorded personal best times again at the OSI Senior Meet (SCY) in late February, including in the 50 free (23.60) as the leadoff swimmer for the Mason Manta Rays’ 200 free relay team, the prelims of the 200 free (1:50.19), and the 200 fly (2:03.89).
Individually, she placed 1st in the 100 free (51.07), 4th in the 200 free (1:51.01), 5th in the 200 fly (2:03.89), 10th in the 100 back (56.87), and 11th in the 100 fly (55.98) at the meet. Her performances in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 100 back, and 200 fly qualify her for the 2025 NCSA Summer Championships.
Top Yard Times
- 50 Free – 23.60
- 100 Free – 50.71
- 200 Free – 1:50.19
- 200 Fly – 2:03.89
- 200 IM – 2:01.71
- 400 IM – 4:23.77
Penn State finished 12th out of 14 teams at the 2025 Women’s Big Ten Championships. The previous year, they ranked 9th out of 12 teams. Shafer could be especially valuable for relays upon arrival. Her 100 free time would have tied for the 4th fastest for Penn State this season, while her 200 free would have been the 3rd fastest.
Shafer also holds a strong time in the 200 IM. The fastest time this season was held by fifth-year Margaret Markvardt (1:57.03), and the second-fastest time was set by junior Catherine Meisner (1:59.98), who had the fastest time in the 200 free this season as well (1:45.56).
Shafer will join Cyrah Robinson and Millie Evans as part of Penn State’s 2025 recruiting class. Robinson also shows strength in the 100 free (50.20) and 200 free (1:51.75).
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Anyone choosing to swim for this head coach, I hope they know what they are signing up for.
why the switch? Seems like a step backwards….
Not going to get cut at Penn State.
People are going to get cut at Penn State.
Most likely one of at least 2 Big Ten swim teams to be dropped in the very near future.
What other team do you think is getting cut?
This seems like a bad and uninformed “take” to suggest that women are going to get cut at Penn State. Currently, there are a potential of only 17 RETURNING swimmers and divers for next year from the current roster (graduating 6). They currently have an incoming 2025 recruiting class of just 3….which would bring the upcoming roster up to 20. And, last I saw they also had 1 in the transfer portal. So, any cuts for this year would seem very unlikely with a roster cap set at 30.
why only 3 incoming freshmen?
Whole program probably going to get cut eventually
Roster cuts
Penn State has a better national academic ranking and reputation than Kentucky. Swimming isn’t everything.
And at Kentucky, the team is much harder to make.