Olympic Trials-Qualifying Sprinter Anna-Julia Kutsch Transferring to Tennessee

Anna-Julia Kutsch has announced her intention to transfer to the University of Tennessee from Auburn, where she is currently finishing up her sophomore year.

“Words cannot express how grateful and joyous I am to be able to say that I have verbally committed to continue my education and swimming career at the University of Tennessee!!! I cannot thank @o_grossmann enough for the continued support throughout some trickier times, my parents and brother for supporting me unconditionally, my friends for always being there for me and believing in me, all the other coaches who graciously also offered me incredible opportunities, and last but not least the staff and every woman at @vol_swim for helping me find one of my most prized possessions, my love for swimming. Go Vols!! 🧡🤩”

The Birmingham, Alabama native graduated from Altamont High School in 2019 and headed to Auburn University as part of the class of 2023. Midway through her sophomore season with the Tigers she quit the team. Kutsch told SwimSwam in January, “I had to quit practicing with the team December 8th [2020] for health-related reasons. I handed in my letter of resignation on January 8th, following notice from the school that my stipend was being discontinued.”

Auburn’s loss is Tennessee’s gain. Kutsch is a talented sprinter who was one of Auburn’s best assets in the 50/100 free and on relays. She went from high school PBs of 22.8/50.0 in the 50/100 free to 22.0/49.3 in her freshman year, placing 7th in the 50 free at SECs and qualifying for the 2020 NCAA Division I Championships. She split 21.15 on the Auburn 200 free relay that won the SEC title last season, and she was the anchor on the 7th-place 200 medley relay.

Tennessee has been a magnet for transfers over the last two recruiting cycles. The Vols picked up three women from other programs this season: Cassidy Bayer (from Cal), Claire Nguyen (from Arizona State), and Kristen Stege (from East Carolina). Emma Carlton (from Texas A&M) plans to begin in the fall of 2021.

Top SCY Times:

  • 50 free – 22.09
  • 50 free relay split – 21.15
  • 100 free – 49.30

Top LCM Times:

  • 50 free – 25.71
  • 100 free – 57.60

 

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Natalie Wilson
3 years ago

This is awesome!! Talent needs to be honored and respected to grow. What a true leader spirit!!

Old Swimmer
3 years ago

This is wonderful for Tennesee as they already have a great women’s swim team. However, I am just curious; how many people can be on the team? Tennessee will have a huge roster! Another thing, only 18 people can go to the NCAA Championships, correct? May great swimmers could miss out

Notaswimmer
Reply to  Old Swimmer
3 years ago

The culture rewards the entire team and as hard as it is those that don’t travel/make championship roster seem to buy in as well. They are critical to the culture and training atmosphere. Also, swimmers with good grades/test scores coming in are eligible foe merit scholarships which helps spread out scholarship money.

Swimmer
3 years ago

How do they have enough scholarship money for all the girls?

VFL
Reply to  Swimmer
3 years ago

McDonalds 😉

Vol
Reply to  Swimmer
3 years ago

The team culture pays for part of it.

BAMA BACKER
3 years ago

What’s the name of that coach in Pittsburgh? I think it’s time for Johnny to come marching home.

War Damn
3 years ago

Thank you, next! Happy for you AJ and proud of you for making the right decision for you. Ready for the rest of the issues with the AU coaching staff to come out after SECs

Hswimmer
3 years ago

Good choice

Swimmer
3 years ago

Fire Gary!

SwimFani
3 years ago

Great get for the girlVOLS! Why dont the menVOLS get theirs?

Swim mom
Reply to  SwimFani
3 years ago

I want to know the answer to that questions as well

About Anne Lepesant

Anne Lepesant

Anne Lepesant is the mother of four daughters, all of whom swam in college. With an undergraduate degree from Princeton (where she was an all-Ivy tennis player) and an MBA from INSEAD, she worked for many years in the financial industry, both in France and the U.S. Anne is currently …

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