Paden Shipp Commits to NAIA Thomas University for 2021-2022

Paden Shipp from Lafayette, Louisiana announced his commitment in May to swim and study at NAIA Thomas University as a member of the class of 2025.

Shipp swims for City of Lafayette Aquatics (COLA) out of Lafayette, Louisiana. At the Louisiana Short Course State Championships in March 2021, he swam best times in the 200 breaststroke (2:16.90) and 100 (52.35) and 200 (1:56.88) butterflys. 

This summer, Shipp continued his time drops long course. In July, he set best times in the 100 freestyle (57.04), 200 breaststroke (2:42.41), 100 butterfly (59.76), 200 butterfly (2:17.47), and 200 IM (2:17.02). 

His best short course times are:

• 100 butterfly – 52.35
• 200 butterfly – 1:56.88
• 100 backstroke – 53.13
• 200 backstroke – 1:56.33
• 200 IM – 1:57.20
• 400 IM – 4:12.43

Thomas University is a private university located in Thomasville, Georgia. The school is a member of the Sun Coast Conference. 

At the 2020 Sun Coast Conference Championships, the Thomas men finished fourth out of five teams. The Thomas men also sent two swimmers to the 2020 NAIA Championships and finished in 16th place, scoring 33 points. 

Shipp has the potential to make an immediate impact for Thomas at the conference and national level. Based on his best times, at the 2020 conference meet, he would have made the A final in the 100 and 200 butterflys, 100 and 200 backstrokes, and 200 and 400 IMs.

At the 2020 NAIA Championships, his best times would have placed 15th in the 200 backstroke and 16th in the 400 IM. 

Shipp arrives on campus this fall along with Ethan Kilgore, Bace Hevey, and Chase Parman as members of the class of 2025.